Atlanta, Georgia – January 27, 2010 – The City of Atlanta recorded the highest rate of increase in biking to work between 2000 and 2009—an impressive 386%, surpassing even bicycle standard bearer Portland, OR—according to a report released Monday by the Alliance for Biking & Walking.  

Yet according to American Community Survey data, just 0.8% of Atlanta residents are hopping on their bicycles to get to work. The dearth of infrastructure funding—only 1% of federal transportation tax dollars spent in Atlanta go towards bicycle and pedestrian projects—is largely to blame.  

“A much greater investment is needed in biking and walking to increase active transportation,” says Jeffrey Miller, President/CEO of the Alliance for Biking and Walking. “The Benchmarking Report shows that biking and walking are smart and cost-effective solutions that will pay for themselves many times over in healthcare savings and impact on local economies.”

Atlanta’s preliminary investments in bicycling and walking have already resulted in a more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly city. Read on to see just how, and what more needs to be done. 

With the new year we launch a new season of advocacy for policy change to support more & better biking in Atlanta. Here are ABC's 2012 goals, organized by jurisdiction. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas! 

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC) was awarded a $42,600 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) for the tenth straight year. The goal of this funding is to reduce crashes and enhance safety. 

This year ABC will undertake a new initiative – a peer-to-peer education program in which older teens are trained on bicycle safety and basic maintenance, in order to empower them to carry the message to younger children.