Bibb County has articulated as part of its Long-Range Transportation Plan in its Comprehensive Plan to address bicycle and pedestrian issues in the Macon Area Transportation Study (MATS) area. The plans presented proposed routes that were selected from a citizens committee, and the plan also discussed improvements along current routes. The pedestrian element identified pedestrian needs such as sidewalks along transit routes throughout the community that are operated by the Macon Transit Authority.
The first objective was to identify existing routes and new routes that could be improved by adding striping to accommodate a bike lane and/or signage within the existing pavement width without requiring a major road project. The second objective was to identify new routes that would require new construction and coordinate the construction of these routes with Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) projects.
Inventory of Existing Conditions Bikeways
The MATS area currently contains a total of six designated bikeways. One of the bikeways, the Ocmulgee Heritage Greenway, is also a multi-use path. The following table identifies the existing designated bicycle routes:
Existing Designated Bicycle Routes
- Route From To Type Length
- East Macon Coliseum Dr / Main St Shurling Dr / Millerfield Rd Shared Lane 4.4 mi
- Downtown Tatnall Square Park Central City Park Shared Lane 2.9 mi
- Freedom Park Tatnall Square Academy Napier Ave / Forsyth Rd Shared Lane / Bike Lane 5.9 mi
- Columbus Road Brentwood Ave Columbus Rd Shared Lane 3.5 mi
- Central Route Monroe County Line Houston County Line Shared Lane 21.1 mi
- Heritage Greenway MLK Bridge Glenridge Dr Multi-Use Off Road Facility 1.5 mi
Biking, Exercise, and Hiking Trails
- The Ocmulgee Heritage Greenway is a recent addition to the recreation system in Macon-Bibb County. The Greenway is a multi-use path that can accommodate a variety of uses such as, walking, skating, cycling, and general exercise to name a few. Currently the Greenway spans a little over a mile from the Otis Redding Bridge to Glenn Ridge Drive in the Shirley Hills neighborhood. In less than three years, the Greenway will continue to the Old Macon Water Works site near North Pierce Avenue. The Greenway, when fully implemented, will span the entire length of the county by traversing along the Ocmulgee River. By spanning the entire length of the county, the Greenway will provide a means of connectivity for many areas in the county.
- East Macon Park is the only park in Bibb County that offers facilities that are specifically designed for cycling and hiking. The park operates a BMX bike trail for people interested in what has now become known as Extreme Sports, or it can be used for novice level use. The park also has a nature trail that can be used for nature hiking or biking.
Pedestrian Objectives
Bibb County’s Comprehensive Plan defined several pedestrian recommendations to enhance the Neighborhood Pedestrian Realm, the following development guidelines and policy recommendations were suggested:
- Develop a phased plan to repair and redevelop all deteriorated public pedestrian- realm features in Macon-Bibb county neighborhoods;
- Develop and adopt a Design Plan for the redevelopment of all deteriorated public pedestrian-realm features not meeting the full potential of Macon-Bibb County neighborhoods;
- Establish maintenance standards; regulate property maintenance; and penalize property owners who fail to maintain properties per maintenance standards established for design elements including sidewalks, street tree type and sizes, fence and hedge standards, window openings, awnings, etc.
Rural/Suburban Pedestrian Realms should include the following characteristics:
- Sidewalks wide enough to accommodate projected pedestrian traffic;
- Commercial buildings built up to the sidewalk edge;
- Design guidelines to ensure uniformity of realm;
- Pedestrian furniture such as benches, trash baskets, planters, etc.;
- Street trees and on-street parking to provide protection;
- Continuous awnings in commercial areas to provide protection;
- Semi-public edge treatments such as fencing or hedging in residential areas;
- Pedestrian-scaled lighting fixtures;
- Textured crosswalks.
To enhance the Rural/Suburban Realm, the following development guidelines and policy recommendations were suggested:
- Develop a phased plan to repair and redevelop all deteriorated public pedestrian- realm features in Macon-Bibb County neighborhoods;
- Develop and adopt a Design Plan for the redevelopment of all deteriorated public pedestrian-realm features not meeting the full potential of Macon-Bibb County neighborhoods;
- Establish maintenance standards; regulate property maintenance and penalize property owners who fail to maintain properties per maintenance standards established for design elements including sidewalks, street tree type and sizes, fence and hedge standards, window openings, awnings, etc.