Wednesday Pedal Press #5
Weekly insights, updates, and musings on cycling, infrastructure projects, Vision Zero, and more in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Hey MiddleTN Cyclists,
Sorry, I was out last week and did not get the opportunity to put together a Wednesday Pedal Press! Hopefully, you will find the information this week interesting.
Complete Streets Webinar
Nashville DOT hosted the first session in their Smart Growth America: Complete Streets series on Monday, July 8th. The webinar was very informative and focused on Smart Growth America’s approach and ideology behind this style of road design, and why cities and communities should really want to embrace Complete Streets.
While there are still unanswered questions regarding Choose How You Move’s distinction between an All-Access Corridor and a Complete Street, NDOT Director Alarcon answered that if the referendum passes, the plan is for All-Access Corridors to be built with Complete Street guidelines. Session 2 is titled “Designing Complete Streets” and will be on Thursday, August 8th from 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
You can watch the first webinar here if you were unable to attend:
Dickerson Pike Updates
Lots of things have been happening on Dickerson Pike so far this year. They are one of the first main corridors on the High Injury Network to have their streetlights retrofitted. If you’ve not checked out this ongoing project, it’s highly worth your attention. The Vision Zero Advisory Committee is currently working with NDOT to find ways so that more parts of the High Injury Network can be updated ahead of NES’ current projections.
In addition to the reduced power load that Nashville is gaining from the street lights, NDOT will now be able to tell when a streetlight is out immediately, rather than relying on team surveying or public reporting to recognize issues. This is particularly important along the High Injury Network where lighting is critical for reducing accident regularity and severity.
NDOT will also be submitting a Multimodal Access Grant with the state of TN to improve four unmarked intersections and mid-block crossings between Trinity Lane and the Ewing/Broadmoor Drive intersection. This grant will help NDOT continue its work to improve pedestrian safety along this part of the corridor, where several pedestrians have tragically lost their lives.
It may come as a surprise, but Metro’s Traffic and Parking Commission are the keyholders to adjusting speed limits in Nashville. Thankfully, they voted to do so on Dickerson Pike at their last meeting. This initiative will further develop this area of Nashville to make it more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.
Lebanon Pike Speed Limit Reductions
If you made it to the bottom of the article linked above, you will have read that the Traffic and Parking Commission deferred voting on similar speed limit reductions along the length of Lebanon Pike in Davidson County. Just like for Dickerson Pike, speed limit reductions along this corridor would be extremely helpful in decreasing dangerous conditions for all road users. The vote on Lebanon Pike was apparently deferred because a few council members requested a greater opportunity for community feedback.
Lebanon Pike runs through Metro Districts 11, 14, and 15, which are respectively represented by Councilmembers Jeff Eslick, Jordan Huffman, and Jeff Gregg. You can view all of the Metro Council Districts here. If you live in these districts, I encourage you to reach out to your council members and vocalize your support for the speed reductions. As well, you can reach out to the Traffic and Parking Commission to share your support. Their next meeting has not been posted, but historically they meet on the 2nd Monday of each month — August 12th being the next.
During my Ride the Districts project this past March, the unprotected sections of Lebanon Pike were far and away some of the worst riding that I’ve encountered. You will find numerous instances in my video Bad Apples (Drivers) Spoil the Bunch.
Midtown Rod-eo
Somehow this event and the subsequent projects flew under my radar. Tomorrow, July 18th, NDOT is hosting a Community Gathering at the Centennial Sports Complex to discuss the Church Street Complete Street Project & the Athena Bikeways Project.
From what I learned briefly from NDOT, the project extents for Church Street falls outside of the Connect Downtown project, but work in conjunction with it.
I am particularly excited to learn more about all of the bike lanes mapped out with the Athena Bikeways Project. Combined with the existing 440 Greenway, and the 31st Ave N Bikeway completed in the early spring, these open a lot of wonderful options for cyclists living in Midtown, and people coming to visit Centennial Park.
Other Misc.
It was confirmed to me that the new-style bollard and dividers found at Greenfield Ave & Gallatin Pike are in fact trial installations. These dividers can also be seen on San Marcos Dr in South Nashville. NDOT is also looking at a similar trail installation on Cahal Ave, in East Nashville. They are considering using wheelstops (the things at the end of a parking spot) in this trial location, which are evidently much easier to purpose
Docked Bikeshare RFP
I also learned sitting in this past week’s BPAC meeting that NDOT is finishing putting touches on a RFP (Request For Proposal) for docking bike-share manufacturers. Ideally, this would bring B-Cycle back into a contractual relationship, rather than the permit basis that they are currently operating as. This would also likely mean that B-Cycle stations would move back in our parks.
Crit Season Closes
Last night was the final Music City Crits of the season, and it looked like it went out with a bang. A HUUGE congrats to everyone who took part in Music City Crits this year. Y’all are awesome and it was a thrill getting to watch you all at the TN State Championships. Thanks to all the supporters, officials, volunteers, organizers, photographers, and racers who make awesome things like this possible in Nashville. It truly could not be done without you.
Be visible. Be predictable. Do good. Cheers!
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