DARTS seeking input for bike, walking plan

ALBANY, Ga. — Members of the local Metropolitan Planning Organization are seeking the public’s help in crafting a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan, authorities say.

The Dougherty Area Regional Transportation Study’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, or DARTS MPO, is putting together a plan that aims to increase the efficiency and safety of bicycle and pedestrian travel throughout the one-and-a-half county area it services.

Thursday, DARTS MPO held an open house at the Government Center in downtown Albany to get feedback from members of the community and to offer access to consultants who will be creating the plan.

“We’re holding a series of public meetings and events to collect information that we can incorporate into the plan,” Albany Transit’s David Hamilton said.

Albany is home to various biking clubs and bicycle enthusiasts who use bicycling both as a means of travel and as a form of relaxation or exercise, Hamilton said.

And keeping bicyclists and walkers safe as they traverse area streets can be a challenge, given increasing traffic and railroad tracks.

According to information presented at the open house, the goal of developing the plan is to improve the safety of bicycle and pedestrian travelers, accommodate those who use bicycling or walking as a primary means of travel and to increase the number of people who bike, walk or run as a means of exercise.

Under their timeline, group members hope to collect public information through the end of July before using that information to assess the needs of the biking and pedestrian community. They plan to develop a preliminary recommendation in August and September, with refined recommendations and an implementation plan expected in October.

The public review and adoption process will likely happen sometime around November or December.

Comments can be left at the DARTS MPO website at www.dartsmpo.org.