In 2021 we shared an Equity and Mobility policy agenda representing policy changes we would advocate for during the term of 2021-2025. In 2023 we'll focus on four priorities.

2023 policy and infrastructure agenda

Create subsidy program to make e-bikes affordable

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Adopt Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) as the standard and use signal timing to create safer crossings, starting with schools and transit stops

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Ensure the City of Atlanta's Department of Transportation delivers projects & maintains bike/LIT lanes by fully funding its operations

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Improve MARTA bus service through network redesign and More MARTA projects to make it frequent and reliable

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Create subsidy program to make e-bikes affordable 

Image: Edison Bicycles

Electric-assisted bicycles (e-bikes) are proven to shift cities from dependence on driving to a more sustainable transportation future. E-bikes provide physical activity to improve health, reduce air pollution and congestion, make hilly cities more accessible to people with health challenges or long distances to travel, and are more affordable than owning a car. However, they are too expensive for many people to afford. Communities across the U.S. are creating subsidy or rebate programs to make e-bikes more affordable. 

Status: The Atlanta City Council adopted legislation creating a working group to establish an e-bike affordability program for Atlanta. 

 

 

Adopt Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) as the standard and use signal timing to create safer crossings, starting with schools and transit stops

Image: Propel ATL

People are at increased risk of being hit by drivers while walking and using wheelchairs. The risk is even greater near transit stops, as people try to catch infrequent buses. What’s more, dangerous streets are concentrated in communities most impacted by ongoing racial injustices, systemic oppression, and racial disparities.

Installing Leading Pedestrian Intervals, starting with areas with high rates of pedestrian crashes, schools, and near transit hubs and bus stops, would make people walking safer. 

Take Action: Leading Pedestrian Intervals

 

 

 Ensure the City of Atlanta's Department of Transportation delivers projects & maintains bike/LIT (Light Individual Transportation) lanes by fully funding its operations 

Image: Propel ATL

The Atlanta Department of Transportation was established in November of 2019. While the budget increased last year, it is significantly less than that of peer cities like Oakland, CA. This limits the department's ability to accomplish its goals, deliver the hundreds of promised new and overdue projects from major complete street projects to traffic calming, and routinely maintain infrastructure including bike/Light Individual Transportation (LIT) lanes. 

Status: The City of Atlanta Mayor drafts the budget, then City Council reviews and approves by the end of June each year.

Take Action: Attend any City Council Transportation committee meeting and ask for more funding for traffic calming in the budget. Every other Wednesday, 9:30 AM at Atlanta City Hall. Please contact us to volunteer.

 

Improve MARTA bus service through network redesign and More MARTA projects to make it frequent and reliable

Image: Propel ATL

The More MARTA projects and MARTA's bus network redesign should improve bus transit service, but have been delayed. In the meantime, riders often report that their bus never arrived, causing missed work or appointments. While in part due to staffing challenges, the bus network redesign and bus rapid transit projects should make service more frequent and reliable. 
Status: MARTA extended the bus network redesign timeline. They now plan to implement an overhaul of bus routes with a current launch scheduled for 2024, but dependent on board decisions. The More MARTA funding was approved by voters in 2016 and the MARTA board approved the project list in 2018. According to a November 2022 presentation, the most advanced project so far is Summerhill BRT, with construction expected in 2023-2024 and service beginning in summer 2025. 
Take Action: Attend a MARTA board meeting to speak up for frequent and reliable bus service. Monthly on the 2nd Thursday at MARTA HQ, Lindbergh Station. Please contact us to volunteer.

Sign below to support our policy and infrastructure recommendations

  • Ken Boff
    signed 2023-02-17 11:00:03 -0500
  • Phillip Mylie
    signed 2023-02-16 16:59:11 -0500
  • Michael Ingram
    signed 2023-02-10 20:06:18 -0500
  • admin@ Propel ATL
    published this page in Take Action 2023-01-12 08:21:21 -0500

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