The Starkville and Mississippi State communities are currently not friendly environments for cyclists or pedestrians. A few areas throughout the city and campus are exceptions. However, in general, walking and biking are dangerous activities here.
Of course, cyclists and pedestrians have never been taken into consideration in the haphazard growth of city and campus. Businesses and legislators, who usually drive most places, do not cyclists and pedestrians. After all, this is the South, and most people drive anyway.
There is hope in the master plan. Until recently there was no comprehensive master plan for the campus or the city that adequately addressed the need for a connected system of sidewalks and bike paths. Most of the existing sidewalks and bike paths in the area were constructed separately.
However, positive changes are on the way for Starkville and Mississippi State with the Master Plan.
So why should a connected system of pedestrian and bicycle paths become a priority to our community? First, studies have shown sidewalks and bike path systems can increase property values and promote the general health of a community.
A study conducted by “American Lives” in 1994 ranked walking and biking paths third among 39 crucial factors identified by homebuyers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that obesity is the second leading health risk factor (behind tobacco use) contributing to 300,000 deaths in the United States every year. In 2001, the center released a report in which Mississippi was found to be the national leader in obesity. A new category had to be created for our state.
According to the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, daily exercise greatly reduces the risk of obesity and heart disease. The American Heart Association says physical activity reduces cholesterol levels, counters weigh gain, reduces the risk of heart disease and can also promote a healthier self image and reduce levels of anxiety and depression.
A successful system of sidewalks and bike paths would reduce the need and desire to drive. Less cars on city streets reduces road noise, air pollution and could also improve safety.
Since many young children walk to school, local educators are concerned that students are needlessly being put into jeopardy because Starkville lacks safe pathways.
How can these changes be made? Policy makers have to know that sidewalks and bike paths are a priority to citizens. By contacting local and state elected officials changes can be made.
There is already a growing movement in our community spearheaded by an advocacy group called “Starkville in Motion” (http://polliwogspub.com/sim). This group meets on a monthly basis and it is open to anyone who is interested in seeing the community’s system of sidewalks and bike paths improved. This group only recently formed, but has already generated a lot of public interest.
It would seem that real changes are on the way, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. For our community’s system of pathways to improve, more people need to get involved.
The next monthly meeting for “Starkville in Motion” is scheduled for April 11, and will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Building B auditorium of Bost Extension Center.
Many of the ideas that this group is founded on can be traced back to a feasibility study conducted in 2003 by the Carl Small Town Center titled “Bike Starkville” (http://bikestarkville.coa.msstate.edu/). This study researched the need for these pathway connections and suggested ways to improve the current system.
The suggestions included hiring a city planner, the formation of a community organization focused on advocating bicycling and walking and the use of a Web sites to voice opinions and make city planners aware of citizen priorities. All three of these suggestions have become reality.
It is now up to the students of Mississippi State and the citizens of Starkville to get involved and take advantage of these opportunities in order to improve our community and the general quality of life.
James Everett is a senior landscape architecture major. He can be reached at [email protected].