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In a bold move to transform how Alabamians walk and bike, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is calling on residents to help shape the future of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure through a series of public workshops this fall. As part of the Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, ALDOT aims to develop safer, more accessible routes for non-motorized travelers, and community input is essential to make that happen.
Why It Matters
As Alabama’s roads grow busier, ensuring safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists is becoming more than a transportation goal—it’s a matter of public safety. Whether it’s biking to work or walking to school, this plan could determine whether neighborhoods become safer and more connected.
The plan, developed by ALDOT and statewide stakeholders, seeks to maximize limited funding to improve bicycle and pedestrian planning across Alabama. With an eye on safety, access, and economic development, the plan aims to guide the future of non-motorized transportation on state-maintained roadways.
Investing in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is about more than just convenience, it can reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, and promote healthier lifestyles while connecting people to essential services like schools, jobs, and healthcare.
Public Workshops and Participation
To gather vital community feedback, ALDOT is hosting five public workshops across the state. These workshops will be open-house style, giving participants the chance to ask questions, engage with staff, and provide input on how walking and biking infrastructure can be improved. By attending, residents will directly influence how funding is allocated and where resources are invested to enhance safety and accessibility for all.
Dates and locations for the Alabama Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Workshops:
West Central Region: October 28, 2024, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 2715 East Skyland Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
North Region: October 29, 2024, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 1525 Perimeter Parkway NW, Suite 400, Huntsville, AL 35806
East Central Region: October 30, 2024, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 924 Bankhead Highway West, Birmingham, AL 35204
Southwest Region: November 6, 2024, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 1701 I-65 West Service Road N, Mobile, AL, 36618
Southeast Region: November 7, 2024, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., 1525 Coliseum Boulevard, Montgomery, AL 36110
Key Focus Areas of the Plan
Safety First: One of the overriding goals of the plan is to create safer conditions for cyclists and pedestrians across the state, particularly as more Alabamians choose walking or biking as modes of transportation.
Strategic Investment:*With funding tight, the plan seeks to maximize every dollar, focusing investments where they will have the most significant impact on improving access and connectivity.
Environmental and Health Benefits: In addition to safety, enhancing walking and biking infrastructure can help reduce traffic congestion, lower air pollution, and promote healthier lifestyles.
A Vision for the Future
This statewide effort reflects ALDOT’s broader vision for making walking and biking central to Alabama’s transportation network, rather than an afterthought. Policies, guidelines, and national best practices serve as the foundation for the plan, which seeks to modernize Alabama’s transportation system to meet the growing demand for alternative modes of travel.
**Why You Should Participate**
These workshops are more than just information sessions—they’re your chance to make sure your voice is heard in the decisions that will affect your daily life. If you’ve ever wished for safer streets in your neighborhood or better-connected biking routes, this is your opportunity to make it happen.
The future of Alabama’s transportation landscape depends on these public discussions. Without strong community participation, we risk missing the opportunity to build a safer, more inclusive transportation system that benefits everyone.
Residents are encouraged to attend the workshops and contribute their vision for a safer, more connected Alabama.
