Lilburn Officials Ride to Support Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Lilburn Mayor Johnny Crist and Doug Stacks, Director of Planning and Economic Development, cycled to the Capitol on March 26 along with hundreds of other city officials. Georgia Rides to the Capitol is an annual demonstration of statewide support for road projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle safety.

“You get a lot more accomplished when you ride together,” Mayor Crist said after the 20-mile ride in the snowy spring weather. “Money is a shortage for everybody, but we need to find a way to support bicycle paths to make it safer for everyone.”

“We need to bring awareness to the fact that there are bicycles on the road, and we need to share the road together,” said Stacks, an avid cyclist.

Last year, Georgia Bikes worked closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation and other organizations to develop a nationally recognized statewide "Complete Streets" policy. This new guidance ensures that all future roadway projects in Georgia that are funded with state or federal dollars must address the safety needs of all road users, including pedestrians and people who bike.

The 2013 Ride to the Capitol calls on elected and GDOT leaders to:

1) Implement the statewide Complete Streets policy using federal funds set aside for bicycle and pedestrian projects;

2) Protect the legal rights of cyclists; and

3) Dedicate a fair share of funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and infrastructure.

(Source: City of Lilburn)