ATX Walk Bike Roll Community Ambassador Report

A public outreach summary detailing the public engagement efforts from ATX Walk Bike Roll Community Ambassadors.

Austin Public Works and Austin Transportation Departments

May 4, 2022

Introduction

Ambassador Program | Amplifying the Community's Voice

12 community members were selected to work part-time as Ambassadors to collect feedback from their communities on updates to the Sidewalks, Urban Trails and Bicycle Plans. The Ambassadors received feedback by hosting and organizing individual events with people within and outside of their community.

The feedback they’ve collected will help shape the future of Austin’s pedestrian and bicycle routes. The Ambassadors have focused their outreach efforts on communities of color, people with lower-incomes, older and younger residents, people with disabilities, people born in other countries, and people from other underrepresented groups.

Ambassador Actions

Over five months, ATX Walk Bike Roll Ambassadors held 67 engagement events. These included one-on-one interviews, personalized surveys, worksheets, and more. Over 494 people participated in the Ambassadors’ events.

Ambassador Phase 1 Community Feedback

Input the Ambassadors received highlighted issues and concerns that impact neighborhoods all over Austin. Feedback was diverse, but some major themes became clear as the project team analyzed community input.

Engagement Themes

Biking
Community
Public Safety and Environment
Sidewalk Conditions
Sustainability
Urban Trails
Various Safety and Access Concerns
Walkability

On Desire for Protected and/or Separated Bike Lanes Quote: "Longtime cyclist and user of bike lanes. I’ve had run-ins with cars and have almost been hit multiple times. I do not feel safe riding in Austin. The cars are too big, too fast, and they do not respect cyclists. Would like to see more protected bike lanes that are separated from cars." — Desire for Protected and/or Separated Bike Lanes

On Desire for Protected and/or Separated Bike Lanes Quote: "One deaf resident would like separate paths for bicycles, so as to keep cyclists, automobiles, and pedestrians away from each other; would also like to prohibit bicycles from crossing intersections at the same time as pedestrians, particularly in areas or intersections that are busy and/or accident prone, such as near the UT campus." — Desire for Protected and/or Separated Bike Lanes

On Bicycle Policy, Enforcement, and Education Quote: "We need to make bikers feel safer and enforce laws that do! Give infractions to bad drivers who verbally threaten or do dangerous maneuvers around bikers. I’ve been threatened and almost ran over by angry drivers making illegal turns around me.” — Bicycle Policy, Enforcement, and Education

On Biking People desire dedicated bicycle lanes for more safety and protection when riding. Many people request more traffic law enforcement so cyclists, drivers and pedestrians can safely operate on the roads together.

On Low-Income Displacement Quote: “Saw two more homes being prepared for seeming relocation - but perhaps demolition. There seems to be at least one property on every single block which is turning into one or several gentrified homes for people with much higher income and other privileges than those they have displaced. The cars I see are getting more expensive and of luxury brands. It hurts to be so aware that this is the active and ongoing displacement driving out older, longtime, nonwhite, and/or low-income renters and owners. I feel robbed of my enjoyment and helpless to regain it. It’s very demoralizing and disincentivizing.” — Low-Income Displacement

On City of Austin Coordination and Investment Quote: “The City needs to invest more resources in listening to residents of color and implementing policies that vulnerable populations want. I want to see sidewalk and bike lane improvements that are couple with “right of return” and other housing policies that keep people in their homes and prevent gentrification.” — City of Austin Coordination and Investment

On Volunteer Engagement Opportunities and Improves Accessibility to Engage Quote: “We need accessible meetings for interested parties at all different hours of the day, so that people in different career fields can attend and make their voice heard. Not everyone is in a 9-5 or have weekends open.” — Volunteer Engagement Opportunities and Improves Accessibility to Engage

On Community People are concerned that communities are being lost within ever changing neighborhoods and say the voices of those being impacted need to be heard and listened to. They ask the City to work and communicate with these communities to ensure improvements and positive changes are made for those currently living in these neighborhoods.

On Race and Gender Quote: “One block is extra busy today with construction on both sides of the street, just past Redd. I feel people look at me and I am anxiously wondering if it has anything to do with either being perceived as a woman or an androgynous person, or if they are looking at the dogs, or if this experience is more universal and it’s just very uncomfortable for me.” — Race and Gender

On Litter and Debris Quote: “The sidewalk that goes over the defunct railroad to the St Elmo elementary parking lot has been updated within the last year; it’s wider. There is often trash and sometimes broken glass here. Make it easier for pedestrians/bikers to report these types of issues and get them resolved.” — Litter and Debris

On Lighting Quote: “[It] is very dark to walk at night making that insecure for the people who arrive from work la te and the only option to walk the dogs or exercise is at night. The sidewalks are wide enough to walk and move with kids around but is very necessary to put some lights.” — Lighting

On Theft Quote: “At night, if you leave your car outside, is very likely, thieves open the cars and steal what is inside.” — Theft

Public Safety and Environment People don’t feel safe in certain areas of the city due to racial and gender issues, not enough lighting, and the possibility of theft/crime. The lack of maintenance in these areas adds to their unease.

On Sidewalk Repairs Needed Quote: “I’m an active triathlete and marathon runner but unable to do these activities right now because of an injury which has caused a physical disability. I’m an active user of urban trails, parks, and bike lanes, bu t the sidewalks are AWFUL. I must traverse using knee crutches, and it’s very difficult to get around on crutches on sidewalks. Sidewalks are in a rough condition where I live in East Austin, even when I’m was able to get around on foot.” — Sidewalk Repairs Needed

On Improvements Needed at Crosswalks and Curb Cuts Quote: “Need for more talking lights, pedestrian beacons to help cross street. Problem with curb cuts downtown east to west 4th to 6th street.” — Improvements Needed at Crosswalks and Curb Cuts

On New ADA Accessible Sidewalks Needed Quote: “Saw my neighbor, an elderly white amputee in a motorized wheelchair, with his dog. I see them often and they are always having to use the roads because there are no sidewalks in most of the neighborhood. I worry that some of the semis and other construction trucks might not see him when they come out of their work sites, because there are often cars parked along both sides of the streets.” — New ADA* Accessible Sidewalks Needed

Concerns about Sidewalk Conditions People expressed that the current condition of many sidewalks, crosswalks, and curbs are impacting people’s ability to successfully maneuver around their neighborhoods. These conditions are especially difficult for those with disabilities and injuries.

On Climate Change Quote: “When the road takes a curve at St. Elmo, the shade ends, so this is where we turn around and walk on the other side of the street into oncoming traffic. When we get to the gentrifier block we are able to cross the street to walk on its mulch and xeriscape yards. At least these ones kept the trees, but plant diversity and density seems very reduced, unlike many of the established properties with usually some permaculture, older growth, and biodiversity.” — Climate Change

On Landscaping Practices Quote: “Allow more wild plants to grow. All over, it doesn't need to be so manicured either. Allow more places to be wild, stop planting Bermuda Grass. If you allow the land to heal you will be so surprised what it can provide to you in return. Turn lots into regrowth areas, put a little trail through it, right? What a good idea...” — Landscaping Practices

Sustainability People desire more environmentally friendly landscaping practices that will help benefit the look and overall health of Austin’s ecosystems and climate.

On Neighborhood Connections and Urban Trails Quote: “I would like more working restrooms and water fountains on local trails, including the Ladybird Lake Trail; the existing restrooms and water fountains sometimes are not in operation. Would also like to see the addition of family restrooms on the Ladybird Lake Trail; sometimes need to change a diaper, and I have never seen a diaper changing facility in any of the public restrooms.” — Neighborhood Connections and Urban Trails

On Neighborhood Connections and Urban Trails Quote: “Recently moved from 78741 to 78745 and have noticed a huge drop off in the quality of access to local trails. Would like to see better trail and bike lane connections to major local trails, like Ladybird Lake Trail, Shoal Creek Trail, and Onion Creek Park.” — Neighborhood Connections and Urban Trails

On Amenities, Safety and Welcoming Spaces Quote: “Respondents would like to see improvements along the Ladybird Lake Trail that will be more child friendly including: areas allowing for breastfeeding, changing tables within/better maintenance of existing public restrooms along the trail. Respondents do not feel comfortable walking on the Ladybird Lake Trail early in the morning or late at night, by themselves or with their children.” — Amenities, Safety and Welcoming Spaces

On Amenities, Safety and Welcoming Spaces Quote: “Had a group of BiPOC individuals mention not feeling that they did not necessarily feel comfortable on the trail and tidbits of the majority population being white individuals”. — Amenities, Safety and Welcoming Spaces

Urban Trails Feedback suggests that accessibility to trails is limited in some areas and the upkeep of existing trails needs improvement, including restrooms and water fountains. People desire that current and future urban trails focus on inclusion and better amenities for all.

On Various Types of Speed Control and Unsafe Crossings/Corners Quote: “They think bikes and pedestrians should share space off the road, on widened paths. It wasn’t a good idea to put bikes on the road with cars, given how dangerous it is to bike in busy Austin traffic (speeding vehicles) and given the amount of traffic in Austin at the moment. The Pleasant Valley bridge was a good example (used to be way too narrow, cyclists and pedestrians could barely squeeze by on the sidewalk).” — Various Types of Speed Control and Unsafe Crossings/Corners

On Various Types of Speed Control and Unsafe Crossings/Corners Quote: “I feel nervous walking on Riverside Drive because cars drive fast and are close to the sidewalk. I do feel more comfortable walking on South Congress Avenue. I also worry about drivers on Redd Road St. & Mt. Vernon, as many speed through - even one of the construction workers today didn’t stop at a stop sign. I am always on alert walking that route. Especially since it is shaded, I think that’s wonderful for walking and biking and the environment, but also reduces visibility to drivers.” — Various Types of Speed Control and Unsafe Crossings/Corners

On Scooter Use, Placement, and Management Quote: “I prefer to ride the scooters in the bike lanes and would thus be interested in adding more bike lanes. The bike lanes are smoother and have fewer cracks than the sidewalks (the bumps / cracks on the sidewalks can be dangerous if you’re on the scooter). I try not to use the scooter on the road and don’t even bike much because drivers here are so dangerous.” — Scooter Use, Placement, and Management

On Scooter Use, Placement, and Management Quote: “Utilized scooters not as a form of transportation for daily activities but when going from establishment to establishment on streets such as Rainy/East Sixth. When I brought up the possibility of utilizing scooters as a method of transportation for regular activities many were interested in trying this out but not common for them. Adding more scooters to the Riverside area (he would probably use a scooter over a bicycle, but there aren’t enough in the area, they’re mostly all downtown).” — Scooter Use, Placement, and Management

Various Safety and Access Concerns People expressed that a lack of enforcement of speed limits, stop signs, and unsafe drivers have made them uncomfortable walking. Different modes of transportation like scooters would be embraced if the infrastructure existed in all neighborhoods.

On Access to Employment Quote: “I can no longer work from home, so would prefer if I didn’t have to drive every day to work. I would rather spend my time walking than sitting in traffic. I would also like to have more bikeshare spots in Austin as my personal bike was stolen and haven’t been able to invest in a new bike. Motivate companies to institute work from home policies by providing financial incentives to them.” — Access to Employment

On Access to Public Transportation Quote: “If I were to improve anything about public transportation options to accommodate their use, it would be to have buses run more frequently (I have to wait longer than I would like, especially later in the day). Buses in my area are rarely on time, and that is especially difficult in the summer heat when I’m waiting, sometimes without shade, for longer than I had expected.” — Access to Public Transportation

On Access to Amenities Quote: “Austin is a historical racially segregated space, which includes the access or lack thereof to green spaces. Black and Latinx communities are overwhelmingly excluded from “enjoying” these amenities in the city. It’s evident from a simple ride in historic Black and Latinx predominant communities. The addition of bike lanes and improvements of trails in these neighborhoods didn’t come about until gentrification to accommodate the newer white residents. It’s evident.” — Access to Amenities

On Overgrown Hedges and Plants Quote: “Today walked from Mount Vernon onto St Elmo, down 3rd, then Philco to 2nd, and back on St Elmo to Mount Vernon. The corner yard at St Elmo usually has overgrown bushes, nopal, and agave that overhang the sidewalk. Sometimes the dogs walk on the sidewalk while I walk in the oncoming bike lane. This can be uncomfortable, as drivers and cyclists often pass thru this intersection quickly and without fully stopping. The sidewalk of the little circle before the stop sign has grass growing through most of its cracks. Similarly, just before James Casey.” — Overgrown Hedges and Plants

On Lack of Shade Cover Quote: “At the Vinson/Philco intersection, the sidewalk meanders a bit, and there is a very brief grass section between the curb and sidewalk where I feel much safer being further from the road. Sometimes I continue walking in the grass where the sidewalk goes back to the roadside; there is also tree shade in this grass.” — Lack of Shade Cover

Walkability and Accessibility Feedback includes concerns about unreliable public transportation and a lack of protected bike paths, and desire for improved shade coverage and landscaping on walking routes. Those interviewed believe mobility options are most accessible in gentrified and predominantly white neighborhoods.

Community Demographics

When possible, Ambassadors were encouraged to collect demographic data from these contributors to understand who we were hearing from.

Graph on Demographics: Race & Ethnicity Subject: Ambassador Engagement By Race & Ethnicity (Aug. 2021 to Dec. 2021) 73 Black identifying persons engaged. 27 Asian identifying persons engaged. 9 Native/Indigenous persons engaged. 47 White identifying persons engaged. 5 Latinx identifying persons engaged.

Demographics: Age Subject: 1 Ambassador Engagement by Age (Aug. 2021 - Dec. 2021) From age 49 years old and under 145 persons engaged. From age 50 years old and above 37 persons engaged.

Demographics: Gender Subject: Ambassador Engagement by Gender (Aug. 2021 - Dec. 2021) 89 Female identifying persons engaged. 68 Male identifying persons engaged. 6 Non-binary persons engaged.

Demographics: Disabled

From August 2021 to December 2021, Ambassadors spoke with 28 individuals whoidentified as Disabled.

Ambassadors received feedback from the following ZIP Codes: 78617, 78708, 78738, 78753, 78662, 78721, 78741, 78754, 78666, 78723, 78744, 78758, 78681, 78724, 78745, 78759, 78701, 78726, 78747, 78702, 78728, 78748, 78704, 78729, 78750, 78705, 78731, 78751

Ambassador Feedback Index Report

The following section provides links to reports the Ambassadors spent hours creating to capture the real feedback received from the communities they engaged. These reports represent the voices of the Ambassadors and the community.

Ambassador Feedback Index Report