City of Asheville’s new Active Transportation Committee gets moving

With pedestrians, cyclists, and greenways in mind, the committee aims to make an impact on the interconnectivity of local transportation.

Roller skaters and cyclists at Wilma Dykeman greenway

The Active Transportation Committee will offer its expertise on greenways, bikes, and sidewalks.

Photo via the City of Asheville

This new committee is ready to hit the road (or sidewalk or greenway). The City of Asheville has created the Active Transportation Committee to take the place of the former Greenway Committee and Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force and to offer its expertise on Asheville’s greenways, bike and micromobility facilities, and sidewalks.

To advocate transportation accessibility and interconnectivity, the Active Transportation Committee will advise the Multimodal Transportation Commission on transportation projects like the GAP Plan and will organize data collection like the annual bicycle/pedestrian count + greenway surveys. The committee’s mission is to enhance local infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, and other human-powered transport (time to break out the rollerblades).

Want to get your input rolling? You can apply to join the committee. The committee will consist of between seven and 11 members, serving for three-year terms. The City lists a wide range of expertise areas on the application — like being a regular bus rider or bicycle commuter or working with the senior population — and if your application isn’t chosen this time around, it’ll be kept on file for the next vacancy.

Even if you don’t become a member, you can still attend the committee’s regular meetings on the first Thursday of each month. Stop by the 4th floor of the Municipal Building this Thursday, Jan. 4 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. to hear what’s on the agenda or join in public comment.