In May, Dangerous by Design 2014, a new report by Smart Growth America, ranked metro Atlanta as the 8th most dangerous large metro area in the country for pedestrians.

A few weeks later, Foot Traffic Ahead, a report by the same organization, ranked the region as the country's 8th most walkable.  What's going on?

Metro Atlanta developers are investing heavily in walkable urban places. Buckhead, Decatur, Midtown and Poncey-Highland are just a few examples. The more walkable a place becomes, the more its economy will thrive.

Elsewhere, more and more transit-dependent pedestrians are walking on roads that were designed for cars only.

As pedestrian advocates, we focus on both the good and the bad. With help from you and others, we work to make good places great. We also encourage transportation professionals to install safety improvements that make other areas less deadly to people on foot.

The presentations were well-received, with council members asking thoughtful questions and requesting more information. Like PEDS, many City Council members recognize it's time to move on from a policy that does not work.

Thanks again to all of you who contacted Atlanta City Council members or spoke up at NPU meetings to oppose the ordinance that would have increased sidewalk repair fees by 164 percent. Public opposition, reinforced by the presentations to the Utilities Committee, make it very unlikely council members will approve the proposed fee increases. Your voice makes a difference.