Time to talk alternative transpo...finally, i hope.

Snowjam I-285 David Tulis/AP

Sometimes, often times actually, it takes a crisis to address the topics on the back burner, like transpo solutions for ATL.
Well surely Snowjam '14, or ClusterFlake '14, or Snowjob '14, whatever you want to call it, has triggered the topic of transpo for ATL. I sure hope so.

Gridlock by JeffK

And although most of you know me from my myriad postings on facebook and blogs about bikes and pedestrian advocacy, I'm also devoted to transit and trails. I view the combination of adding transit, trails (check out this commute), and bike/ped facilities as a holistic approach to improving transpo alternatives in ATL.
These choices align with the Complete Streets philosophy and policy that is sweeping the nation and that GDOT has signed on to offer/support.

Urban Trail options by JeffM

Guidance from Georgia Bikes!, PEDS, Georgians for Passenger Rail, BeltLine and Streetcar, BikeShare, and Georgia Trail Summit, MARTA, and Sierra Club Rail Chapter are available and they should all be at the table helping leadership see how these solutions WILL improve our community if they can just find the political will to pursue them.

MARTA rail running

Many friends and advocates already blogged about the 2014 snowstorm that paralyzed Atlanta and so I've clipped and linked to some of the ones i agree with and shared them here in case any of you appreciate a primer on how to move forward from this moment. I wont spend one second on the blame game because for me the issue is and has always been ATL infrastructure and lack of transpo options. (See all hyperlinks.)

If Snowjam '14 leads us to talk about a new serious approach to transpo in Atlanta then all will not be lost on those who suffered in their cars overnight, stranded on frozen ice highways in the middle of a huge international city.
At least there is a feeling that humanity is restored by numerous stories of southerners helping one another in a crisis. My favorite was Michelle Sollicito from Marietta who used social media to create a forum where everyone needing help could reach out and those offering it could connect; then someone added a map to show all the homes where citizens were offering shelter and POW within hours 55,000 Atlantans were connected via a facebook group called SnowedOutAtlanta, collectively solving issues one by one. Good press on that here too. Regional collaboration has always been my ulterior motive and it remains so. Feeling inspired and hopeful.

Bike commute by RajB

p.s. no i wasnt caught in snowjam '14, i bike to work, which is next door to transit, and within a 2.5 mile radius from my home (intentionally), and can walk anyday if needed. my choice gives me quality of life and i'd love to see others make informed housing + transpo choices and see our metro area step up to build them.

Photos by friends and from facebook group Bike Commuters of Atlanta.