Are Bike Lanes Safe? Not for This Guy.

If you've ever been riding in a bike lane only to find it blocked by a car or some other obstruction, you'll sympathize with this guy. After getting a ticket for not riding in the bike lane, he proceeds to film himself running into every bike lane obstruction he could find with the last being too ironic. I wish we had enough bike lanes that you could get a ticket for not riding in the bike lane.

Pedestrians, Parking and Prospect Park

It's been a while since the last update. Today's post primarily focuses on Roswell and Alpharetta. There's been a lot going on lately especially in Alpharetta. Enjoy!

Roswell

City Considering Ways to Warn Drivers of Pedestrians - Roswell Neighbor

Build the Roswell Loop

This is the 18th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

It's not as prestigious as the Beltline but it sure would be nice to have.  The Roswell Loop idea has been around since at least 2006 and was championed by the city leadership.  Unfortunately, the idea was approved at precisely the wrong time... a la the Boutique Hotel.  The economy has put this one on hold.  

If you are unfamiliar with the concept, you can obviously take a look at the map and you can check out this article from C.I.C.L.E. that was originally published in the AJC.  I loved the quote, "The fundamental decision you have to make is whether your money is going to accommodate the four rush hours a day or the other twenty hours."

This project would help give identity to Roswell and it would help foster a much safer environment for cycling and encourage people who aren't bold enough to get out on the open road to get out on two wheels and go for a ride.

Connect the Big Creek Greenway

This is the 18th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

We really need to get on the ball here.  This greenway should be contiguous from Forsyth to SandySave & Close Springs.  The Forsyth section is well under way and we have completed the greenway just about down to Holcomb Bridge Rd.  As you can see from the map above, there is a conceptual piece of the greenway that is planned all the way down to the southwestern edge of Roswell where it would connect into Cobb county.

What are we waiting on here?  This one is a no brianer.. plus, I could then commute by bike all the way from the mill to Windward Parkway... well, that might be a bit much.

image: City of Alpharetta

Build the Bike Bridge

This is the 17th post in a series of posts this December that will chronicle the 25 things we would most like to see in Roswell. None of these are actually happening... at least in the way we'd like them to. Please enjoy and have a happy holidays!

We have a $3 million federal earmark for this bridge.  All Roswell needs is for Sandy Springs to commit $360k to the project.  Unfortunately, Sandy Springs has been waffling around on this one. I may not have the most up to date info on it but back in May, Sandy Springs mayor Eva Galambos reportedly said "Nobody in Sandy Springs rides bikes" when discussing the proposal.

I think this is a fantastic idea even with both cities needing to contribute matching funds of approximately $350k.  The enhanced connectivity will benefit both cities.  It will further connect the park system with potential recreation users and will offer a safer, healthier route to bike. 

image: City of Roswell

Does Pedestrian & Bicycle Commuting Exist in Roswell?

If you recall from our previous Smart Growth Roswell post, we posed the question "Are most of Roswell's residents able to walk or bike to work?"  As you probably know, one of the key components to successful new urbanism is walkability and connectivity.  We also think that the ability to safely ride a bike is integral to successful urbanism.  So, we wanted to take a look at these two forms of alternative transportation here in Roswell.  Primarily, we wanted to find out just how many of are walking or riding to work. 

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the most up to date statistics on this but rest assured that these numbers probably haven't changes significantly.  According to City Data, in 2000, only 0.1% of commutes in Roswell were by bicycle and 1.1% of commutes were by foot.  Additionally, 84% of commutes were made by solo drivers while another 11% were carpools.  I'd like to see up to date statistics but I think the story would be very similar.  Of course, bicycle awareness in Roswell has come a long way since 2000 just as it has all over the country but there still aren't too many individuals ready to brave the roads to commute to work.  There are also many neighborhoods that lack adequate sidewalks or bicycling facilities.  Now, just because people aren't walking or biking to work doesn't mean that they can't.  

So, to try and gauge where our community actually is, we took a look at a 2007 city survey.  The survey was sent to a sample of 1351 residents and 456 responded.  They were asked to rate their experience and satisfaction on 11 key livability metrics.  Ease of Bicycling in the City was rated as follows; Excellent 12%, Good 21%, Fair 37%, Poor 30%.  This was the largest percentage in the Poor category for any of the metrics that were surveyed.  Next worst were traffic flow/signal timing and ease of walking in the city at 25% and 19% respectively.  This screams loud and clear that we are not where we need to be when it comes to giving Roswell residents adequate alternatives to the automobile.  

That being said, not all is bad.  We are making good progress with the sidewalks with the Holcomb Bridge Rd. project, the connection of the Big Creek Greenway to the Alpharetta greenway and the Midtown streetscaping project.  Additionally, We also have multiple bike boxes.  The one pictured here is at the new Grimes Bridge/Oxbo intersection.  Here's a quick video from StreetFilms about bike boxes if you don't know what they are or how to use one.

Here's what we can look forward to in the future.  This is from the city's transportation plan. The vision for Roswell's bicycle and pedestrian plan consists of three components. 

1. Multi-Use trails along creek systems, parks, and natural areas. 

2. A “Roswell Loop” that establishes the premier bicycle and pedestrian corridors of the city and connects to every major park and civic resource. 

3. A “complete streets” approach on the key roads that connect to parks, neighborhoods, and schools.  

Additionally, Roswell is the only city in Georgia to be designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclists.  All in all, we are heading in the right direction but we still have a long way to go before any meaningful percentage of our residents will be able to walk or bike to work.  Let's keep working to get off of this car dependence.  

Other Resources

Bike Roswell

Roswell Bicycles

Roswell Cycling Festival

RAMBO (Roswell Alpharetta Mountain Biking Association)

Atlanta

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition

PEDS

Roswell Left Out of Top 50 Bicycling Cities

Although I only recently moved to Roswell, one of the things I noticed almost immediately was that the city supports cycling.  There is a bike box on Riverside Drive, ample signage on many cycling routes as well as a mayor supported weekly ride around town during the good weather months.  So, I was actually surprised to see that in a recent Bicycling.com ranking of the top 50 cycling cities in the US that Roswell was not on the list.  In fact, no cities in Georgia made the cut.  Maybe we were slighted because we have not been able to keep the Tour de Georgia race up and running.  The closest city on the list was Chattanooga. 

Cyclists shouldn't be discouraged though as the momentum is strong.  The recent Georgia Rides to the Capitol event had a strong showing.  Mayor Jere Wood, an avid cyclist, rode to the gold dome along with 1,200 other cyclists from Roswell and Decatur to show support for new legislation that would require automobiles to give three feet of clearance to cyclists.  That would be excellent and hopefully make the streets just a little safer.  If we keep pushing for positive things, eventually, we will get them.

New Urban Roswell Update

We're starting something new this week.  Our weekly post will take on a similar format as our old Peach Bites posts.  We will round up news related to new urbanism, smart growth and in some cases, green living from Roswell, Atlanta and beyond.  We are going through a backlog of news stories that we have accumulated over the past several months so please bear with us while we catch up.

Roswell

One large item to report here in Roswell from earlier this month is the groundbreaking of the midtown streetscape improvement project.  We haven't seen anything of note just yet but we can't wait to see the finished product in a year or so.

Sandy Springs, Roswell Eyeing New Bridge

This would be a big win for both communities. I'm hoping that Sandy Springs will kick in their half as their community will benefit from the bridge.

Roswell OKs Barrington Hall Stairway

I live in the mill neighborhood and see Barrington Hall every day. This will be a great addition to that well traveled intersection. It will bring more attention to the historic building and hopefully it will result in the city putting in sidewalks along the west side of 9 and the south side of 120 so that pedestrians will actually be able to get to the stairs.

Metro

There have been a few stories of note recently in Atlanta.  It's exciting that virtually all potential development these days has some sort of new urbanist, smart growth or TOD characteristics.  

GM Plant in Doraville Becomes Mixed Use Development - Atlanta Real Estate Forum

This could be huge. I'd wouldn't be surprised if it becomes something similar to an Atlantic Station on the north side of the city. One thing that makes it even better is the easy accessibility to MARTA. This is a great opportunity to showcase new urbanism concepts on a large scale in a part of the city where people will take notice. What a relief that a stadium isn't going in here.

Atlanta startup, Ridecell, on the move - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

Just another great way to use your mobile phone. Now if MARTA could just do something to entice regular people to ride the bus.

Beyond

CDC: People in sunny states happiest, New York least - USATODAY.com

I find it interesting that all of our neighboring states can be ranked so highly while we're coming in at 19. Florida #3, Tennessee #4, Alabama #9 and SC higher than us. What does that say about life in Atlanta?

Georgia Cities Vie for Google - GPB.org

This would certainly be an interesting move by Google. Three Georgia cities are in the running; Decatur, Savannah and Peachtree City. Wishful thinking that Roswell would be one of those three. I'm actually surprised that one of the North Fulton cities isn't in the running given the money that resides in the area.

Inspired Ethonomics: Portland, a Global Model of Transit-Oriented Development - Fast Company

I love the quick hit on TOD in this article. The point that you never want to design a city for one type of person is very important. You want young people, families and retirees of all ethnic backgrounds to be able to live in your community. A diverse community, just like a diverse ecosystem, is a healthy one.

Events

Alive After Five- 4/15 - This year's Alive After Five season kicks off on tax day.  

Dogwood Festival - 4/16 - 4/18 - The annual Dogwood Festival will be held in Piedmont Park.  This one is always a safe bet for a good time and you can appreciate Atlanta's largest park.

Inman Park Festival - 4/24 - 4/25 - The Inman Park Festival is Atlanta's largest festival.  We love this festival for many reasons but the fact that it is in the beautiful walkable neighborhood of Inman Park is probably the number one reason.  Inman Park is one of the few neighborhoods in Atlanta that exhibits many of New Urbanist characteristics.  Be sure to take MARTA if you go.   

Go Wild in Roswell - 5/20 - 6/6 - This is a citywide celebration of nature that will feature different events on different days.  Check out the link for details.

Atlanta Streets Alive - 5/23 - This one is still a little while away but it is a really interesting concept.  

May is National Bike Month

image by Francois Schnell

Hopefully all of you bike owners out there will take advantage of the nice weather we are having and participate in National Bike Month. I’m trying to pedal a couple of times a week to work even though Alpharetta isn’t all too bike friendly.

You might even want to incorporate biking into your regular weekly commute after May ends. It’s a great way to get some exercise and reduce your footprint.

Additional resources:

Clean Air Campaign Rewards Program

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Website

National Bike Month Website

SUV's Bad for Environment & Hearing

image courtesy of Tony the Misfit

Story via ObscureStore.com

Thankfully, this didn't happen here in Atlanta but having cycled around from time to time, I wouldn't put it past some of our drivers.  Anyway, the SUV driver hit the bicyclist in the face, then "took him to the ground, where he struck him some more with his hands, then bit off his ear," says the police report. "[The victim] stated the man then got up and spit his ear out at him," and drove away in his SUV.