The Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT), Councilmember Antonio Lewis, and various school officials gathered with parents, students, and community stakeholders for a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of a newly extended tactical walk/bike lane along Empire Boulevard.
This crucial extension now stretches from Mt. Zion Road to Ward Drive, aimed at enhancing the safety of travel for residents and students of Crawford W. Long Middle School.
At its official opening at the start of the 2025–2026 academic year, the new lane builds on the earlier success of an initial segment, which was completed in 2023 thanks to the generous support from General Motors and the National Center for Safe Routes to School.
Councilmember Lewis expressed a personal connection to the project, noting that as a devoted scooter rider and a daily jogger, witnessing this progress on Empire Boulevard is particularly meaningful to him.
“This is more than just a ribbon-cutting for me; it represents a new chapter for our community, one that conveys our commitment to safety, health, and our citizens,” he stated.
Lewis highlighted that this bike lane will allow children to walk to school without fear and enable seniors to stroll confidently.
“The extension of this tactical walk/bike lane connects families, neighborhoods, and students at Crawford Middle to a safer, healthier way to move,” he added.
Referencing statistics from the National Institute of Health, Lewis pointed out that marked and protected bike lanes are associated with a 50% reduction in injury rates, collision frequency, and crash rates when compared to roads without such infrastructure.
He emphasized that behind every statistic lies an individual—a person, a neighbor, a grandmother, a child—who benefits from safer streets.
From an environmental perspective, he asserted that this initiative paves the way for a significant reduction in injuries and fatalities, promoting a communal responsibility for road safety.
“This shared space and responsibility demand that drivers, walkers, and cyclists all contribute to making our streets safer. Empire Boulevard is a place for everyone,” Lewis concluded.
Frederick Gardiner, Atlanta’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, echoed Lewis’s sentiments, noting that the opening of the new lane is not only a step towards improved infrastructure but also a crucial move toward creating a safer community.
“This project represents a major step towards our Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by providing people with a protected space to walk, bike, and travel safely,” Gardiner stated.
He highlighted the importance of access and opportunities in investing in the next generation, affirming the city’s commitment to ensuring that every street is safe for all Atlanta residents.
Commenting on some criticisms regarding the focus on the Southside, ATLDOT Commissioner Solomon Caviness defended the initiative by recalling their previous efforts at Crawford Long Middle School.
“We’re here again, out on Empire Boulevard making a difference. You can see kids walking up the sidewalks heading to school, and you see buses going by. This is truly what it’s all about—ensuring we have facilities for everyone,” said Caviness.
Betty Smoot-Madison, Deputy Commissioner of Strategy & Planning at ATLDOT, remarked on the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “This was truly the epitome of a group project, not just from our strategy and planning team, but our engineering team as well.”
She expressed gratitude towards Councilmember Lewis for his support and additional funding for the project, which reflects the community’s belief in making streets safer.
Smoot-Madison also noted that Atlanta experienced 33 fatalities on city streets in 2025 thus far, and while the number shows a downward trend from the previous year, she stressed that “one fatality is still too many.”
“When we implement projects like this, we are doing our part to prevent serious and fatal crashes,” she remarked, urging the community to practice patience while driving to protect the lives of others.
Looking ahead, Smoot-Madison assured participants that more walk/bike lanes would be added in proximity to schools, further enhancing safety for the community.
image source from：theatlantavoice
