Atlanta to improve pedestrian, cyclist safety

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed recently accepted a challenge from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to create safe roads for pedestrians and bicyclists in the city.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx called the city to action as part of the Mayor’s Summit for Safer People and Safer Streets, which is based on the USDOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation from 2010.

The changes require that convenient, safe walking and bicycling areas be made a priority in projects concerning transportation.

Adopting a Complete Streets policy is essential to the challenge. This policy includes convenient, safe walking and bicycling facilities, joins walking and bicycling with transportation systems, improves opportunities and conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, and creates safe, convenient facilities for these transportation methods.

“Connecting the city for cyclists and pedestrians delivers benefits across the board – health, safety, environmental, transportation and overall quality of life,”  Reed said. “This challenge comes at the right time for the city of Atlanta. The proposed infrastructure bond presents an unparalleled opportunity to improve bike and pedestrian access.”

Reed has created a Safer Streets Advisory Committee to keep the challenge on track. The committee consists of city staff,  City Council members and community representatives.