Dear City Council,
Joel Burgess’s recent article in the Asheville Citizen Times, “Asheville, one of worst cities for crashes, looks for fixes,” coupled by the most recent hit-and-run incident which resulted in the death of Bradley Christopher Barnes, highlights our community’s ongoing struggle to provide safe transportation facilities.

Asheville on Bikes supports the establishment of “an equity based Vision Zero Task Force,” referenced in Burgess’s article, and encourages city council to approve the Street Tweaks Team tactical urbanism project slated for Coxe Ave., which is on the agenda for the Oct. 9,
2018, meeting.

AoB stands firm in its commitment to establishing a safe and robust active transportation network in the City of Asheville. Through the Street Tweaks partnership with AARP and Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, we’re demonstrating that our community is prepared and equipped to take innovative steps to improve access and mobility for all residents and visitors. As AoB continues to grow we are eager to partner with the City of Asheville, North Carolina Department of Transportation, and community stakeholders to improve our transportation network

Furthermore, AoB encourages city council to institute the following recommendations to advance the establishment of safe streets:

• Formally adopt National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) standards, which have already been endorsed by both the city’s Bicycle / Pedestrian Task Force and Multi-Modal Transportation Commission.
• Develop and adopt a tactical urbanism policy and permit process so that community members are empowered to build and test active transportation facilities.
• Make it City policy that all transportation-related requests for qualifications (RFQ) and requests for proposals (RFP) include a request for Complete Street and NACTO design experience.

Asheville on Bikes is a committed partner in improving our transportation systems. We look forward to working more closely with the city in addressing our transportation needs.

Respectfully,
Asheville on Bikes

Link to pdf version submitted to City Council members.

The post Letter to City Council RE: “Asheville, One of the Worst Cities for Crashes,” and Coxe Avenue Tactical Urbanism appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

This helps clear a path so that City Council could take up the issue and vote to officially adopt the NACTO design guide as a tool.

Why NACTO standards are better for bike commuters

NACTO standards provide detailed planning guidelines for urban areas to design new streets, parks, and other infrastructure with multi-modal transportation (bikes, walkers, buses, light rail, etc.) as the norm–not as an afterthought. Older planning guides that most American cities have used (included the Standard Specifications and Details Manual currently used by Asheville) are written with cars as king, and do not provide adequate provisions for bicycles, pedestrians, and other non-private vehicle forms of transportation.

The specific NACTO guidelines Asheville on Bikes supports, and the MMTC Committee voted to endorse, are including in the Urban Bikeway Design Guide, and would significantly improve bike lanes, signals, and signage in the city. By endorsing NACTO standards, they are recommending that city officials adopt them for future transportation projects.

This vote represents a huge victory for Asheville, and it’s in large part thanks to our Asheville on Bikes members, sponsors, and supporters!

The post Asheville Multi-Modal Transit Committee Votes in Favor of NACTO Standards appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.