In partnership with the City of Little Rock, graduate students from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service will present recommendations for the future of active transportation in central Arkansas.
The presentation will offer ideas for future bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the city. The recommendations were obtained through interviews with public officials in Austin, Texas; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Fayetteville, Ark.; and Memphis, Tenn. regarding their cities’ active transportation networks.
The presentation will take place on April 22, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Sturgis Hall, Clinton School of Public Service (1200 President Clinton Aveune, Little Rock, AR 72120).
Clinton School students Rebecca Zimmermann of Little Rock, Ark., Brandon Mathews of Fort Smith, Ark., and Tatiana Riddle of Guy, Ark. worked with Jeremy Lewno, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the City of Little Rock to develop the recommendations.
Little Rock is experiencing a renewed interest in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. With projects such as the addition of bicycle lanes on a section of Main Street in downtown Little Rock, and the completion of the Two Rivers Bridge and the Big Dam Bridge, walking and bicycling is on the rise.
The City of Little Rock continues to strive toward developing a larger bicycle and pedestrian presence by recently hiring a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator in March 2013. The City is also currently developing a Complete Streets ordinance, which would require streets to include facilities for all modes of transportation, including people on bikes and walkers.
“This project is important for so many reasons. Having active transportation options such as bicycling and walking will improve the overall health and quality of life for everyone,” said Jeremy Lewno. “Connected biking and walking networks also make Little Rock a more desirable location for companies to invest in, creating more jobs and economic prosperity for our city.”
As native Arkansans, Zimmermann, Mathews, and Riddle are honored to have an opportunity to enhance Little Rock’s livability.
“As I begin to plan my life with my fiancé, Elisabeth, we are looking at cities that provide us not just great career opportunities, but for cities that have an active and healthy community,” said Mathews. “I am excited to be working on a project that will help Little Rock be that community.”
This project is one of 11 to be completed by 41 Clinton School students across the state of Arkansas. These students are in their second semester of classes in the school’s Master of Public Service degree program.
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