2023 policy and infrastructure agenda

1. Create rebate program to make e-bikes affordable 

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. 

Recently, the Atlanta City Council adopted legislation to create a working group to set up an e-bike rebate program for Atlanta. 

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

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 for Leading Pedestrian Intervals

3. Fully fund the Atlanta Department of Transportation in the FY 2024 budget, in order to deliver promised projects and routinely maintain bike/Light Individual Transportation (LIT) lanes

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

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