At the end of September, we were excited to see a press release from the City of Charlottesville announcing that the Safe Streets project would begin immediately with a trial at the first site on both of our proposals: the Belmont Bridge.
Walk & Bike
Bike and pedestrian connectivity are a great way to enhance quality of life and create healthy, thriving urban communities. The gains to a community are numerous and can include expanded transportation options, greater economic development opportunities, and improved health and wellness.
Walk Bike Ride: Join the Piedmont Mobility Alliance
The Piedmont Environmental Council is pulling together an alliance of organizations that share a vision of a better-connected community for walking, biking and other forms of active transportation in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Take Action: Support the Monticello Connector Path
The proposal to design and build a shared-use path along Route 20 from Charlottesville to the newly reopened Saunders Monticello Trail faces a crucial test at the Wednesday, June 17, Albemarle Board of Supervisors meeting.
Connectivity Update / New Pedestrian Bridge Installed at Woolen Mills
Albemarle County took a significant step forward last week. On Tuesday, June 30, Brian Roy’s team at Woolen Mills lowered into place a new pedestrian bridge spanning Moore’s Creek, closing a critical gap in the Rivanna Trail. It brings what had been a little-used trail section back into service, providing everyday access to nature for nearby residents and opening the door to several enticing additional connections, including a pedestrian crossing of the Rivanna River, which is currently being studied.
Self-Guided Public Art Bike Tour
Charlottesville (and urban areas of Albemarle County) has a rich collection of murals and large-scale sculptures that incorporate community perspectives, showcase the talents of regional and international artists, while contributing to the cultural and visual vibrancy of the city.
Reconnecting To Our Premier Outdoor Destination
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Planning Organization is applying for a VDOT SmartScale grant in the 2020 cycle to build a shared-use path along Route 20, connecting Charlottesville sidewalks and bike lanes to the entrance of Piedmont Virginia Community College and the Saunders-Monticello Trail and beyond. In doing so, the project will link Charlottesville and Albemarle communities together and integrate the area’s most popular trail into the regional network and bring numerous economic, environmental and health benefits. The $2.5M grant request will be submitted this summer.
Join the Piedmont Mobility Alliance
We believe that everyone in our community should have multimodal access to education, employment, and recreational opportunities. Access to these opportunities must be safe, comfortable, convenient, and free from physical and systemic barriers for individuals of all ages, abilities, and racial and ethnic backgrounds. Meeting this essential standard makes our community healthier, more sustainable, and more just. This new alliance will be dedicated to improving mobility and promoting active lifestyles and everyday access to the outdoors.
Video: Building Bike and Pedestrian Connections
We’re working with a diverse coalition of organizations and communities to envision and implement a comprehensive network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that is safe, inclusive, and useful for transportation in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
BikeCville is Back!
BikeCville is a series of relaxed all-ability group bike rides in Charlottesville, VA, hosted by The Piedmont Environmental Council and other local organizations. The purpose is to have fun while raising the visibility of cycling, encouraging hesitant cyclists, educating and fostering the region’s advocacy network. All rides are free, open to all and appropriate for anyone who can ride for half an hour.
Ten Ways to Make your Business More Bike-Friendly
Many people tell us that they would like to bike to work. Although the roads themselves may be daunting often the problem lies at their destination–their place of employment. Happily, there are some simple things employers can do to make their businesses more bike-friendly.