Changes Urged at Midtown Intersection After Bicyclist's Death

(Photo: Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Facebook)

ATLANTA, GA -- A memorial to honor a Grady High School freshman was held on Monday, and bicycling supporters used the event to call for improvements to the Midtown intersection where she was killed.

Alexia Hyneman was riding her bike last week into the 10th Street and Monroe Drive intersection, where she was struck by a driver who didn’t see her. The driver had a green light when he struck Hyneman.

“We’re devastated by the news of Grady High School freshman Alexia Hyneman’s death while cycling home from a school performance,” said Rebecca Serna, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. “Grady High School, Piedmont Park, a protected bike lane and the Atlanta BeltLine all meet at 10th Street and Monroe Drive. It’s one of the city’s busiest intersections for people on foot and bike, and everyone who uses it deserves to be safe.”

The organization is calling for improvements to the intersection, including:

• Configure the light signal so it is easily understood by pedestrians and cyclists
• Shorten the wait time for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the street
• Lengthen and automate the pedestrian (and cyclists) phase
• Improve street lighting at 10th Street and Monroe Drive, including the BeltLine intersections
• Accelerate the Monroe Drive Complete Streets project, funded in the Renew Atlanta bond
• Create a bicycle connection on Monroe Drive to make it safe and predictable for all pedestrians and cyclists