Fairhope "Walkability Audit" Underway

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Fairhope, Alabama





Members of the city's Pedestrian Committee were conducting an audit of city streets to determine how they may be made more pedestrian friendly.

The committee used tool kits provided by the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) Livable Communities Initiative:

"In too many communities, it can be impossible to get around if you don't have a car. In too many communities, sidewalks are few and far between. For too many years, transportation policies have mostly served people using fast-moving vehicles rather than public transit, bicycles or their own feet. But a street that's safe for a 70-year-old to cross to shop is safe for a 7-year-old walking to school or a worker heading to the office. Complete, smartly planned streets are great for people of all ages."

James Groutt is committee chairman.

Comments

Anonymous said…
We love our walking town and it is far better than most, but there is still room for improvement. While there appears to be a focus on adding sidewalks for outlying areas in support of the new developments, less attention has been paid to the close in areas. Particularly since the addition of the new dividers on Fairhope Ave, the connecting streets between Fairhope and Morphy have become increasingly dangerous because of the increase of traffic usually traveling far above the speed limit. The complete absence of sidewalks on Brown and Mershon streets exacerbates the problem despite the ihigh number of both children and seniors in the area. The other critical oversight in my estimation is the absence of audio warnings with a timed walk cycle at the downtown crosswalks to assist seniors and the visually impaired. This latter addition is particularly important given the apparent continued ignorance of visitors and locals alike to the meaning of crosswalks.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Anonymous said…
When are we going to get serious about tackling transportation issues here?
Friday, June 10, 2016
Anonymous said…
As a resident of the 100 block of Fairhope Avenue, I find it increasingly difficult to get across the street at Bayview and Fairhope.

Several times while trying to use the crosswalk I had to run across to avoid speeding cars travelling from the bay into town.

An across-the-street older neighbor was actually brushed by a car while trying to cross.

The pedestrian walk needs to have a sign and the 25 mph signs need to be more visible. I moved to this location to walk to Knoll park but it's becoming more and more frightening to cross the street.

Someone will be injured I'm afraid.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Anonymous said…
I think speed humps need to be strategically placed around town. One area of concern is South Mobile Street from Fairhope Avenue to the Grand Hotel. There is a great deal of traffic that travels that stretch in the morning. One thing I observe daily while having coffee on my front porch is vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed down South Mobile from Fairhope Avenue towards the Bay Break Store and Pier Street. I believe its probably the workers at the Grand and they're running late. They scream down the street and barely slow down at the S curve by the boat launch at Pier Street. A lot of people walk that path every morning and there have been some close calls when people try and cross from the boat launch to Pier street. I have on more than one occasion heard breaks lock up. Also,South Mobile from the Grand to Fairhope Avenue traveling north is also a speed way in the mornings. I attribute this to people going to work that are late and kids driving to school. I walk that path and cars will travel at a high rate of speed and I usually observe the kids texting while driving. I think a speed hump is needed at the Bay break and a few on south Mobile between Fairhope Avenue and the Grand. Maybe the city can do this when they pave South Mobile? If not, I foresee a pedestrian getting run over one day. Editor, can you pass our concerns to the City?
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Anonymous said…
Why not have some police at these areas. Might even create some revenue.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Anonymous said…
North Summit Street between Oak and North is terrible. There is one speed bump further up way the by Magnolia, but from there north, like a drag strip. Can't blame it all on the young kids, as I have witness a few "soccer" moms or whatever you want to call them, that live in the area. You would think they would want it safe for their babies.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Anonymous said…
Fairhope tries to cram way too much crap in one place. In my opinion the bike lane is ridiculous. A lot of the bikers do not follow rules they will run over you and pass cars on the right side and do not stop at stop signs and ride on side walks. Put that in you walkable pamphlet.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Anonymous said…
We need a bridge over Greeno Road . Lets get going instead of just talk.
Monday, June 13, 2016
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