We need your support to make Savannah better for people biking and walking

“I wish I could ride my bike to work, but I just don’t feel safe.” 

“I want to walk my children to school, but people won’t stop to let us cross.” 

“I don’t feel safe crossing my street because there is no visibility.”

Does this sound familiar to you? I hear variations of these three statements every single day from people all around our city.

It frustrates me because these are fixable problems. Making biking and walking (and transit riding) more convenient and welcoming through Complete Streets infrastructure like bike lanes, sidewalks and multi-use paths produces the obviously desirable results. But unlike automobile centric infrastructure, everyone benefits from active transportation improvements — even people who drive.

We’ve made great strides on these Complete Streets projects in 2019. We cut the ribbon on improvements on Lincoln Street and Price Street, secured $1 million in SPLOST funding for Tide To Town, begun construction on the Truman Linear Park Trail and provided bikes to more than 110 people in need. But we have a lot we want to tackle in 2020, including needed policy updates, implementing more high-quality bike lanes and multi-use paths, and installing sidewalks and crosswalks across the city. And in order to do that work, I’m asking you to make a tax-deductible contribution today to help us reach our $10,000 goal.

Your contribution will:

  • Help us to provide bicycles to those in need through our New Standard Cycles program.
  • Allow us to continue serving as your voice for connected, equitable and welcoming places to bike and walk.
  • Provide education classes for children and adults.
  • Support our public policy work to ensure that places to bike and walk are always on the list.
  • Help us continue our great events like the Moonlight Garden Ride, Matt’s Moon River Cruise, Tweed Ride, Seersucker Ride, and so much more.

And anyone who donates more than $100 this month will receive a commemorative, limited-edition Bike Walk Savannah mug.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE >

Thank you, as always, for your support of the people-powered movement.

Caila Brown

Bike Walk Savannah Executive Director

This #Giving Tuesday, help us create safe streets for all users — no matter their mode of transportation.

#GivingTuesday

When asked what I was thankful for this year on Thanksgiving, it took me some time to find my answer. I’m thankful for so many things this year — like living in our beautiful city, celebrating the holidays with friends and family, and being able to serve our community in a meaningful way (and did I forget to say I’m thankful for construction beginning on the Truman Linear Park Trail?)

But most of all I’m thankful for you. Our supporters who help us stay the course and will help us reach our vision of a connected community with welcoming places to bike and walk.

We have a lot of work to do to move that vision forward in 2020, including needed policy updates, implementing high-quality bike lanes, and installing sidewalks and crosswalks across the city. And in order to do that work, I’m asking you to make a tax-deductible contribution today to help us reach our $10,000 goal.

Your contribution will:

  • Help us to provide bicycles to those in need through our New Standard Cycles program.
  • Allow us to continue serving as your voice for connected, equitable and welcoming places to bike and walk.
  • Provide education classes for children and adults.
  • Support our public policy work to ensure that places to bike and walk are always on the list.
  • Help us continue our great events like the Moonlight Garden Ride, Matt’s Moon River Cruise, Tweed Ride, Seersucker Ride, and so much more.

Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to Bike Walk Savannah.

Thank you, as always, for your support of the people-powered movement.

Caila Brown
Executive Director

Bike Walk Savannah Receives $31,869.28 Grant from Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

Bike Walk Savannah has received a $31,869.28 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

The grant will help finance BWS’s education programs, safety campaigns, work with local governments to improve infrastructure, printing of the popular Bike SAV bike map and guide, pedestrian safety materials, and other programs aimed at making Savannah and Chatham County safer for people who ride bikes and walk for transportation and recreation.

“The loss of one life on our roads is one too many, and the fact that almost all fatal traffic crashes can be prevented is one reason why we are awarding this grant,” said GOHS Director Allen Poole. “The target of zero traffic deaths in our nation is achievable, and we will continue to help develop and implement educational messages, enforcement campaigns, and other safety initiatives aimed at bringing us one step closer to our goal.”

“Many people in Savannah and Chatham County depend on biking and walking for daily transportation,” said Caila Brown, executive director of Bike Walk Savannah. “And many more make the choice to add biking and walking to their mobility options, whether for transportation or recreation. We are grateful for the support of GOHS as it allows us to continue and expand the programs we’ve been offering, with the goal of improving safety for all people on the streets of Chatham County, no matter their mode of transportation.”

The grant year for this award is Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020.

Truman Linear Park Trail Design Open House to be held Aug. 1

On Thursday, August 1, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Temple – Oasis Building (4625 Waters Avenue, Savannah, GA 31404) the City of Savannah will hold a Public Information Open House concerning the Truman Linear Park Trail Phase IIB (Bee Road to Derenne Ave.)

Truman Linear Park Trail will provide a separate, recreational pedestrian and bicycle facility that expands and enhances the non–motorized transportation network; improves non–motorized connections and access to key destinations, such as schools, parks, neighborhoods, etc.; and improves safety for all non–motorized users. Truman Linear Park Trail Phase IIB is approximately 1.9 miles long and begins at Jenkins High School, tying to Phase IIA, and ends at the intersection of 52nd Street and Bee Road, tying to Phase I (Police Memorial Trail). The proposed typical section would consist of a 10–foot wide, ADA accessible, shared–use, concrete trail, with 10–foot wide timber bridge crossings at ditches, and a 10–foot wide pre–fabricated bridge crossing the Old Casey Canal. When fully constructed the trail will provide almost 9 miles of contiguous recreation trail, including the loop trails at Lake Mayer and Daffin Park, and will link 827 acres of existing City and County parks.

The Open House will be held from 4-7 p.m., and provide the public with an opportunity to view the project, ask questions, and comment on the project. 

The meeting site is accessible to persons with disabilities. Accommodations for people with disabilities can be arranged with advance notice by calling Nick Deffley, City of Savannah Directory of Sustainability at (912) 651–6909. The meeting site is also accessible via CAT routes 27 & 28, and by taking the Habersham St. bike lane to 63rd St. 

Advocacy Opportunity: NewZO to be voted on July 18

On Thursday, July 18, the proposed New Zoning Ordinance (NewZO) will go before City Council for adoption. Our current ordinance was adopted in 1960. The NewZO is more efficient, more transparent, and is more consistent both with today’s development patterns and our vision for future growth as expressed in the Comprehensive and Strategic Plans.

NewZo supports a more bikeable and walkable Savannah by promoting a healthy built environment. Please join us in supporting this critical update by contacting City Council. Email or call your representatives today and ask them to adopt NewZO on July 18.

To promote thriving neighborhoods, NewZO must promote mixed-use, promote diverse housing types and appropriate housing density, create a connected street network for all users by making Complete Streets our standard, and promote small scale development to support neighborhood stability and character. READ MORE HERE

NewZO Public Hearing this Thursday, June 20

Our current zoning ordinance is outdated and inefficient — after all, it hasn’t been updated since the 1960’s. And a lot has changed since then!

While it has been amended numerous times, it has never been overhauled to reflect the many changes that have occurred. It can be inefficient, redundant, confusing and contradictory among other concerns.

While NewZO isn’t perfect, it puts our community on a much better footing to increase affordable housing options, to reduce the prevalence of food desserts, to grow our local businesses, and (most importantly, we think) to create a bikeable and walkable Savannah.

Want to learn more about NewZO? Check out this video from the City of Savannah or read this article in the Savannah Morning News.

Whether or not you can attend this Thursday’s meeting, I urge you to write to your alderman.

Sample Language:

I live in District x (or neighborhood x). As a parent/resident/business owner/concerned citizen, I support the NewZO. It is far more efficient and clear than our current ordinance. With enCode, NewZO increases transparency. NewZO supports neighborhood goals like stability/reinvestment/livability.
 
NewZO is the result of broad community effort over more than a decade. Please support NewZO now. We cannot afford to wait.

If you are able to attend, please wear blue in support. City Hall is located at 2 E. Bay Street, and the meeting will begin promptly at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 20.

I’ll save you a seat!

Caila Brown
Executive Director

News Cycle:Cycling and diversity: The larger context

Cycling and diversity: The larger context by John Bennett was originally published in Connect Savannah on May 29, 2019.

IF YOU want to encourage and empower people to become more physically active and improve the health of entire neighborhoods, Armand Turner is your man.

“You really have to figure out what people enjoy doing already and then give them the opportunity and tools to do it more consistently,” he said.

It’s an approach he first learned as a summer camp counselor in Indiana and later working as the head of the recreation and intramural sports department of Albany State University.

Today Turner is managing the physical activity component of a $3.4 million Centers for Disease Control grant awarded to Healthy Savannah through the YMCA of Coastal Georgia. The funding from the CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity is aimed at reducing health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest burden of chronic disease using culturally tailored interventions to address preventable risk behaviors. Savannah is one of 31 communities nationwide to receive a Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health grant.

Healthy Savannah will use the funding to reduce health disparities among African American and Hispanic/Latino Americans in low income areas of Chatham County by improving access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity, and creating more effective links between people in need and the clinical service providers and organizations that can help.

Turner sees the REACH grant fitting into a larger context.

“It seems as if a lot of things are lining up for Savannah to be one of the healthiest cities in the South, between the coalition of health organizations looking to deconstruct old habits of unhealthy living to opportunities to make healthier choices easier for citizens through the new zoning ordinance. Savannah has the chance to flip the switch and it’s sitting right in front of us,” he said.

In order to flip that switch, especially when it comes to encouraging physical activity, barriers must be overcome.

“In the hierarchy of ‘reasons not to do anything,’ personal safety will always be at the top,” he said. “No one wants to ride a bike if they think they’re more likely to get in an accident, than to get where they’re going.”

Turner said improving safety is key to encouraging people to bike and walk for recreation and transportation.

Read the full article in Connect Savannah.

BWS receives grant from Downtown Neighborhood Association

Improving literacy, teaching children about healthy food, enhancing bike safety, sponsoring summer camps, providing food and shelter for the needy, tree planting and care, Forsyth Park preservation, youth conflict resolution, and counseling for women who have experienced trauma. These are just some of the activities that the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) will support with its 2019 Community Partner Grant Program.

DNA’s Board of Directors recently announced the recipients of this year’s grants. They are:

Bike Walk Savannah $1,500

Deep Center $3,000

Emmaus House Soup Kitchen $1,000

Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home Foundation $1,500

Forsyth Farmer’s Market, $1,000

Frank Callen Boys & Girls Clubs $5,000

Friends of Massie $500

Heads Up Guidance Services $1,000

Inner City Shelter $1,000

League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia $1,000

Loop It up Savannah $1,500

Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire $2,000

Savannah Association for the Blind $500

Savannah Children’s Choir $2,000

Savannah Tree Foundation $1,000

Thomas Park Food Pantry $1,000

Trustees Garden Club $5,000

Urban Hope, Inc. $5,000

WRUU-LP $500

Each year, the DNA bestows grants to community organizations that have an impact on the greater downtown area, particularly those that help or enrich the residential quality of life. Each recipient goes through an application process and before the DNA Board of Directors for selection.

“Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Historic Landmark District, protect Savannah’s unique downtown environment, and advocate public policies which support these objectives,” said Melinda Allen, president of the DNA. “With that in mind, our grant programs are geared to protecting the Landmark District’s architectural heritage and encouraging restoration & beautification. We also support local organizations that enhance the community through aid to Savannah’s citizens, education, safety, music, and youth development. We’re very proud of supporting these organizations and the outstanding work they do for the community.”

The funds for the grants are raised each year through the DNA’s Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns. Members and supporters of the DNA open their homes and inns for visitors to tour and learn about architecture, home décor, and the history and culture of the South. Close to a hundred volunteers supported the day-long event held last December. The DNA sold more than 800 tickets and raised $45,000 from the event. With two-thirds going to grants, the additional $10,000 will support community initiatives that address livability issues for downtown residents.

Bike Walk Savannah Names Caila Brown New Executive Director

The board of directors of Bike Walk Savannah, formerly Savannah Bicycle Campaign, has selected Caila Brown to serve as its full-time executive director.

Brown previously served as board of directors chair and has been a board member since 2010. During her time as chair she oversaw the organization’s transition from Savannah Bicycle Campaign to Bike Walk Savannah, demonstrating a new, more inclusive vision for Savannah.

“Caila brings to the position deep institutional knowledge and a long history of service to Bike Walk Savannah, demonstrated leadership as a professional bicycle and pedestrian advocate, and a broad command of local, state, and national policy issues,” said Charisse Bennett, board secretary. “She is the ideal person to move the organization forward in its second decade and make our streets safer for people of all ages, abilities, and incomes.”

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead Bike Walk Savannah,” Brown said. “I’m eager to continue the work of John Bennett, the previous executive director, along with our talented board, dedicated volunteers and supportive community partners.”

Brown will be responsible for coordinating Bike Walk Savannah’s events, including Matt’s Moon River Cruise and the Moonlight Garden Ride. She will also oversee the operation of the organization’s New Standard Cycles Program, which provides dependable transportation to underserved individuals throughout Savannah and Chatham County, in addition to producing the BikeSAV Guide and working with City of Savannah staff and elected officials on policies and projects that affect people who bike and walk.

“I believe that residents and visitors of Savannah deserve to travel our beautiful city safely and with dignity, no matter their mode of transportation,” Brown said. “By making our streets safer for people who bike and walk we make them safer for all road users. Additionally, these improvements play a critical role in creating communities that are healthy, culturally vibrant and economically robust.”

Brown served as interim executive director following the departure of John Bennett, who served as executive director from 2013-2019. She began her full-time role with BWS on March 28.

Brown previously served as Complete Streets Program Manager for Georgia Bikes. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Brown can be reached directly at caila@bikewalksavannah.org.