Davidson Street Bikeway

The Davidson Street Bikeway already plays an important role in how people move through Nashville. It connects East Nashville and Shelby Bottoms Park to Downtown via the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, giving cyclists and pedestrians a direct route across the river. Over time, it’s become more than a connection. It’s part of people’s daily routines and a go-to path for recreation.

But the community’s use of the corridor also revealed where it could be better. Long stretches of exposed pavement and limited tree cover made the experience less comfortable than it should be, especially during warmer months. Even with its strong connectivity, the space didn’t fully support the people relying on it every day.

This project builds on what already works and reshapes the corridor around how it’s actually used. By removing underutilized pavement in the public right-of-way, the design creates space for a more comfortable, people-centered experience. New planting areas and an expanded tree canopy introduce shade and scale, helping the bikeway feel more inviting and usable throughout the day.

At the same time, the corridor is rethought as part of a larger system. Low-impact design strategies, including bioretention and stormwater treatment, are integrated directly into the landscape. These elements do more than manage runoff; they improve water quality and demonstrate how infrastructure can perform better while also enhancing the space’s experience.

The result is a stronger connection between neighborhoods and downtown, a more comfortable place to move through, and a model for how future bikeways in Nashville can balance mobility, environment, and everyday use.

‍

‍

‍