On Tuesday, October 29, the Macon-Bibb’s Pedestrian Safety Review Board (PSRB) will hold another outreach and education event as part of National Pedestrian Safety Month. This event will be held at Disability Connections (3695 Broadway) from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

“We want to hear from people who have mobility issues and those without,” says PSRB Chair Greg Brown. “Our goal is for the Board to hear about areas they are unaware so that those with mobility issues can benefit from improved infrastructure.”

The PSRB will distribute lighted safety armbands safety vests, and brightly colored t-shirts, but the most important part will be to hear from people about the issues they face traveling the city.

“It’s important to go to where people are, and target areas where pedestrian activity is high,” adds Brown. “That’s why we’ve moved around our community: to talk with people in different areas and see the existing conditions firsthand.”   

During October, which is focused on this important issue, the PSRB has held five outreach events and reached more than 200 people. The events have been held in in different areas like the Historic Macon Terminal Station, Macon Mall, Daybreak, and Cherokee Center Shopping. They even spoke with children at Smith Street Baptist Church and took a trip as a Board to see the future East Macon Loop Project on Gray Highway.

“People have been very appreciative of the Board’s efforts to examine existing pedestrian infrastructure, talk with them, and provide them safety supplies,” says Brown. “We’ve even met a number of people who have been hit, or know someone who’s been hit or killed, and they are grateful of the county’s and state’s efforts to make improvements to the roadways.”

Also as part of National Pedestrian Safety Month, several Public Service Announcements by local leaders have been produced to encourage people to drive, walk, and cycle safer. You can watch those here.

For more information about pedestrian safety, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety.