ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

A plan is in the works to make riding downtown safer for bicyclists. The College Patton Bike Lane Project also aims to make the core of downtown Asheville safer for pedestrians.

The design will affect about a half-mile section of College Street and Patton Avenue.

Improvements will include:

  • Buffered bike lanes on College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard Park and on Patton Avenue between Pritchard Park and Biltmore Avenue
  • High-visibility crosswalks
  • Additional dedicated space for delivery vehicles
The College Patton Bike Lane Project calls for buffered bike lanes on College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard Park and on Patton Avenue between Pritchard Park and Biltmore Avenue.

College Street and Patton Avenue are the main and only east-west streets through downtown and provide key connections to east and West Asheville, according to the city’s website, which was last reviewed or updated on June 18. The new bike lanes will connect to existing bike lanes.

Asheville City Council adopted a resolution in October 2023 reaffirming its commitment to multimodal transportation and confirming support for staff to proceed with the College Patton Bike Lane Project, the city’s website said.

Asheville consistently ranks as one of the top cities in North Carolina for bicycle and pedestrian fatalities, city officials said. They hope building dedicated facilities for bicyclists will help reduce fatalities.

Officials have planned a series of meetings to provide public updates on city projects impacting the Patton Avenue corridor. The meetings will be held virtually at 10 a.m. on July 8, Aug. 12, and Sept. 9.

The College Patton Bike Lane Project calls for buffered bike lanes on College Street between Spruce Street and Pritchard Park and on Patton Avenue between Pritchard Park and Biltmore Avenue.

The following projects will be covered at each meeting:

  • Patton Sidewalk Improvement Project
  • Carter-Ann-Patton Stormwater Project
  • College and Patton Improvements
  • Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Feasibility Study

Those interested in attending these meetings should email jhughes@ashevillenc.gov to register. Once registered, you will receive a calendar invite by email with details on how to join the meeting.

Asheville’s Multimodal Transportation Commission will meet 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. An update on the Patton Avenue Corridor Feasibility Study is on the agenda.