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City of Atlanta Accepts U.S. DOT Challenge to Significantly Improve Safety for Bicycle Riders, Pedestrians Over the Next Year
Mayor’s Office of Communications
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2500 • Atlanta, Georgia 30303
|
Anne Torres, Director |
Jenna Garland, Press Secretary |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 11, 2015
News Release
City of Atlanta Accepts U.S. DOT Challenge to Significantly Improve Safety for Bicycle Riders, Pedestrians Over the Next Year
ATLANTA – Mayor Kasim Reed announced today that the City of Atlanta has joined the Mayor’s Summit for Safer People and Safer Streets. This call to action from Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx is based on the 2010 USDOT Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodationto incorporate safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities into transportation projects.
To lead this year-long Challenge, Mayor Reed has created a Safer Streets Advisory Committee co-chaired by Melissa Mullinax, his senior advisor and Rebecca Serna, Executive Director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. The full committee will include community representatives, members of the Atlanta City Council and City staff with expertise in planning and public works.
A key component of the Challenge is the adoption of a Complete Streets policy which incorporates safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities into transportation projects; improves conditions and opportunities for walking, and bicycling; integrates walking and bicycling into transportation systems; and provide safe and convenient facilities for these modes.
“Connecting the city for cyclists and pedestrians delivers benefits across the board – health, safety, environmental, transportation and overall quality of life,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “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.”
The City of Atlanta has made significant strides toward the goal of making cycling an integral part of daily life for Atlanta residents, workers and visitors. Mayor Reed recently signed a bike share agreement with CycleHop, the bike share Operator, and its partners Social Bicycles and local firms Center Forward and Iconologic. The city’s premier bicycle sharing program will launch with 500 bicycles and 50 rental stations throughout the city by the end of the year.
People for Bikes chose Atlanta for their highly competitive Green Lane Project. As one of six U.S. cities poised to be national leaders in installing protected bike lanes, the city receives financial, strategic and technical assistance to create low-stress streets and increase vitality in urban centers through the installation of protected bike lanes.
Atlanta’s participation in the Safer People and Safer Streets Challenge aligns perfectly with the Mayor’s goal to double bicycle to work commuters and increase the total miles of bicycle lanes to 60.