Advocates plan human bike lane Wednesday in Midtown to protest e-scooter death

[seussie]

I heard things went peacefully. Good.

[jsvh]

Yeah, it was a well done event. Both Atlanta and MARTA police were there and helped support by blocking the start of the lane so cars could not drive right into people. However, they did have us stay kind of bunched up so the buses would still have a place to stop at the end of the block (which, makes you question why they even keep the bus bay around at Arts Center station since it is easier for buses to just pickup at the curb). But if we didn't have to bunch up it likely would have stretched a few blocks.

Most drivers were supportive too. Waving and cheering. Some a-holes that feel a need to get close and rev their engine and try to speed off (usually only a few dozen feet before having to stop again).

A few things about the incident that killed the father at that intersection I didn't realize: It is right where the sidewalk is closed by construction of the new Hampton Inn highrise. CoA did not want to sidewalk closure approved without closing a traffic lane being converted to use for pedestrians. GDOT approved the closure and does not offer any alternatives for pedestrians besides crossing the street. The construction fencing also intrudes into the traffic lane resulting in it to be narrowed. Those were likely all key factors in the death.

GDOT also did not approve the buffered bike lanes that were planned and funded via CoA's TSPLOST. Atlanta did not push it and just redirected the funds elsewhere (you know, to things like the stadium bridge).

The most useful thing people can do to help is contact GDOT:

We need to contact GDOT and tell them you want action taken to make West Peachtree Street safe for all forms of mobility, and urge them to provide protected temporary sidewalks during construction closures, especially at 15th and W. Peachtree.
• GDOT District 7 Engineer
• Name Kathy Zahul
• Number (770) 216-3810
• Email address kzahul@dot.ga.gov
• GDOT Board member
• Name Stacey Key
• Number (404) 310-5040
• Email address skey@dot.ga.gov
• GDOT Chief Engineer
• Name Meg Pirkle
• Number (404) 631-1004
• Email address mpirkle@dot.ga.gov
• GDOT on social media
• Twitter @GDOTATL
• Facebook.com/GDOTMETROATL

Contacting your city council members letting them know you support multimodal transportation options is useful too.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by jsvh

A few things about the incident that killed the father at that intersection I didn't realize: It is right where the sidewalk is closed by construction of the new Hampton Inn highrise. CoA did not want to sidewalk closure approved without closing a traffic lane being converted to use for pedestrians. GDOT approved the closure and does not offer any alternatives for pedestrians besides crossing the street. The construction fencing also intrudes into the traffic lane resulting in it to be narrowed. Those were likely all key factors in the death.

The city of Atlanta says you are not supposed to block sidewalks for an extended period of time. They set out the procedures for providing covered sidewalks during construction, however, I don't see them being implemented all that often.

https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showdocument?id=37983

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by arjay57

The city of Atlanta says you are not supposed to block sidewalks for an extended period of time. They set out the procedures for providing covered sidewalks during construction, however, I don't see them being implemented all that often.

https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showdocument?id=37983

Because CoA Public Works sucks.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by arjay57

The city of Atlanta says you are not supposed to block sidewalks for an extended period of time. They set out the procedures for providing covered sidewalks during construction, however, I don't see them being implemented all that often.

https://www.atlantaga.gov/home/showdocument?id=37983

City of Atlanta does whatever the builders want without any consideration of citizens.

It really is unnecessariy hazardous on that corner. There's no need to block off that whole sidewalk.