Voice your support for continued investment in downtown complete streets. City Council needs to hear from you TODAY! 

TOMORROW ( Tuesday Aug. 22) City staff will present an update on the proposed College / Patton Complete Street Project. City Council’s support continues to waver  in regards to complete street investment in downtown Asheville. Email City Council and voice your support for the College / Patton project.

It’s best when Asheville residents craft their own letters to Council and incorporate AoB’s talking points and data, but your response is urgent. Send an email TODAY. Cut and paste the below copy if you’re short on time. 

If you have pictures from riding the City at the Summer Cycle or another time, please include a pic with your email. Asheville City Council needs to know that riding bikes is more than a recreational activity; it’s an essential part of urban mobility. 

Call to Action Email. Email Asheville City Council & CC AoB at ashevilleonbikes@gmail.com

I support the College / Patton Complete Streets project. It’s important that our City commits to expanding its mobility options to provide safer and greater access into and through downtown Asheville.

This project is more than just adding bike lanes:

• It adds an additional 115 linear feet of loading zones;
• It increases the number of people who can safely use the public right of way;
• It improves pedestrian crosswalks and provides a greater buffer between people and moving vehicles;
• And it’s part of the antidote for strengthening downtown’s economy. Thousands of residents live in a 5 mile circle around downtown, but they cannot spend money there if they don’t have an easy and safe way to get there.

The results from the COA’s “College Patton Bike Lanes Project Public Survey” speak to the community’s support for continued investment in safe streets. 

• 86% of respondents listed “Pedestrian accommodations (sidewalks, high-visibility crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signalization)” as their highest priority.
• 82% of respondents listed “Bicyclist accommodations (bicycle lanes, shared lane markings, bicycle signage)” as their second highest priority.
• 78% of respondents listed “Traffic calming to slow vehicle speeds” as their third  priority. 

On top of that, 40% of respondents indicated that they would be more likely to ride bicycles through the project area if “high-quality bicycle infrastructure is in place.” The City’s public engagement and the survey clearly demonstrates overwhelming support for  prioritizing  street design that supports safe and predictable mobility options. The College / Patton project, including the changes due to feedback from business owners Downtown, addresses all of the above.

Recently approved developments and proposed housing mean we need mobility options now. The approved projects at 319 Biltmore Ave project, Aston St Project, 360 Hilliard Ave Apartment, and the Maple Crest Apartments are examples of the density coming to downtown. It is not possible to scale car infrastructure and meet the needs already created by the current plans of various developers and building owners.

Active transportation is a component of housing affordability. Overwhelmingly, lower income households rely on bicycle commuting. 8.3% of City residents do not own a car; the City has the obligation to provide safe and accessible infrastructure for these residents as well as motorists.  

Please honor the good work that’s been done by City staff and respond with a show of  public support for complete streets by supporting this project at tomorrow’s City Council meeting.