GET IN THE GREEN LANE

Atlanta selected for protected bike lane project

Out of 60 applicants, the city of Atlanta is one of only six national cities selected to participate in the Green Lane Project, which works with U.S. cities to speed the installation of protected bike lanes around the country.

These on-street lanes are separated from traffic by curbs, planters, parked cars or posts to make riding a bike an appealing option for more people. Other cities selected for the Green Lane Project include Boston, Denver, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Seattle.

Over the next two years, the city of Atlanta plans to launch its first bike share program that will include approximately 50 stations and 500 bikes. Plans are underway to build miles of multi-use trails, bike lanes, and cycle tracks.

“Over the next three years, Atlanta will add 120 miles of bicycle lanes, multi-use trails, and cycle tracks. Along with the rollout of a bike share system in 2015, we believe bicycling will become an increasingly popular way to get around Atlanta,” said Commissioner James E. Shelby, Department of Planning and Community Development.

“The Green Lane Project gives our planning staff direct access to international industry experts who have been doing this work for over 40 years,” said Atlanta Director of Planning, Charletta Wilson Jacks.

The city hopes to double the bicycle commute to work from 1.1 percent to 2.2 percent and double the miles of high-quality bicycle lanes and protected bicycle facilities to 60 miles, both by 2016.

Atlanta was one of six cities chosen to participate in the Green Lane Project, which helps speed the installation of protected bike lanes, like the one pictured here on West Peachtree.

Volunteers gathered in Downtown on Earth Day last month, April 22, to prepare planters that will be placed along the Atlanta Streetcar route. The effort is an extension of e Da odil Project, which started last autumn in Woodruff Park, as a way to remember children lost in the Holocaust. For more, visit daffodilproject.net.

e Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable convenes once a month to discuss the region’s current environmental issues – from water to energy, urban planning to policy and much more. Members of the audience are encouraged to ask questions, make comments, network and learn about Atlanta’s current and future opportunities for sustainable development. The next meetings are May 2 and June 6 at 7:30 a.m. (doors open at 7 for networking) at All Saints Episcopal Church, Ellis Hal, 634 West Peachtree St. For more information, visit southface.org/sart.

Park Pride has announced 10 recipients for the 2014 Inspiration Awards during the Parks and Greenspace Conference, recognizing leadership that has led to tangible results in parks and greenspaces in Atlanta. Nine of the Inspiration Award winners were commended for their participation as citizen advocates for Historic Fourth Ward Park: Judy Clements, Marie Cowser, Bill Eisenhauer, Jacqueline Echols, Ph.D., Derek Matory, David Patton, John Perlman, Markham Smith, and Cedric Stallworth. The tenth award-winner, Ellen Wickersham, has been a transformational change agent with Invest Atlanta since 2004 through her role as Senior Project Manager, Parks and Greenspace Acquisition. Over the decade, Wickersham facilitated the acquisition of 500 acres of new parkland in the City of Atlanta. Her passion for parks is evident through her role on Park Pride’s Board of Directors and as a member of the Parks and Greenspace Conference Committee. Though she is moving on from her position with Invest Atlanta, she will remain active and involved in parks and greenspace issues.