Momentum!

Atlantans are coalescing around an even better Beltline. In March 2025, Mayor Andres Dickens focused Atlanta’s transit plans from Beltline rail on the Eastside to more impactful projects, and in August ABI CEO Clyde Higgs acknowledged that a rail line on the Eastside Trail “no longer makes sense”. Higgs revealed that the Beltline is looking into building a parallel path on the Eastside, while it examines alternatives to rail on the Beltline’s Southside. That followed BAT’s advocacy for the idea, as well as a May AJC column in which the leaders of four major nonprofits — each with a large stake in the Beltline — called for ABI to consider “wheels and heels.”

And you can see below that ordinary residents are letting their feeling known on the topic. Please join in by voicing your thoughts on Beltline 2.0 by clicking here and scrolling down to the form at the bottom of the page!

New path for heels: Yes! Create a new curvy, green path for heels. Many of the trees in the “rail” right of way can be saved, creating a shady and attractive path. – Tommy Barrow

Heels and Wheels! Density and usage of this wonderful linear park will only increase over the years. A parallel path that follows the topography and preserves the arboretum is critical: one for heels and one for wheels. Crushed slate trail mix that is pervious and ADA accessible would be ideal, similar to the EcoCommons at Georgia Tech. When the path needs to be elevated because of changing topography or stormwater runnels, recycled plastic decking materials (made from recycled Coca Cola and Dasani plastic bottles) would be ideal while also creating a circular economy. If enclosed vehicles are needed sometime in the future, leverage innovative transit technologies developed regionally that are flexible and can be easily sunset if they are no longer needed. Don't use inflexible, very expensive, old world 19th century steel wheel & rail technology. Atlanta is a city of the future, and should represent innovative low cost, low carbon transit technologies. Let's use our resources wisely.  – Howard Wertheimer

Embrace the Future Now: I’ve always maintained the position of BAT before BAT even existed. It makes no sense logistically or financially to implement clunky 1800’s tech into the modern world when so many proven new transportation technologies are on line available now , very safe and reliable at a fraction of the cost.  –  Ken Taber

Continue Ryan Gravel's original vision: Atlanta needs to move ahead with the rail line that Mayor Dickens supported during his campaign. If Atlanta doesn’t move forward with Ryan Gravel's original vision of transportation we will cease to attract new growth & quality of life will diminish. – Claudia Hicks

Parallel paths: Yes, separate wheels and heels. I know of almost no similar path in other cities that doesn't, if only with marked lanes. I'd opt for a parallel, curvy, scenic pedestrian path, hard surfaced to accommodate slow-moving mobility aids like wheelchairs (although I haven't seen any on the current path, I'd hate to rule out the option). I'd say no to autonomous pods; keep the current concrete path for recreation. I'd also like to see it free of motorized devices, but scooters probably make that impractical. – Roger Bakeman

Beltline High Speed Lane: I was wondering if the PATH has looked at the feasibility of a parallel bike lane on the east side beltline for higher-speed wheeled vehicles. As Mayor Dickens has just killed the streetcar extension, there is a unique opportunity to use that right of way to create a safer, more efficient east side beltline. Me and my friend were thinking of starting an official advocacy group for this, but are trying to understand the current landscape of the proposal/idea.  – Michael Fraunberger

Beltline Safety: Even though the Beltline is just a few blocks from my home, I can't truly enjoy it without constantly worrying about safety. I've had multiple close calls with scooters and e-bikes, and witnessed several accidents firsthand. A straightforward and effective solution would be to widen the pedestrian path and add a dedicated lane to separate foot traffic from wheels. This change is not just practical. It’s crucial for everyone’s safety. – Matt Eckmann

Beltline 2.0: The new parallel path should be designed with gentle curves and scenic views to minimize tree loss and enhance the walking experience. The surface of the pedestrian path should be mde of crushed stone, providing a natural look and comfortable footing while keeping wheeled vehicles off that part of the trail. To ensure safety and separation, wheeled vehicles should be restricted to a dedicated “wheels” path, keeping pedestrian areas clear and calm.  Using clear signage, subtle landscaping, and natural barriers (like low shrubs or decorative fencing) will gently guide people along the intended route for the mode of transportation they prefer. I’m especially excited about the introduction of autonomous pods on the wheeled path, which will add an innovative and efficient transportation option. – Katharine Chestnut

Beltline 2.0: We need a Beltline that separates wheels and heels. The current Beltline is a gem that is on the verge of being seriously tarnished. Any casual observer knows that bikers and motorized vehicles endanger Beltline pedestrians and runners on a daily basis because they often speed and don't pay attention to those around them. Putting up signs won't help much, but separate paths will. It would be tragic if it takes a fatality before the situation is addressed. It's dire now. – Jay Miller

Beltline 2.0: As a frequent Beltline user, I completely agree with the concept of a separate path for bicycles, E-bikes, and anything going more than 10-ish miles/hour - the walkers, joggers and runners are frequently in danger of collisions when sharing the path with wheels. The thought of fixed rail in addition to pedestrians and cycles on the BeltLine is nonsensical; in addition, there is absolutely no need to extend the useless existing streetcar system to OR onto the Beltline. The streetcar should be mothballed and the resources formerly dedicated to supporting it reallocated to more useful and inexpensive forms of public transportation. – Jennifer Bentson

Separate heels and wheels: In its current state the Beltline is becoming a poor transportation choice for both pedestrians and riders. I do not ride on it anymore except in inclement weather when there are fewer walkers. I still walk it, but am constantly nervous about being hit or someone else being hit. I am grateful that this group is leading an effort to reclaim the Beltline from its own success. Separating wheels and heals would reclaim its transportation potential for both walkers and riders. – Scott Ball

East Side Trail Path Improvements: The East Side trail would benefit from a new separate path for pedestrians only. Specifically a winding curved path to preserve existing trees as much as possible. Paved would allow users of wheelchairs to commingle with walkers and joggers. The existing path would be reserved for bikes, scooter, skateboards, uniwheels and other wheeled devices. Limit the speed to 8 mph and install signs that show riders speed that could flash when they exceed 8 mph. – Chris Dyrda

Wheels and Heels: I have long felt that it is not safe to have cyclists and walkers on the same path. This is especially true given the increase in the number of ebikes and scooters. It would be a beautiful thing to have an alternative path that was curvy, tree lined and unpaved, much like the pedestrian paths in European cities. Having a path that is not paved but lined with a crushed aggregate with be friendlier toward trees and shrubs. I am disinclined to allow autonomous pods on the wheels path and I do favor speed limits. I am not sure how popular trails in other major cities have managed enforcement, APD on bikes comes to mind. Atlanta has a reputation for not being a pedestrian friendly place, we can change that. – Susan Edgett

Plan for the future, Don't Dwell on the Past: Mass Transit is evolving fast. Streetcars, to buses, to dedicated bus lanes, and next to autonomous vehicles. Let's not go backwards. Autonomous vehicles will eventually become the cheapest, fastest form of mass transit. They will be able to pick up riders with little wait time exactly where they want and take them precisely to their destination for the lowest cost per ride and taxpayer investment. So let's plan to use the Beltline for wheels, and separately for pedestrians. – Chris Dydra

Please keep making Atlanta better: Traffic is absolutely ruining Atlanta. The only real solution to help this is to give people another mode of transportation besides driving. Obviously MARTA needs to be expanded and the beltline is a great step towards improving transportation and opening up the public’s eye to what alternative modes of transportation can do for this city. Beltline rail would be a massive help in reducing traffic, improving mobility, and improving the public perception of public transportation. Whether or not that happens, something needs to be done about the mixed use of walking and bikes/scooters. It is anarchy to have them combined on a crowded mixed use path and I see people colliding almost on a daily basis out there. I don’t know of any path in America that is that dysfunctional, mixing pedestrians and bikers in such a dangerous manner. A separate walking path, bike lanes, more police presence, signage, rules or anything would be an improvement.  – Connor Donahue

Too Dangerous For Me: I have friends seriously injured on the Beltline. In one case the perpetrator just kept going. Before they were injured, I had stopped even thinking about walking down the Beltline during peak times. I am not alone as many of my 55+ friends no longer will walk down the Beltline no matter what time of day it is. I hope that this common sense "wheels and heels" approach of adding a walking only path to address a very real safety issue can be accomplished and allow all people to once again enjoy it. - Will Johnson