Highland Park Shines with Community Bike Ride for New Greenway
On a lively Saturday afternoon in Highland Park, approximately 30 enthusiastic cyclists gathered for a unique ride down 14th Street, jazz music wafting from a blue trailer speaker attached to one of the bikes. This wasn’t just a joyride; it was a community effort to discuss and envision a new greenway that the city plans to introduce along this busy route.
Conversations on Community and Connectivity
The cyclists paused at key intersections, taking time to survey their surroundings and have genuine discussions about improvements that could be made for safer crossings. Josh Hurt, a resident of Highland Park, expressed his excitement about the turnout, noting, “I think it’s really cool to have a community effort. Thirty people showed up today — it’s like, ‘OK, let’s all get together, talk about it, look at it, think about it. What matters to the people that are going to use it?’ That’s a big deal.”
Among the participants was Elsy Interiano, a transportation review specialist with Chattanooga. She shared insights on the planned “quick-build” enhancements for 14th Street, which include the installation of plastic bollards and rubber medians aimed at slowing down traffic, making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate busy intersections.
Community Enthusiasm for Innovative Solutions
“I’m excited the city is starting to embrace the idea of quick-build, cheap stuff,” said Dave Lowther, a regular cyclist in Chattanooga. He highlighted how these temporary measures could help in determining the best layout before making more permanent changes. “It gives you a lot more levers to play with and to see what the ideal placement is.”
The city has received a generous $200,000 grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation to bring the greenway vision for 14th Street to life. The project is modelled after a successful greenway on Virginia Avenue in St. Elmo, which was completed in 2015. Interiano noted that the new greenway is expected to be finished by March and will serve as a vital link connecting local businesses, parks, and other bike routes around downtown Chattanooga.
Safety and Inclusivity Are Top Priorities
During the ride, participants highlighted various safety concerns and suggestions for enhancing the route. Ideas included installing buttons to activate blinking lights at crossings with busy streets like Willow Street, Holtzclaw, and Central avenues. As Interiano noted, public input plays a crucial role; the initial surveys showed a strong desire for a route that accommodates kids and families, ensuring safe passage for strollers, pedestrians, and even dog walkers.
“You want people to get to schools safer, you want people to get to their parks safer, jobs, all of it matters,” added Brandon Sutton, a former city planner. “You provide safer, more comfortable options.”
Bicycles, Community, and Celebrating Streets
This engaging bike ride was initiated by Two Bikes Chattanooga, a community bike shop that opened its doors earlier this year. Mitchell Connell, the shop’s founder, was inspired to organize the ride after noticing low attendance at a community meeting about the greenway. “I bike down 14th Street almost every day,” Connell shared. “One of the things that’s cool about these bigger bike rides is how excited the community feels. There are people waving at us from their porch, people are smiling and super excited.”
As Connell remarked, the atmosphere during these rides shows the community’s desire to reclaim the streets for themselves, prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist needs over vehicle traffic. Reflecting on the future of the greenway, he envisioned a space bustling with pedestrians. “I would feel like the greenway is the most successful if I can’t ride my bike on it because there’s so many neighborhood kids walking on it.”
The event was not just a bike ride; it was a testimony to Highland Park’s vibrant community spirit and its commitment to creating safer, more enjoyable environments for everyone. Residents are excited, and it seems like quite an adventure awaits as the greenway project takes shape!
