Westview Dr Cycle Track removed (Atlanta, Shiloh: daycare, school, live in)

[JPD]

“Most people feel like these bikes lanes are not for the people here,” he said. “It's for the people to come.”

Shudder! God forbid we be proactive and do anything to plan for future needs. Just what we need in elected office: People who can't see beyond their own nose.

[arjay57]

And there was something else about it that bothered the church and the community.

“Most people feel like these bikes lanes are not for the people here,” [Whitfield] said. “It's for the people to come.”

With the trail connecting to the BeltLine, he said, it became a symbol of gentrification.

Although I am strongly in favor of protecting our cyclists, I have to admit that Rev. Whitfield has a point.

Apparently there was no public engagement before the bike lanes were built. And why does REI suddenly have an interest in the area? Do they have any history of participating in the community?

Do you know how much use these bike lanes were getting, cq?

[atlHawks]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Although I am strongly in favor of protecting our cyclists, I have to admit that Rev. Whitfield has a point.

Apparently there was no public engagement before the bike lanes were built. And why does REI suddenly have an interest in the area? Do they have any history of participating in the community?

Do you know how much use these bike lanes were getting, cq?

So let's be closed minded and not come together as one. Bravo.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by cqholt

And he's running for District 4 Council seat, following in the current District 4 Councilmembers ignorant ways.

Looks like I'll have to donate money to his opponent.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Although I am strongly in favor of protecting our cyclists, I have to admit that Rev. Whitfield has a point.

Apparently there was no public engagement before the bike lanes were built. And why does REI suddenly have an interest in the area? Do they have any history of participating in the community?

Do you know how much use these bike lanes were getting, cq?

Do we have proof, other than the minister of the church who pressure city leaders to remove the infrastructure, that there were no input meetings? It sounds to me he is upset the church didn't get their own 'special' meeting, because God forbid they attend public meetings outside of their doors. An open records request will show if there were meetings or not.

I cannot speak on the use of the lanes, but ABC published stats that since installation crash rates have dropped.

Data from the City of Atlanta shows that in the past year that the bike lane existed, crashes (car, bike, pedestrian) decreased 38%! Even more compelling, crashes that caused serious injuries fell 68%!

Westview Bike Lane Removed?! - Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
Those stats are eye popping enough to warrant keeping the infrastructure.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Do we have proof, other than the minister of the church who pressure city leaders to remove the infrastructure, that there were no input meetings? It sounds to me he is upset the church didn't get their own 'special' meeting, because God forbid they attend public meetings outside of their doors. An open records request will show if there were meetings or not.

No, I'm just taking the man at his word. If there were meetings and they ignored them that obviously weakens the Reverend's assertion.

Be that as it may, you and I both know there is an art to public engagement, particularly when it comes to potentially sensitive subjects. It may be necessary to go beyond tacking a sign up or posting on a website.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

No, I'm just taking the man at his word. If there were meetings and they ignored them that obviously weakens the Reverend's assertion.

Be that as it may, you and I both know there is an art to public engagement, particularly when it comes to potentially sensitive subjects. It may be necessary to go beyond tacking a sign up or posting on a website.

Did the reduction in car crashes and serious injury crashes not benefit the residents too?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Did the reduction in car crashes and serious injury crashes not benefit the residents too?

You are preaching to the choir, cq. Protected lanes obviously make cyclists safer.

However, that doesn't address the question of how much this community was using these bike lanes.

Nor does it address their concerns about gentrification and the feeling that these bike lanes were built mainly for the benefit of people to come instead of those who are already there.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

You are preaching to the choir, cq. Protected lanes obviously make cyclists safer.

However, that doesn't address the question of how much this community was using these bike lanes.

Nor does it address their concerns about gentrification and the feeling that these bike lanes were built mainly for the benefit of people to come instead of those who are already there.

How would protected lanes not benefit low income residents who may have no other choice than to ride a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.
This is where that stigma of a cyclists only being a middle aged, white man on expensive bikes with spandex.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

How would protected lanes not benefit low income residents who may have no other choice than to ride a bicycle as their primary mode of transportation.
This is where that stigma of a cyclists only being a middle aged, white man on expensive bikes with spandex.

Again, you are making your case to the wrong person, cq.

What you've said is what cycle advocates should have been saying at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and talking up in the Westview community.