03-05-2025
Anderson City Council asked to adopt complete street policy
ANDERSON — The Anderson City Council is being asked to approve an ordinance to create a Complete Streets group in the city.
At the council's April meeting Ben Orcutt, the owner of Buckskin Bikes, asked that an ordinance be approved to promote safety on streets.
The ordinance is on the agenda for the Thursday council meeting and includes the appointment of citizens to a committee.
Orcutt said Friday that council members are supportive of the proposed ordinance.
'We need to improve infrastructure in the city,' he said. 'The streets are designed for automobile use, but there are people who ride bikes and walk.'
He said the Complete Street policy has been adopted by Madison County and other communities.
'The plan is in the future to make streets safer for all users,' Orcutt said.
Orcutt cited a study done by the Madison County Council of Governments, which found that two pedestrians or bicyclists are injured every month in Anderson.
He said there is an established process to implement the Complete Streets policy.
'We are looking to take a step toward safer streets,' he said. 'There is a wide use of our streets, and we should make accommodations for the people are living here.'
Orcutt said with Anderson wanting to attract young families, there should be an effort to make the streets safer for all users.
'We have too many pedestrians being hit by cars and a lot of traffic accidents,' he said. 'We should be doing our best to make the streets safe.'
Orcutt said he would like to see the bicycle lanes already established in Anderson expanded in the future.
'Every street needs a safer option,' he said. 'There should be areas for pedestrians and bicyclists not in the traffic lanes.'
