Atlanta Residents Advocate for More Accessible Sidewalks and Improved Micromobility
In the bustling city of Atlanta, the conversation about micromobility and the sorry state of sidewalks has taken center stage. At a recent transportation committee meeting, the Atlanta City Council engaged with community voices primarily from District 12 who are calling for safer, more accessible streets.
Eric Jacobson, a passionate voice for his Capitol View neighborhood in Southwest Atlanta, didn’t hold back. He emphasized the city’s apparent double standards when it comes to funding. “We’ve been told repeatedly that there’s no money for sidewalks, yet you recently approved borrowing $120 million to improve downtown streets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Jacobson expressed. For Jacobson and countless others, it seems like the neighborhoods where people live are being overlooked in favor of sprucing up downtown for this grand event.
Jacobson’s concerns are not isolated. Many residents face the eerie reality of sharing Atlanta streets with vehicles due to the absence of sidewalks. Community members vividly recounted the anxiety-inducing experience of maneuvering wheelchairs perilously close to traffic, blaming nonexistent or seriously damaged pedestrian infrastructure.
Pledges of Support from City Officials
Antonio Lewis, representing District 12’s diverse neighborhoods, voiced his solidarity with the constituents facing these daily challenges. “I’m fighting as much as I can to get as much funding to the Southside,” he assured. Areas south of Capitol View are reportedly facing even more dire conditions with almost no sidewalks to speak of.
With progress in mind, the committee approved the formation of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) advisory committee designed to address Atlanta’s faltering compliance with ADA standards—a result of a lawsuit by wheelchair users.
A Call to Action for Future Funding
District 6 Councilmember Alex Wan pushed for proactive measures, urging the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) to start mapping out funding strategies ahead of formal recommendations from the advisory committee. “Get ahead of that. Let’s not wait for the recommendations; let’s figure out how we’re going to fund some of these sidewalks, some of these intersection improvements,” Wan advocated.
Debates Around E-Scooter Regulations
In addition to sidewalks, the regulation of e-scooters became a heated topic. A measure was put forward to allow scooter rides between midnight and 2 a.m., following an existing ban that restricted scooter usage after a series of tragic incidents in 2019. This progression was met with mixed feelings.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) flagged potential security concerns, indicating a link between overnight scooter usage and crimes. Assistant Chief Carven Tyus shared, “When we start looking at scooter riders after midnight, at 2 a.m.—it just gives us concerns. Those scooters have historically been used in crimes sometimes. There’s a propensity for accidents.”
However, not everyone agreed with the APD’s cautious approach. Recognizing the reality of people relying on e-scooters for late-night shifts at restaurants and hotels, council members argued against blanket restrictions. “We’re playing favorites here on transportation modes that I think are unfair to residents and to workers,” one council member remarked passionately.
Pressing Forward with Infrastructure Improvements
The committee also took steps towards broader infrastructure enhancements across the city. Legislation was advanced to implement a speed table for a particularly busy stretch on Annie St. NW, with hopes for more expansive traffic calming solutions.
Additional measures sought funding for significant infrastructure improvements, from the massive Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to various street resurfacing and repair projects throughout Buckhead and beyond.
Despite debates and challenges, one thing is clear: the community’s voice is being heard, and the steps towards a more accessible and safer Atlanta seem to be in motion.
