Atlanta City Council member Mary Norwood has introduced a plan to add a second paved trail to parts of the Atlanta Beltline to accommodate bikes and scooters, which light rail advocates call “ill-conceived.”
Norwood proposed a resolution to pave a second trail “to enhance safety, reduce collisions, and support multi-modal transportation options” at the May 3 Atlanta City Council meeting.
The “wheels and heels” resolution claims the growing popularity of bicycles and motorized devices on the Beltline has increased congestion and created safety concerns. The plan includes signage, pavement markers, and enforcement.
Beltline Rail Now — a nonprofit organization advocating for 22 miles of light rail — said a second paved trail would preclude mass transit plans and change the purpose of the Beltline. As they see it, the Beltline light rail would connect schools, neighborhoods, and other forms of transportation.
“You won’t find disagreement with us about improving the safety on the Beltline. Where you will find disagreement is whether killing the transit is the answer,” Beltline Rail Now Chair Michael Rao said.
A press release from the organization said Atlanta is facing an unparalleled transportation crisis of mobility, affordability, sustainability, and equity.
Instead of using her position to solve that problem, the press release asserts that Norwood has advanced a motion that will prevent the solution that voters have approved and have paid for: Beltline rail mass transit.
Opposed to Beltline rail because of its “astronomical” cost, the Better Atlanta Transit organization said the project is set to cost approximately $3.5 billion. “There are absolutely no studies that show that there’s the amount of ridership on the Beltline to justify a $150 million per mile rail system,” Better Atlanta Transit spokesperson Ken Edelstein said.
“The mix of pedestrians, cyclists and scooters along congested segments of the Beltline has created a public-safety hazard that cannot be ignored,” Edelstein said. “Norwood deserves credit for addressing this concern in a way that would enhance what’s best about the Beltline while building on its explosive success as a micro-mobility greenway.”
Better Atlanta Transit generally supports Norwood’s vision — with suggestions.
“We would advocate wheels-and-heels along the most congested segments of the Beltline, most obviously the Eastside Trail. It’s not clear that a second track is needed at this point all the way around the loop,” Edelstein said. “Council should pair the project with operational changes such as ensuring that speed limits and vehicle restrictions are posted and enforced on the wheels.”
Edelstein said he’s in favor of design professionals exploring a new walking path through the trees and meadows on undeveloped Beltline land rather than a new track for wheeled vehicles. Greenspace preservation should be encouraged as part of any improvements, he added.
Rao questioned why Norwood would propose the resolution without meeting stakeholders. Beltline Rail Now has reached out to Norwood for a meeting before the City Council votes on the measure on Monday, May 18.
Norwood did not respond to Rough Draft’s requests for comment.
This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.
