Knoxville is on a quest to upgrade its biking environment, calling on its citizens for advice. As reported on the official City website, Knoxville has been laying down the groundwork for a more bicycle-friendly urban landscape since the inception of the 2015 Bicycle Facilities Plan. Originally crafted by committees and consultants spanning from local to regional expertise, the goal was straightforward - make biking easier for transportation and recreation by installing the necessary infrastructure like greenways, lanes, racks, and repair stations.
Now, with support from the federal SS4A grant, the City wants to refresh this plan to meet contemporary needs and mesh with the Vision Zero objective - the aim to see traffic deaths on City-controlled streets vanish by 2040. "For biking to be a viable option for neighbors to regularly commute, run errands or just ride for fun, we need bike facilities that are safe, connected and easy to use," Jon Livengood, the City’s Alternative Transportation Coordinator, shared in a statement.
This invigorated plan depends on the input from those it will affect the most - the residents. Launching a survey alongside a Public Open House scheduled for the end of July, city planners are opening channels to listen to community feedback. Citizens are encouraged to report their biking experiences, pinpoint critical areas needing enhancement, and suggest how Knoxville can weave a network of secure, accessible bike routes.
Highlighted in the Open House, to be held on Tuesday, July 29, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Public Works Service Center, is the city's eagerness to engage with the public. Attendees, after learning more about the biking conditions in Knoxville at the Public Works Service Center, located at 3131 Morris Avenue, will have the opportunity to voice where improvements should be prioritized, specifically in terms of bolstering connections and safety. The process of gathering viewpoints is also open through the aforementioned survey, embracing a wider spectrum of perspectives.
