KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A group that advocates for improving connectivity in Knoxville hosted a tour of the city Tuesday evening, giving people a chance to walk alongside elected leaders while talking about the importance of walkability.
Bike Walk Knoxville said the "Walk with Elected Officials" would kick off at 6 p.m. Tuesday in front of the University of Tennessee Conference Center at 600 Henley Street. The walk stretched around a mile and the group encouraged participants to wear proper shoes and bring some water. It took participants through the city's Henley Street corridor, organizers said.
During the walk, the group discussed steps the city could take to protect pedestrians such as elevated curbs, slower speeds and expanded bike lanes. Michelle Lawson joined the walk after her son was fatally hit by a speeding car in 2022 while walking across a nearby intersection.
"There's a lot that can be done — better lighting, cameras that watch the speed of people. There aren't enough cameras here. The only one I got with my son is the bubble camera, and that was it," she said.
Alongside its outreach and educational efforts, the group advocates for the Vision Zero Knoxville plan, which envisions a future for the city that totally lacks traffic fatalities. The plan encourages city leaders to prioritize safety when making transportation decisions over other factors.
The Vision Zero plan hopes to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2040. As of Tuesday, it has completed two safety projects — one on Chapman Highway and Sutherland Avenue.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincanonn joined the group during the walk, where she spoke with people from the city asking for more measures to protect pedestrians.
"We also understand that this is not just part of making a safer city or a happier city, but a more sustainable city. When you're walking or biking, you're not emitting carbon into our air. You're not polluting, so we can breathe easier," she said.