Prince Ave Pilot Project

A 2012 study of Prince Avenue by the Athens-Clarke County Planning Department found that over 10% of the workers in the Boulevard area primarily commuted by bicycle and that increasing traffic congestion was a concern for cyclists and pedestrians.

Prince Avenue is scheduled for a pilot project by the end of September, so Athens-Clarke county officials can test out changes aimed at slowing down traffic on the fast-moving corridor, making it safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers.

Two years later, a road safety audit by the Georgia Department of Transportation found that Prince Avenue is a main thoroughfare for cyclists, pedestrians, and bus riders, especially for those living in the surrounding neighborhoods. Due to the high, fast motor traffic along the road, however, cyclists are often forced onto the sidewalk or against traffic.

348 car crashes, 8 involving bikes and 5 involving pedestrians, are documented between 2009 and 2014. The total number of injuries during this time period was 153, with two fatalities. The communities along the corridor reported that they believe many crashes or near-crashes involving pedestrians and bicycles go unreported and that Prince Avenue is perceived as an unsafe and unwelcoming corridor.

The safety audit recommended life-saving traffic calming and bike lanes… back in 2014!

The Georgia Bicycle Safety Action Plan in 2018 discovered 412 collisions in Athens between the years of 2005 and 2015, 5 of which were fatal. The report names Prince Avenue specifically as a priority corridor for safety improvements while highlighting the popularity of bike lanes and the economic benefits to businesses in Athens.

This project is a long time coming, and we at BikeAthens are happy to answer questions and support your organization during the Prince Avenue pilot project and beyond.

Need to get your bike ready so that you can try out the new protected lanes? Bring your bike to Fix Your Own Bike Night (FYOB) each Thursday from 6:00p to 8:30p!  This weekly event open to all experience levels. Bring your bike and use all the handy tools at BikeAthens for a tune-up. Staff and volunteers will be available to assist you. We have music and snacks too. The suggested donation is $10 per hour.

While you have your calendar out, check out our pre-PorchFest biking events: HOW TO BIKE PORCHFEST 2022!