A Livable Streets Renaissance in Savannah?
The last time we checked in with the folks down at Sustainable Savannah, it was to get an update on the jaywalking ticket blitz that the city was conducting -- not exactly evidence of a progressive attitude toward traffic safety. Today, we've got better news.
Biking in Savannah: the future is looking brighter. Photo by p medved via Flickr.Over the long weekend, Sustainable Savannah's John Bennett shot us an e-mail alerting us to a week filled with positive developments on the livable streets front in that city:
Among those who want to make Savannah a more sustainable community,this past week may be remembered as a particularly important one. Itmarked a growing awareness of the economic, environmental, social,public safety and public health benefits to be derived from encouragingSavannah’s residents and visitors to move around the city on foot or bybicycle. Throughout the week there was evidence that local support forlivable streets is gaining momentum, as residents and governmentofficials came together to learn about how to make Savannah’s streetsmore livable.
Many of the week's highlights, according to Bennett, involved Dan Burden, one of the country's leading authorities on the develpment of walkable and bikable communities. Burden met with many different City of Savannah staff, presented a program on traffic calming, and led a workshop for the city's new Traffic Calming Committee.
Later in the week, Mayor Otis Johnson let a bike commuting convoy, and a new public service announcement on sharing the road with cyclists debuted.
These are welcome developments in a city that has been grappling with pedestrian and cyclist safety in the past several months. Bennett sounds a note of cautious optimism:
Still, in order to get more citizens out of their cars and on theirfeet and bikes, we need an environment that is safe and friendly. Othernews, this week, of a pedestrian injured and a cyclist killed
underscores how far we have to go. Progress toward more livable streetscan help reduce the frequency of these troubling and tragicoccurrences. Does this week represent the beginning of Savannah’s newera of livable streets?
More from around the network: The National Journal Expert Blog on Transportation opens a discussion on the nation's freight policy. Planning Pool reports on a new study that links walkability to higher home values. And Smart City Memphis posts on that city's upcoming transportation and land use planning process.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
DOT Aims to Build First Ave. Tunnel Bike Lane Before September’s UN General Assembly
DOT hopes to have the concrete-protect tunnel bike lane installed this summer, but its exact plans are still in development.
Waste Reforms Could Require Data on Crashes, Dangerous Driving
The proposal affects at least one trucking company with a deadly driving record.
When it Comes to Federal Infrastructure Grants, Size Does Matter
Cities and municipalities with larger budgets and staff are more likely to win competitive federal infrastructure grants, the Urban Institute has found.
Tuesday’s Headlines: Real Estate Greed Against Good Bike Lane Design Edition
A real estate developer's opposition to the Ashland Place protected bike lane yields some baffling bike lane markings. Plus more news.
City Considers Fixes for Another Ridiculously Slow Cross-Bronx Bus
Potential bus improvements are on the table for the Bronx's Tremont Avenue, but the Adams administration's failures on nearby Fordham Road loom large.
