BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, a local nonprofit advocating for sustainable mobility and pedestrian safety, will later move its office down the road to one of two retail spaces planned for the new Walnut Street Garage downtown.
The group plans to essentially double its current workspace, according to CAT Executive Director Scott Slingerland, in opening a street-facing, 2,000-square-foot bicycle cooperative at the Center City site.
CAT would move into its new space on the same timeline as the garage’s completion, both set for December 2025. The new site also happens to be a stone’s throw across the Broad-Guetter intersection from Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority’s Bethlehem Transportation Center.
“This move brings together our three mission areas — biking, walking and riding the bus — as an alternative to sitting in traffic or an alternative to sitting on the couch.”Scott Slingerland, executive director for Coalition for Appropriate Transportation
“This move brings together our three mission areas — biking, walking and riding the bus — as an alternative to sitting in traffic or an alternative to sitting on the couch,” Slingerland said Wednesday, at a press event live at the garage site.
“It shouldn’t be surprising these days that people are looking to reconnect with community and with nature and their neighborhoods, on the trails, in downtowns — how modern and classical cities really consider human connection in their design and culture.”
The nonprofit has called Bethlehem home for over three decades — currently operating at 1935 Broad St., about two miles from the downtown site — and hosts an assortment of workshops, rides and other public initiatives.
Fundraising starts now
CAT also kicked off project fundraising efforts to fit out its new facility, with a $50,000 goal in sight and potential grant funding at play. CAT currently has a matching gift in hand of $10,000, Slingerland said.
Slingerland said the group has 272 active volunteers, 250 active members and supporters. Just this year, 1,493 youth have been part of 40 CAT-associated events.
Bethlehem Parking Authority currently is taking public suggestions for CAT’s neighbor at the other retail site.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring something fresh and innovative to our downtown while engaging in a very unique and public approach,” said BPA Executive Director Steven Fernstrom.
Changing the culture
Mayor J. William Reynolds said the city is pursuing a Complete Streets plan and a citywide bike master plan to complement what’s hoped to be a change in the thought process surrounding how to get around town and beyond. A Complete Streets planis a planning methodology that ensures safe access to public roads for pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users and drivers alike.
“You can’t change a culture overnight, but we are doing it step by step."Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
“You can’t change a culture overnight, but we are doing it step by step,” Reynolds said. “You’re doing it mile by mile, and a lot of that is not happening in City Hall; it is happening organically in our community.
“Because I look out and I see so many people that are committed to that idea of sustainability, they are committed to that idea of climate action and they are committed to the idea that we’re going to create neighborhoods in Bethlehem that give people the opportunity to be able to move around in a safe manner.”
Just last week, Bethlehem City Council voted to move forward the agreement of sale to purchase the last leg of the South Bethlehem Greenway, with the future goal of connecting it with the Saucon Rail Trail.
Next year is planned to see a completion of the Monocacy Way Trail, according to city capital improvement initiatives.
Almost $10 million is at the city’s disposal for 1.5 miles of phased upgrades (protected bike lanes, intersection improvements, curb extensions, etc.) planned for First Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue along West Broad Street.
And a little over $1 million will cover a half-mile of similar improvements from Center Street to Elm Street along East Broad corridor.
