Implementing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Program in Nashville

Speakers: Rebecca Brooks, Ed Cole, Bob Murphy, and Adetokunbo “Toks” Omishakin

February’s Urban Design Forum reprises a very successful presentation and discussion session held at the recent 2005 Tennessee Conference of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Transportation Engineering. Join us in discussing how Nashville is moving towards a successful bicycle and pedestrian program. Music City Moves, the Community Health and Wellness Team, Walk/Bike Nashville, and various departments of Metro Nashville government have worked together to implement new facilities, develop programs, and create policies to encourage smart travel choices and more healthy lifestyles. An addition to the group that presented at the conference is Ed Cole, who will provide us with TDOT’s vision for incorporating bicycling into its multimodal future throughout the state, and particularly here in Metro.

Notes on Speakers:

Rebecca Brooks holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and has served as an engineer with RPM Transportation Consultants, LLC since 2001. Ms. Brooks is responsible for all aspects of transportation planning and design and has managed several bicycle and pedestrian projects in Tennessee. In particular, Ms. Brooks was the project manager for Nashville’s Strategic Plan for Sidewalks and Bikeways and has been involved with the plan’s implementation.
 
Ed Cole is Chief of Environment and Planning for TDOT.  He was appointed to that position by Commissioner Gerald Nicely in February, 2003.  Prior to that, Ed served as the first Executive Director of Cumberland Region Tomorrow.  He has over 20 years experience with the State of Tennessee, including the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.    He has a BA from Willamette University, Salem, Oregon; an MA from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and, an MS in Planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  He enjoys bicycling and was recently recognized as a leading fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's bicycle events and participated in the Tour of Champions in California in mid-January.

Bob Murphy is the President, and founder, of RPM Transportation Consultants, LLC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, with a Transportation Engineering Minor. Mr. Murphy is responsible for all aspects of transportation planning and design and has developed bicycle and pedestrian plans for communities throughout Tennessee. Mr. Murphy, who has also been actively involved in the implementation of these plans, is a founding member of the advocacy group Walk/Bike Nashville.

Adetokunbo “Toks” Omishakin is a planner and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the Metropolitan Planning Department of Nashville. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology. Mr. Omishakin is responsible for planning and promoting bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs throughout the Metropolitan area. In addition to these duties, Mr. Omishakin serves as a Greenways Commissioner on the Metro Nashville Greenways Commission and is the project director of the Active Living by Design (Music City Moves!) grant. He also serves as Metro’s liaison to bicycle, pedestrian, and neighborhood advocacy organizations.