Beltline must address growing congestion on Eastside Trail
An injury suffered by a young girl last week in a collision with a bicycle highlights a safety challenge on the Atlanta Beltline.
The comments accompanying a NextDoor post by the victim's father make it clear that this was not an isolated incident.
As a nonprofit organization seeking to enhance equitable, efficient and safe mobility within the city, Better Atlanta Transit is urging Atlanta Beltline Inc. to address these hazards swiftly and energetically.
This is a classic victim-of-its-own-success problem: Pedestrians, cyclists and others have grown the Beltline into a transportation corridor on a scale similar to many major roadways. According to traffic counts by the PATH Foundation, some 5,000 people travel the Beltline daily at several points on the Eastside Trail. The anticipated influx of tens of thousands of international visitors for next year’s World Cup games demands that the growing hazard of pedestrian-vehicle collisions be resolved.
We propose four stopgap measures, in addition to a more far-reaching trial that could be put in place by the end of this year. The four stopgap measures are:
To install speed limit signs for wheeled vehicles and “keep right” signs for pedestrians, particularly along portions of the Eastside Trail that are frequently congested.
To ensure that rented bikes and scooters include mechanical governors that limit their speeds.
To employ non-enforcement “goodwill ambassadors,” similar to Central Atlanta Progress’ Ambassador Force. They’re role would be to educate visitors on rules and safety, to encourage people to follow the rules, and to extend the eyes and ears of law enforcement.
To work with the Atlanta Police Department to increase the enforcement of safe behavior along the Beltline.
The more far-reaching trial would entail installing a parallel path that separates bikes, scooters and other micromobility vehicles from pedestrians, wheelchairs, dogs and other slower-paced travelers. This “wheels and heels” approach has been used successfully along popular trails in other cities.
Mayor Andre Dickens’ decision to prioritize more equitable transit projects to the south and west over a streetcar along the popular Eastside Trail provides an opportunity for ABI to test wheels and heels along the busiest stretch of the Beltline. There is no reason for this valuable corridor to remain cordoned off from current users while this safety hazard remains unaddressed.
