ATX Safer Streets released its 2015 Master Plan on Feb. 2.[/caption]
Nearing its one-year anniversary, transportation advocacy group ATX Safer Streets provided an overview Feb. 2 of its anticipated efforts for this year.
The ATX Safer Streets 2015 Master Plan details the nonprofits early successes and plans for helping create more alternative late-night transportation options. Members of ATX Safer Streets ultimately seek to reduce or eliminate intoxicated driving, and that effort has so far been embraced by Austin residents and city officials alike, said Executive Director Sara LeVine, who co-founded the group.
"It's been very surprising because I didn't have any background in this—I've been a bartender basically my entire life," LeVine said. "So it's been very gratifying because it means to me we have a message that resonates with people."
Her group last year successfully campaigned for the legalization of transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, and helped end weekend towing in the downtown parking lot beneath I-35. The nonprofit's master plan identifies 10 new goals for 2015, such as extensions to late-night bus service, more transportation options during so-called No Refusal Weekends and restrictions on overnight towing near bars and clubs.
ATX Safer Streets also seeks to create a partnership with local law enforcement to raise awareness about alternative transportation options and the risks associated with intoxicated driving.
Lets start with incremental changes that hopefully add up to a huge difference in the end, LeVine said.
The master plan also highlights some underlying forces that limit their progress. Amid-2014 survey of 651 Austin residents showed that 73 percent of late-night revelers drive to the bar and 67 percent drive home. However, respondents proclaimed near-unanimous support for expanded and later public transit service, suggesting to LeVine that bar-goers would use alternatives if they were available.
"Basically we don't care how its done as long as its done," LeVine said. "Whether it's rail or buses, no matter which mode they choose, we just want to see those options there."
The group's next survey will focus on out-of-town visitors during the South by Southwest Media Conference in March. LeVine said they are seeking initial impressions of Austin and examples of other city's successful late-night transportation systems.
For the full report, visit the
ATX Safer Streets website.
Joe Lanane’s career is rooted in community journalism, having worked for a variety of Midwest-area publications before landing south of the Mason-Dixon line in 2011 as the Stillwater News-Press news editor. He arrived at Community Impact Newspaper in 2012, gaining experience as editor of the company’s second-oldest publication in Leander/Cedar Park. He eventually became Central Austin editor, covering City Hall and the urban core of the city.
Lanane leveraged that experience to become Austin managing editor in 2016. He managed eight Central Texas editions from Georgetown to San Marcos. Working from company headquarters, Lanane also became heavily involved in enacting corporate-wide editorial improvements. In 2017, Lanane was promoted to executive editor, overseeing editorial operations throughout the company. The Illinois native received his bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and his journalism master’s degree from Ball State University.
ATX Safer Streets released its 2015 Master Plan on Feb. 2.[/caption]
Nearing its one-year anniversary, transportation advocacy group ATX Safer Streets provided an overview Feb. 2 of its anticipated efforts for this year.
The ATX Safer Streets 2015 Master Plan details the nonprofits early successes and plans for helping create more alternative late-night transportation options. Members of ATX Safer Streets ultimately seek to reduce or eliminate intoxicated driving, and that effort has so far been embraced by Austin residents and city officials alike, said Executive Director Sara LeVine, who co-founded the group.
"It's been very surprising because I didn't have any background in this—I've been a bartender basically my entire life," LeVine said. "So it's been very gratifying because it means to me we have a message that resonates with people."
Her group last year successfully campaigned for the legalization of transportation network companies, such as Uber and Lyft, and helped end weekend towing in the downtown parking lot beneath I-35. The nonprofit's master plan identifies 10 new goals for 2015, such as extensions to late-night bus service, more transportation options during so-called No Refusal Weekends and restrictions on overnight towing near bars and clubs.
ATX Safer Streets also seeks to create a partnership with local law enforcement to raise awareness about alternative transportation options and the risks associated with intoxicated driving.
Lets start with incremental changes that hopefully add up to a huge difference in the end, LeVine said.
The master plan also highlights some underlying forces that limit their progress. Amid-2014 survey of 651 Austin residents showed that 73 percent of late-night revelers drive to the bar and 67 percent drive home. However, respondents proclaimed near-unanimous support for expanded and later public transit service, suggesting to LeVine that bar-goers would use alternatives if they were available.
"Basically we don't care how its done as long as its done," LeVine said. "Whether it's rail or buses, no matter which mode they choose, we just want to see those options there."
The group's next survey will focus on out-of-town visitors during the South by Southwest Media Conference in March. LeVine said they are seeking initial impressions of Austin and examples of other city's successful late-night transportation systems.
For the full report, visit the ATX Safer Streets website.
