GEORGIA DOT WORKS ON BIKE PLANS WITH REGIONAL CENTERS

According to an April 20th Macon Telegraph editorial, "The carnival
atmosphere of the Tour de Georgia and its racers have come our way and
gone for another year. Gone, too, are the frenzied fans who will follow
the cyclists on to the finish in Rome. Left behind are an excited group
of amateur cyclists as well as a growing number of moms, dads and
children who would love to safely pedal their way to fun and health.
The problem is neither our urban or suburban streets are very bicycle
friendly. Without the safety nets provided by police escorts,
designated bike routes and stopped traffic that helped ensure the
safety of the professional riders, local cyclists are left to fend for
themselves on congested streets.

"The much-maligned Georgia Department of Transportation, most often a
whipping boy for a public weary of the ribbons of concrete continually
being widened or repaved, is now working with Regional Development
Centers to improve cycling conditions throughout the state. It is
requiring the centers to produce regional bicycle/pedestrian plans. The
mission is not only improved safety for cyclists, but also reducing
auto congestion and pollution and improving overall health by
encouraging walking and bicycling. The Middle Georgia plan, released in
December, starts with a detailed analysis of existing bicycle friendly
routes. It's a short list. As the plan notes, the Middle Georgia region
is 'littered with local bicycle/pedestrian plans that have not been
implemented.'..."

Source: http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/opinion/11435271.htm
Archive search: http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/archives/
Title: "Bicycle path planning a good starting point"
Author: Editorial board