Southeast - East Wesley Update

Someone emailed Commissioner Scott today, cc'ing quite a few people. She simply asked for an update. Unfortunately he said that construction will go forward. Seven email replies so far. :)

I don't understand why they can't just use bike lanes as calming devices as ABC has suggested. Or, if there is room, something like this:

http://www.chat.carleton.ca/~jnoakes/bike/images/bulbout2.jpg

Have they ever responded to that suggestion?

Anyway, here is the current status.



Thank you very much for your concerns and interest during the development of this project. As you are aware, we have been working diligently to develop plans that take into consideration the expressed needs of the East Wesley community as well the needs of those who utilize this road for bicycling and other mobility purposes. However, we are of the opinion that the need to achieve aggressive traffic calming is paramount for the East Wesley corridor. Therefore, the department of Pubic Works will be implementing the construction of the project as originally designed. We remain sensitive to the need for alternative mobility throughout the city and propose an alternate route for those that choose to use bicycles to traverse between Peachtree and Piedmont along the East Wesley corridor.

If you have any questions concerning the construction, please feel free to contact Greg Holder at ghholder@atlantaga.gov or (404) 330-6208.


David E. Scott, P.E.
Commissioner
Department of Public Works
City of Atlanta
(404) 330-6240

I wrote to them, suggesting this, and giving examples that are being implemented in NYC. No response, of course, except to say that they prefer their plan.

I came across this story in the February 23-March 8, 2007 edition of The Buckhead Reporter:

http://reporternewspapers.net/022307/Road.html

The most interesting angle in the story is the anonymous flyers (“SAVE East Wesley” – arguing against these changes) that somebody distributed around the neighborhood – nobody can figure out who produced and distributed the flyers. My guess is that the mysterious author isn’t a cyclist since he/she advocates against elimination of certain on-street parking.

Also, this article seems to be written prior to the statement by David E. Scott quoted in the OP of this thread.

The most interesting angle in the story is the anonymous flyers (“SAVE East Wesley” – arguing against these changes) that somebody distributed around the neighborhood – nobody can figure out who produced and distributed the flyers. My guess is that the mysterious author isn’t a cyclist since he/she advocates against elimination of certain on-street parking.
The flyer was produced by the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign several weeks ago and distributed to the neighborhood association. The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign leaders are the same folks who do the Save East Wesley bike rides that meet at Peachtree Bikes on the days they're having a "protest" ride.