Pedestrian Safety Summit highlights progress, partnerships, and continued work

Community leaders, educators, transportation professionals, and safety advocates came together for the Pedestrian Safety Summit to discuss the work being done to make Macon-Bibb County safer for people walking, biking, running, and driving.

"Everyone is a pedestrian at some point during the day," said Pedestrian Safety Review Board (PSRB) Chair Greg Brown, who opened the summit by highlighting the importance of raising awareness around pedestrian safety and sharing the history of the Pedestrian Safety Review Board.

The summit also included a special and meaningful recognition with the presentation of the inaugural Michael Ryan Proclamation and Award, honoring pedestrian and bicycle safety advocate Michael Ryan. The recognition celebrates Ryan's dedication to making Macon-Bibb safer and more accessible for people walking and biking, while carrying his commitment to pedestrian and bicycle safety forward.

The conversation around safety also included a reminder of why this work matters. Burdell-Hunt Magnet School Principal Tanya Allen remembered Temiah, a student whose life was tragically lost, sharing memories of the joy and kindness she brought to those around her.

"She loved to draw; she loved to dance. She loved taking care of others," said Allen. "We will miss Temiah forever; she will forever be in our hearts."

Bibb County School District Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims thanked everyone involved for continuing to prioritize safety throughout the community.

"I'm incredibly appreciative of the level of attention we give safety in Macon, including pedestrian safety," said Dr. Sims. "We're going to continue to be in the room because we're a critical part of this community."

Attendees also heard an update on Macon-Bibb's Complete Streets work, including the creation and review of sidewalks and the addition of bicycle facilities. So far, 8.3 miles of bike facilities have been created as efforts continue to make streets safer and more accessible for everyone.

"It's been said before, this is a collective effort," said Macon-Bibb County Traffic Safety Manager Weston Stroud. "It's going to take all of us."

The summit provided an opportunity to recognize the progress that has been made, remember the lives behind the work, and continue conversations about what more can be done to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout Macon-Bibb County.

"Making our streets safer takes all of us, from the people designing and improving our roads to the people driving, walking, and biking on them every day," said Mayor Lester Miller. "We've made progress, but we know there is still more work to do. We want everyone to be able to get where they're going safely, no matter how they choose to get there."