Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)

The Nashville BPAC is an advisory committee for the Metropolitan Government established by Mayor Karl Dean to promote and encourage safe bicycling and walking to further Nashville’s goal of becoming a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly city. One of the BPAC’s main focuses will be on Nashville’s interest to increase the safe usage of bicycle and pedestrian facilities as a significant and beneficial mode of transportation and recreation.
In addition to Transportation and Recreational benefits, there are four major benefits of creating a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly Nashville.

Economic

• Attracts business to Nashville-vibrant communities
• Increases property values
• Provides improved transportation access – MTA, RTA, sidewalks and greenways
• More walking/biking foot traffic for businesses
• “Eyes on the street” - safety increases: commercial, office, and neighborhood areas
• Reduces health care costs
• Decreases future capital expense – with complete transportation options

Health

• Improves air quality – asthma, lung disease
• Reduces obesity, overweight population (Nashville 56%)
• Reduces cardiovascular diseases and diabetes
• Fewer ER patients and associated costs
• Lowers general health care costs

Environmental

• Improves air quality (CO2 reduction, CMAQ funding)
• Reduces carbon footprint – fossil fuel, heat electricity
• Reuse of existing infrastructure – infill development
• Less greenfield development – growing smart

Quality of life

• Neighborhood access to parks, greenways, sidewalks
• More Livable communities
• Eyes on street – decreases safety concerns
• Varied access to community services
• Improves vitality rate, decrease health concerns