Road Diets
Heather Buckman
Heather’s background in technology, marketing, and social work made real estate the perfect career! When people are buying or selling a house, they ...
Heather’s background in technology, marketing, and social work made real estate the perfect career! When people are buying or selling a house, they ...
Does Jacksonville need to slim down?
Or, do you know what "Road Diets" even are?
Well, the “Road Diet” is a national trend toward decreasing the size of certain roads. In these cases, a lane may be taken away to make more room for pedestrians and bikes. The goal is to decrease the number of cars causing harm to walkers and bikers, especially in areas that have more people walking or riding.
Jacksonville has had a big issue with pedestrian and bike-rider fatalities, putting us on the list of most dangerous places to walk. In fact, a recent report put Jacksonville as the 6th most dangerous city to walk in. Not a good statistic for a town that’s looking to grow and make its urban areas more of an attraction.
There could be downsides to Road Diets though. Roads were widened for reasons, primarily to get more cars through, faster. It’s a factor that can be very important in a city with few public transportation options, very few. Removing lanes has brought concern from some neighborhoods that traffic will be backed up more during peak times, causing commutes to get longer and more frustrating.
So, should we decrease road sizes to ease the danger to walkers and riders.
Or
Should we keep the roads the same to keep traffic congestion at a minimum?
What neighborhoods could really thrive from a Road Diet? Where do we need to make sure added cars don’t slow commutes? Where do you wish you could ride your bike, or walk more safely?
Tell us what you think on our Facebook or on our Instagram post. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Want to know more about how this topic is being seen in Jacksonville?
Here are a few interesting links to articles on the subject and what “Road Diets” could mean for traffic, safety, and even, shopping, and eating.
Road Diets and Soutel Drive, from Jacksonville.com
What Road Diets Could Bring, from The Jaxson
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