New Bike Paths to link to Path 400 on Windsor Parkway

Sandy Springs is building an extension of the Path 400 multiuse path and a connection to Windsor Parkway.

Southeast Sandy Springs, 400 going up the middle and Windsor parkway going across

 

This is a great addition to the southeast corner of Sandy Springs, which is otherwise lacking in city recreational facilities. However, it lacks access. That section of Windsor only has a sidewalk on the north side, and the Path 400 access is on the south. That existing sidewalk is in bad condition for pedestrians and not necessarily safe for all strollers, wheelchairs, etc.

There is a general lack of accessibility in the area except for people who are driving. Children can't safely ride their bikes outside of short neighborhood streets. Sidewalks are generally in poor repair or of poor design.

The city should build protected bike lanes to connect the area to itself, and to Path 400. Starting with these roads, in descending order.

1. Along Windsor Parkway, from Roswell Road to the eastern edge of the city or at least to Peachtree Dunwoody.
2. High Point Rd, from Windsor to Glenridge.
3. Northland Dr, from Windsor to Glenridge. 

All of these roads are connected to many residential streets. Bike lanes would connect those neighborhoods to Path 400, and also to parts of Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs residents could use Path 400 for recreation. Kids would be able to bike to see visit their friends. Kids could even ride to school, at High Point Elementary, Atlanta Jewish School, and Ridgeview middle school. High Point and Northland connect to the existing bike paths on Glenridge, which are not protected yet but would allow even more people to use the network.

Long term, High Point could be connected to Roswell with bike lanes along other east-west streets between Glenridge and Roswell. That would enable more people to visit businesses along Roswell without having to drive or to ride along Roswell Rd.