Making
Pedestrian Life Possible
One
of the best things that happened in the Perimeter with respect
to pedestrian friendlinest is the development of the Perimeter
Community Improvement District (PCID). PTC works closely
with PCID to accomplish whats best for the area with PTC
focusing on the demand-side and the PCID focusing on the
supply-side. What that means is PTC focuses on incentivizing
walking and the PCID ensures the infrastructure is in place
to support pedestrian activities. To find out more visit
the PCIDs website.
Bicycling
in the Central Perimeter is not an "extreme sport!"
Bicycling
another strategy that the PTC supports in an effort to relieve
traffic congestion in the Central Perimeter. Despite its
fierce reputation, the area actually has some wonderful
bicycle commuting roads.
In cooperation
with the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (ABC), the PTC offers
fun, defensive-bicycling classes teaching people how to
ride anywhere, even in Central Perimeter traffic. PTC member
employers can take the class for $10 - over a 70% discount
if you were to sign-up for the class through ABC. Remember
to ask us about bicycle parking racks, sidewalks and curb
cuts.
Armed
with the knowledge of an Effective Cycling™
course, you can ride anywhere in safety and confidence.
We will even help you map out
a route, and find someone to join you for that first trial
commute - it's a service provided by PTC's own Executive
Director.
In partnership
with ABC, PTC has developed a bicycle suitability map identifying
the roads that are already extra wide, with low traffic
counts, or offer good connectivity between destinations.
In addition
to saving time and money, cyclists see the added benefit
of exercise, reduced car expenses, transit fare and parking
fees.
Perimeter
Bicycle Commuting?
Bicycles
may be the best of all possible solutions to our traffic
congestion and air quality problems. They are the cleanest
form of transportation around, and still the most energy
efficient form of transportation ever invented (calculated
in calories needed to move the vehicle and the passenger
a measured distance). If you live in an area where bicycles
will work for you, they are also the least-expensive form
of transportation. But perhaps best of all, we can
fit twelve bicycles in the physical space of one automobile-
both on our roads and in our parking lots.
The
Central Perimeter offers tremendous infrastructure and opportunity
for promoting bicycle transportation:
- Four
MARTA
stations. MARTA
allows bikes on all trains and buses.
- Retails
galore and the Art
Institute of Atlanta
- Three
bike shops: REI
(Perimeter Center West), Sandy
Springs and Performance
Bike.
- A
dozen criss-crossing roads that almost never have heavy
traffic, including Crown Point Parkway, Central Parkway,
Perimeter Summit, Perimeter Center Parkway, and even portions
of Mt. Vernon Road.. Click
here to see a map of the Central Perimeter.
- The
area is surrounded by dense residential that offers them
an excellent opportunity to ride their bicycles to work
and beat the traffic, or to the MARTA station, letting
them leave their car in the garage and avoid the traffic.
What
is Effective Cycling™?
Effective
Cycling™ (EC) classes teach safe methods of
riding on the road and in traffic. They build your skills
and your confidence. About half the instruction occurs on
the bike in actual on-road conditions and bike handling
drills. It is a nationally certified course, with instructors
trained by the League of American
Bicyclists and administered through the Atlanta
Bicycle Campaign. They cover the fundamental principles
of driving your bike on the road effectively, predictably,
and confidently.
REMEMBER:
If you live or work in the Central Perimeter, you
can take it for only $10!
Here's how:
- Atlanta
Bicycle Campaign - check out ABC's schedule
- Call PTC to ask about the discount
EQUIPMENT:
Fitting
Helmet and a functioning bike that you can ride for at least
one mile
I've
Been Riding a Bike Since I Was a Kid; What Could I Possibly
Learn?
Effective
Cycling™ will help you improve your skills.
Whether you have completed thousands of miles on your bicycle
or only a few miles around the neighborhood, confidence
and knowledge of bicycle handling skills do not come naturally.
Knowing how to execute suitable defensive maneuvers may
help prevent serious injury. EC is about developing the
mindset to handle unexpected, un-experienced situations,
and is much more than a set of rules on how to ride. Having
the skills to handle any situation that may arise is beneficial
to the cyclists' confidence, and riding with more confidence
will make any cyclist better, regardless of where you have
been on your bike in the past.
Tips
on Bicycle Commuting
More
and more people are discovering that bicycle commuting is
not only possible in the Central Perimeter, but is a great
way to beat the traffic crunch. With the exception of the
3-4 busiest roads, the infrastructure provides some very
good, safe roads for bicycling.
Here
are some tips to make bicycle commuting work for you:
Knowing
the Law
- Georgia
Bicycle Laws
