1 week Ago
Cracked sidewalks, wide road crossings and distracted drivers were among the key concerns observed during a walk audit Wednesday, April 2, to evaluate pedestrian safety near Summerville High School and Gregg Middle School. Organized by the Summerville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the audit brought together representatives from local schools, the DD2 Foundation, the Summerville Family YMCA and elected officials. Participants met at 8:45 a.
m. outside the front office of Summerville High before setting out to assess the walking route toward Luden Drive. Participants prepare for recent audit walk at Summerville High School.
“The walk audit gave us great insight into the challenges and opportunities for making routes to school safer and more accessible,” said Amanda Metzger, chair of the advisory committee. “It was great to have community leaders and school staff all working together to identify ways to improve walkability and bikeability. We appreciate everyone who joined us and look forward to continuing the conversation on making Summerville more pedestrian-friendly.
” Using a checklist, participants rated various aspects of the pedestrian environment, including sidewalks, street crossings, driver behavior, safety and comfort. Among the problems noted: “Many of our children in Summerville ride bikes or walk to school,” said Joe Debney, CEO of the Summerville Family YMCA and advisory committee member. “Having accessible sidewalks and trails gives them the opportunity to safely go to school.
The town’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee is committed to addressing these needs for our community.” An audit walk took place near Summerville High School. Following the walk, participants gathered back at the high school for a brief debrief session, where they shared their findings and discussed next steps.
The audit’s findings will help guide future recommendations for infrastructure improvements to support safe, accessible and comfortable routes to school for Summerville’s students..
