The Midtown Neighbors’ Association (MNA), Virginia-Highland Civic Association (VHCA), and the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) are collaborating to enhance safety for students commuting to Virginia Highlands Elementary (VHE) and Midtown High School (MHS).
This partnership aims to establish a two-way protected bike lane along Virginia Avenue, running from Monroe Drive to Park Drive/Ponce Place.
As part of this initiative, community members are being called upon to support the project, with a goal of raising $12,000 to install roadway amendments within a two-day timeframe for a 12-month pilot test.
The envisioned bike lane would create a safe commuting route for children, allowing them to ride their bikes independently to school.
For many families of VHE, school is less than a mile away—an ideal distance for children aged 5 to 11 to cycle.
The project promises numerous benefits.
Engaging in physical activity, such as biking, significantly aids cognitive development and enhances focus and concentration in the classroom.
By starting their day with exercise, students can boost their alertness and readiness to learn.
Additionally, exercise releases endorphins, optimizing mood, while spending time outdoors has been shown to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Cycling also cultivates independence and responsibility among children, fostering self-confidence and strengthening social bonds with peers and family.
Furthermore, increasing the number of cyclists around the school can mitigate traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up times, ultimately benefiting everyone.
Virginia Avenue, characterized by its wide lanes, poses particular dangers for young cyclists.
The current dimensions of the road—40 feet wide and designed for two lanes—often lead drivers to exceed the posted 25-mile-per-hour speed limit without even realizing it.
Sabrina, a crossing guard at the school, has expressed her concerns by stating, ‘It’s dangerous out here.
These drivers don’t respect the kids, even when they have the right-of-way.’
Such reckless driving behaviors create a perilous environment for children who are still mastering their biking skills.
Drivers are often caught off guard when encountering a novice rider biking slowly down the road, resulting in dangerous situations, including sudden braking or swerving into oncoming traffic.
This alarming pattern necessitates urgent action to improve safety for all.
The tactical urbanism approach taken by the community allows for a quick and cost-effective implementation of the bike lane concept, enabling real-world testing of safety measures.
If feedback indicates the project is ineffective, the community retains the flexibility to modify or remove the bike lane.
Beyond the immediate benefits of enhancing student safety, the project also lays the groundwork for further improvements.
Future extensions could lead the bike lane up 8th Street, offering a secure route for high schoolers heading to Midtown High, and connect the lane to North Highland Avenue, linking the Beltline with the vibrant local businesses in Virginia-Highland.
Notably, most students at VHE live within a short distance from school, and given its proximity to the Beltline, VHE has the potential to become one of the most bikeable elementary schools in Atlanta and perhaps the entire state of Georgia.
This initiative offers students a healthy alternative for commuting to school, while also reducing traffic congestion associated with car pickups.
As community supporters rally around the project, MNA and VHCA welcome suggestions and feedback regarding the potential extensions of the bike lane.
Additionally, community members are encouraged to contribute financially or volunteer their time for the installation of this promising initiative.
By working together, residents can foster a safer, healthier environment for the youngest members of the community, empowering them to take to their bikes with enthusiasm and confidence.
For more information and to stay updated on the project, the MNA and VHCA can be followed on social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, and now Instagram.
image source from：https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/neighbors-near-piedmont-park-taking-bike-lane-installation-own-hands
