Podcast 3: Simple investments add great value

Sometimes it is the simple things that make all the difference.

In today’s podcast, the Livable Communities Coalition talks to Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety president Sally Flocks and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition executive director Rebecca Serna.

As the region works towards identifying projects that will help improve mobility, advocates maintain that a “fix-it-first” policy is needed to enhance existing infrastructure, improve safety and get Atlanta moving.

According to Flocks, the region must make a significant investment in improving sidewalks and crosswalks.

“Right now we have system that is very unsafe for its users because you can’t use transit without at least crossing the street once,” Flocks notes. “Over half of pedestrian accidents occur within 300 feet of transit stops.

“If you can get more people using more transit - which safe access will do - it’s going to be a very positive thing for the financial health of our transit system.”

If the 2012 transportation tax referendum, passes experts estimate the tax will generate approximately $8 billion to fund transportation improvements throughout the region over the course of the ten-year life of one-cent sales tax.

Referendum guidelines suggest that 1 – 5 percent be spent on pedestrian and bike improvements.  Advocates like Flocks and Serna are adamant that the number needs to be 5 percent.