"No one wants to get hit by a car."

Birmingham has made a concerted effort to vastly improve biking infrastructure over the last 3-4 years. Every time a road is resurfaced, that road is evaluated for additional uses, such as the installation of bike lanes. #safestreets #streetlife #bike #bikelife #urbanism

Cyclists have the same legal right to use public roads as people driving cars. Riding with traffic is not reckless, it is lawful, expected, and protected.

Safer streets do not happen by accident. When cities invest in protected bike infrastructure and design streets that slow traffic, more people feel confident riding, commuting, and moving through their neighborhoods.

Bike commuting turns everyday travel into something healthier, cheaper, and more human. It saves money on gas and parking, improves physical and mental health, and reduces traffic for everyone.

"Change happens with us and not to us"

#urbanism #urbanplanning #urbanist #cityplanning

Woodlawn sits between two major corridors that were built to move cars fast, not people safely.

#Woodlawn #SafeStreets #PeopleFirst #TrafficCalming #StreetSafety #Urbanism #BetterStreets #VisionZero #CommunityFirst #BirminghamAL

For Woodlawn, the road diet on 1st Avenue South is just the beginning.
#PeopleFirstStreets #RoadDiets #TrafficCalming #ShopLocal #SmallBusinessSupport #CompleteStreets #SafeStreets #Urbanism #WalkableCities #BikeFriendly

When streets slow down, local businesses speed up.

#PeopleFirstStreets #RoadDiets #TrafficCalming #ShopLocal #SmallBusinessSupport #CompleteStreets #SafeStreets #Urbanism #WalkableCities #BikeFriendly

Bike commuting is affordable, practical, and accessible. A reliable bike can cost less than a month of car ownership, with no gas or insurance.

#BikeCommuting #TransportationJustice #PeopleFirstStreets #RedemptiveCycles

While riding along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive next to Elmwood Cemetery, Brian Toone pointed out a stretch of road where he was once badly hit by a car.

Bike commuting is reshaping how people experience Birmingham.

#BikeBirmingham #ActiveTransportation #BetterBirmingham #SafeStreets

Brian Toone is the kind of rider who turns incredible distances into everyday moments. He has completed some of the toughest ultra cycling challenges in the world and still chooses to ride his bike to work, to races, and even to events hours away.
#UltraCycling #BikeCommuterLife #EnduranceCyclist

Woodlawn shows what happens when a street finally puts people first. Before the road diet, the corridor was defined by danger. Cyclists were hit, crashes went unreported, and at one point a car even ran into a building.

#PeopleFirst #SafeStreets #Urbanism #CompleteStreets

The Woodlawn Road Diet is proving something powerful. When a street is designed for people, everyone wins. As Jackson Dean shared, the biggest change is simple.

#SafeStreets #BirminghamAL #Urbanism #CompleteStreets #WalkableCities #StrongerNeighborhoods #MoveFreelyLiveFully

Streets shape how a neighborhood lives. In Woodlawn, 1st Avenue South once felt like a barrier. Fast traffic, stressful crossings, and limited access made daily movement difficult for residents.

#BetterBirmingham #WoodlawnBHM #UrbanismForAll #SafeStreetsNow #PeopleFirstDesign #WalkableCommunities

Strong homeless services and stable housing are core parts of a healthy city.
#Urbanism #HousingFirst #BirminghamAL #SupportiveHousing #PeopleFirstCities #CommunityCare #MobilityMatters #SafeStreets #StrongerCommunities #BetterBirmingham

"When you do something that's loving, even though your name may never be associated with it or even a movement, I feel like love is eternal and it will continue sparking that in other hearts..." - Bob McKenna
#PeopleFirstCities
#StrongerTogether
#SafeStreetsForAll
#CivicEngagement
#LoveInAction

Here are three accessible ways to make your community better while supporting people-first urbanist goals.

1. Show Up for Your Neighborhood

2. Support and Celebrate Good Urbanism

3. Take Action Where You Stand

#BetterBirmingham #Urbanism #SafeStreets #CommunityBuilding #WalkableCities

Transforming a barren median into a strip of native plants might seem small, but projects like the one led by Laney DeJonge and Homegrown Habitat show how quickly that change improves a neighborhood.
#UrbanNature
#NativePlants
#HabitatInTheCity
#PeopleFirstDesign
#BirminghamAL
#GreenStreets

Better Birmingham works to create communities where every person can walk, roll, bike, or ride safely, and where daily life is supported by thoughtful design, abundant housing, strong public transit, and welcoming public spaces.
#PeopleFirstCities
#Urbanism
#WalkableCommunities
#SafeStreets

“Density, in my mind, is always good, and I think when you are able to interact with your neighbors just in simple, everyday interactions, you are able to grow a tighter community.”
#Urbanism #PeopleFirstDesign #WalkableCities #MixedUseDevelopment #SmartDensity #SafeStreets #StrongNeighborhoods

Safe bike infrastructure is one of the simplest ways to create a city that works for everyone. When people have protected lanes, calm streets, and connected routes, they feel confident choosing healthier and more affordable ways to get around.
#Urbanism #PeopleFirst #SafeStreets #CompleteStreets

Strong families do not grow in isolation. They grow in neighborhoods that are safe, connected, and full of opportunities.

#Urbanism #PeopleFirstDesign #WalkableCities #FamilyFriendlyCities #BetterBirmingham #SafeStreets #PublicTransitMatters #HousingForAll

"...With mixed use medium...Someone can come in and build the building and the top floors are condos or lofts or apartments...and the first floor allows someone to put their donut shop down there because they only need a certain amount of square footage." - Aaron Ragsdale

Let's make a better Birmingham together 👏👏👏#BetterBirmingham
#Urbanism
#CommunityBuilding
#PeopleFirstDesign
#WalkableCities
#SafeStreets
#PublicTransitMatters
#StrongerTogether
#BirminghamAL
#CivicEngagement

Last week’s Better Birmingham meetup with @becsatuab brought out an amazing crowd.
If you want to be part of future events and service opportunities, give us a follow and stay tuned for what is coming next.
#PeopleFirst
#WalkableCities
#CivicEngagement
#UrbanismInAction

Critical goods and services shouldn't be a 20 minute drive away. Walkability should be standard.
#HighlandPark #BetterBirmingham #WalkableNeighborhoods #SupportLocalBirmingham #PeopleFirstUrbanism
#NeighborhoodBusinesses #BirminghamEats #CommunityBuilding #UrbanismInAction #CoffeeAndCommunity

Inclusive design is not a specialty topic. It is a foundation for any city that wants to give its residents real freedom of movement.
#accessibleMobility
#inclusiveDesign
#universalDesign
#peopleFirstCities
#safeStreets
#urbanAccessibility
#completeStreets
#walkableCommunities
#transitEquity

Strong communities start with simple things. A corner grocery. A neighborhood restaurant. A place to wash your clothes without driving across town.

#Urbanism #WalkableCommunities #PeopleFirstDesign #LocalBusinessSupport #CompleteNeighborhoods #SafeStreets #MixedUseDevelopment #CommunityBuilding