By: Christa Burns
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – If you drive in the city of Montgomery, then you probably have to move over to the right to make way for pedestrians to walk.
In Montgomery, Alabama, bike lanes and sidewalks are very limited. Many sidewalks start at one end of the block and abruptly stop a block over. Most roads do not have bike lanes in the city either. The absence of bike lanes and sidewalks shows the city’s lack of concern for cyclists and pedestrians.
In 2017, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) issued a plan to support pedestrian safety in the state. According to the analysis, there were 639 pedestrian crashes in 2013 and 59 pedestrian fatalities. Access to bike lanes and sidewalks would help decrease the number of pedestrian injuries in the city.
According to ALDOT, 7.3% of households have no vehicle access. That might not seem like a high percentage, but that’s 9,945 households without access to transportation. According to walkscore.com, Montgomery is one of the cities in Alabama with the lowest walkability rates. Connecting our city with bike lanes and sidewalks would allow people to have a better quality of life. Not having suitable walking access hinders people without cars to jobs, grocery stores, schools and more.
Walking and riding bikes are better for the environment than driving because of the amount of pollution that cars bring into the air. According to the data from the ALDOT analysis, “Major pollutants from motor vehicles include particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.” Choosing to walk or ride a bike instead of driving your car can have a significant impact on the health of the environment.
For example, if you live off Atlanta Highway in Montgomery, you are less than two minutes from the grocery store and fast-food restaurants. If bike lanes and sidewalks were available, a resident could walk or bike to the nearest grocery store or restaurant in less than ten minutes. Making decisions to walk or ride a bike would help decrease the pollution in our air and the amount of money we spend on gas.
Walking and riding bikes can also improve physical health. According to Forbes Magazine, Ford Europe president, Stuart Rowley, says that more people should choose to walk or bike instead of driving. “The last thing many people would expect from an automaker, however, driving responsibly is no longer just about safety, it’s also about caring for our environment and our health—and walking, or cycling can bring about significant change,” Rowley said. Biking and walking allow people to get movement into their daily routines that might otherwise be skipped during the day because of busy schedules.
The Shoppes at Eastchase is an outdoor shopping mall in Montgomery. The shopping mall has one central location occupying most of the retail stores. However, many stores, that are still considered a part of the shopping mall, are not connected to the central shopping area. For example, Target and Chipotle are across the street but are still considered a part of the Eastchase shopping mall. If all the stores were connected by sidewalks and crosswalks, it would create more engagement for the community and ultimately bring more business.
Some might say installing sidewalks and bike lanes in the city costs too much money. According to an article by AL.com, more Alabama citizens are advocating for more walkable communities. The article states that Huntsville budgets $200,000 yearly for sidewalk construction for a 2-mile piece of sidewalk. Huntsville Mayor, Tommy Battle says installing sidewalks is a great way to stretch our tax dollars. Suppose Alabama citizens are already paying taxes. Why not put them towards something that they can enjoy? In the article, local businesswomen in Fairhope, Alabama, states, “Walkability is the best buy in public health, and you’re protecting the environment; it creates a quality of life that attracts new business and builds a sense of community.”
Insufficient bike lanes and sidewalks in Montgomery have brought on safety concerns for pedestrians along with limited environmental sustainability. When sidewalks and bike lanes become available, pedestrian injuries can be reduced and air quality and healthier lifestyles can be improved. Walkable shopping and neighborhoods are ways to get more traction for local businesses and build a sense of community in the city.
While the up front cost might seem a little high, building more sidewalks and bike lanes would be an investment to improve the quality of life for Montgomery’s residents. More sidewalks and bike lanes would go a long way toward building a healthier, more vibrant future.
