Building Momentum

Thank you so much for supporting the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and the work we’re doing to create a bicycle-friendly Atlanta. We’re incredibly proud of the year we had in 2012 – arguably our most successful yet – and we look forward to an even more successful year in 2013! During our year-end appeal, please make a donation to support our work. 

WITH YOUR HELP IN 2012, ABC:

 

Successfully pushed for protected bikeways, including buffered bike lanes coming to Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Helped protect cyclists’ right to ride side-by-side by blocking legislation in the Georgia General Assembly that would have made it illegal. Whew!

Organized two Atlanta Streets Alive events with over 35,000 people biking, walking, playing and eating in the streets and on the BeltLine.

Helped the GDOT board adopt a Complete Streets policy for more bike-friendly projects, with the help of Georgia Bikes.

Helped fund a green bike lane project including a “Copenhagen left,” cycle track, and cyclist push button at 5th Street and West Peachtree .

Partnered on the first Metro Atlanta Bike to Work Challenge - over 1,000 bike commuters registered.

Installed 28 bike racks at local businesses and distributed over 300 bike lights to cyclists in need.

Provided secure valet bike service at fifteen festivals and special events, parking thousands of bikes.

Supported the Cycle Atlanta smartphone app, which tracks bike trips to help city planners better accommodate bicycles.

Doubled our membership!

 

Connecting Bicycle Lanes at 5th and West Peachtree Street

Intersection at West Peachtree Street and 5th Street. 5th Street is a heavily used bicycle route, with bike lanes connecting Midtown to Georgia Tech's campus. Unfortunately the street is diconnected, with a jag on West Peachtree. 

Cyclists heading from Midtown to Georgia Tech have to merge across West Peachtree's fast-moving traffic flow to turn left onto 5th Street. Traveling from Georgia Tech to Midtown, bike riders often jump onto the sidewalk, creating potentially dangerous conflicts between vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. 

So we when came across a Bikes Belong grant opportunity to address needed safety improvements, we decided to apply for a project to better connect the 5th Street bike lanes. 

Matched and then some by Midtown Alliance and Georgia Tech, in partnership with the City of Atlanta, this project designed an innovative solution to make the intersection safer for all users.  

The layout includes what will be Atlanta's first cycle track, a two stage turn movement (more colorfully known as an "Amsterdam left"), and a dedicated bicycle crossing signal. 

Stay tuned for more exciting bicycle improvements in the Midtown Improvement District! 

Governor Deal continues participation in Recreational Trails Program

Good news! Thanks to everyone who contacted the governor and Georgia DOT board members - today Governor Deal announced he will continue state participation in the Recreational Trails Program, a matching grant program funded through the Federal Highway Trust Fund to support the creation and maintenance of trails in Georgia’s local communities.

From the press release: 

“In every region of Georgia, recreational trails attract tourism, enhance recreation opportunities, and improve public health, while also promoting job creation, effective partnerships, and successful service projects,” said Deal.

Since the program was first created in 1991, Georgia’s Recreational Trails Program has funded over 240 projects with over $17 million in grants to local communities to support both motorized and non-motorized trails in Georgia, such as water trails, cycling trails and horse trails. Local communities that apply for the grants are required to provide a match of at least 20 percent of the project costs. Most of the projects’ construction work is done by volunteers and small businesses.

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through non-highway motor fuel taxes and is administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The recently passed MAP-21 transportation bill included a new provision that makes explicit a method whereby a governor can opt out of the program. The current funding cycle begins in October and seeks to award nearly $2 million in trail grants to local communities in Georgia. Interested communities may visit www.gastateparks.org/grants for more information.

Register for the Bike to Work Challenge: October 2012

BTWC12
The Clean Air Campaign, Atlanta Regional Commission, and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition are excited to bring you metro Atlanta’s first-ever Bike to Work Challenge - this October!
 
This fun, friendly competition is open to experienced cyclists and beginners alike. Sign up to compete as an individual or put together a team, and log your bicycle commute trips to earn points. There are great prizes on the line, including bicycle gear and gift cards from REI. 
 
It’s all about trying a greener and healthier way to get around, not to mention getting connected with local resources for cyclists. Some people ride all the way into work, while others ride just to the bus stop or train station. No matter how you do it, bicycle commuting gives you the opportunity to truly enjoy the ride.
  • Compete as an individual or on a team to win prizes
  • Keep track of how many miles you’ve biked
  • Earn bragging rights on the regional leaderboard
  • Take part in confident city cycling classes and other local events
  • Get helpful bicycle commuting tips
  • Learn about local cycling and groups and online communities you can join

Challenge a friend. Challenge yourself. Have fun on the way to work!

Register at www.ATLBikeToWork.com.

 

The Terminus 5C - a bicycle challenge

bikes. 
brains.
beer.

the Terminus 5C - a bicycle challenge.

Presented by The Mobile Social.

5 cycle-friendly bars.
5 physical & mental challenges.
5 hours to make the rounds and win as many points as you can.

Tons of prizes. Lots of swag. Plenty of fun.

Registration Info:
- $10 ABC Member (Gets you in the challenge, bracelet to after party/keg, and 5 chances to win)
- $20 Non-ABC Member (Gets you an ABC Membership, access to the challenge, bracelet to after party/keg, and 5 chances to win)

 

Event Date: 

Saturday, Oct 13th
11am : Registration
12pm : The adventure begins
Meets at Woodruff Park


*PROCEEDS FROM RACE TO GO TO THE ATLANTA BICYCLE COALITION

 

Heels on Wheels, Wecycle, and MACC = cycling for all!

 

This weekend is chock-full of rides, so we wanted to share two options here: 

Heels on Wheels - Lazy Summer Brunch
This month we're meeting at 8:45 AM tomorrow morning at Houndstooth Road on Church St in Decatur to covet some lovely bicycles and accessories (Pashley Princesses, oh my!) and enjoy some light refreshments with the owner, Jae.  From there, we’ll meander through Oakhurst Village, stop at theEast Lake Farmers Market, Kirkwood Urban Forest, and Kirkwood re-Cycle, with a final destination of Sun in my Belly for some well-deserved iced coffee and French toast. Feel free to wear your favorite lazy summer attire: breezy sundresses, linen tops, and flipflops. And don’t forget your sunglasses! See the full 6-7 mile route here: http://bit.ly/QXNcq3 and visit the event to RSVP and invite a friend. Thanks Cameron Adams for the marvelous photo preview! Visit Cameron's photo blog http://atlantabicyclechic.blogspot.com/2012/08/save-date-saturday.html!

 

 

Wecycle Atlanta with Metro Atlanta Cycling Club - DO THE BIKE THING

In the spirit of cycling and all joints Spike Lee, Wecycle Atlanta is setting out to energize the cycling culture of the West-Side starting from the Atlanta University Center - Woodruff Library.

The route is a 11mile tour of the Historic Parks of the West-Side including Mosley Park to Washington Park (on the Lionel Hampton Trail), Cleopatra Park (A Break at Boxcar Grocer), Adair Park, Rose Circle Park, Gordan White Park, and the West End Park. 

 

Please be sure to bring Water, an electrolyte infused beverage (coconut water, gatorade, etc), snacks (bananas, nuts, cliff bar). All of these things can be purchase at the Boxcar Grocery. We will be auctioning of a free One Love Century registration for $5, courtesy of Metro Atlanta Cycling Club. 

PLEASE BRING A HELMET. A limited supply of loaner helmets are available (10). No helmet. NO RIDE.  So let's ride out and let the whole world know that Wecycle Atlanta for Change. 

 

Clips of Faith 2012!

**Volunteer Shift Leaders Training Thursday, September 13th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the ABC Office (213 Mitchell St)**

 

New Belgium's Clips of Faith (as in their Lips of Faith beer line, ha) is right around the corner and we need 50-60 volunteers for it to run smoothly.

We are excited to help host such a great event that promotes sustainability and alternative transportation. (Especially since the proceeds benefit ABC!)

 

 

Please review the role descriptions below:

  • Beer Servers: This is where it gets fast and furious. We need a strong volunteer base here in the form of pourers and servers, and folks that can keep a line moving! Volunteers will be responsible for learning to pour beer well to minimize waste and money. Not all servers need to be TIPS trained. However, some will be and will need to check for wristbands, and scan the crowd for intoxicated guests. Volunteers will not be changing any kegs, but will be responsible for informing NBB staff when that needs to be done.
  • Beer Gypsies:  The Beer gypsies will be given trays that have a shoulder strap (think 40’s cigar girls) around their shoulders and hold approximately a dozen 3 oz samples of beer. They will roam the event with a specific flavor of beer checking for wristbands and taking tokens. Due to the autonomy of this position, ALL beer gypsies will be TIPS trained. The position will be very busy for the first hour and a half, and again during the “beermission” when we stop the film and encourage people to continue sampling.
  • ID Checks Wristbands & Beer Tokens: These folks are responsible for making sure every single person served at the event is of legal drinking age. ID checkers approve the guest’s valid Identification card (Drivers license, State ID, Passport, Military ID, or Green Card), and assuming that ID is valid, current, and the holder is in fact 21 years of age, they give the guest a wristband to mark their ability to drink, and send them to the beer token booth. The volunteers selling tokens and handling main cash flow, as well as distributing passports and giving a quick explanation about the flow of the event. 
  •  Blend-o-Matic Mixologist:  The Blend-o-Matic is the Clips of Faith’s own “make your own beer” station. Guests will “pay” 1 token for a 3oz sample to choose how dark or light they want their beer as well as what flavors to include. There are two mixologists; one is the wizard behind the “curtain” that pours the beers and adds the requested flavors and the other helps out in front of the curtain. There might just be costumes that go with this position (wink).
  • Beer School: That’s right – school is in session! The folks who volunteer in this tent will assist a New Belgium Sensory Expert in serving samples of the beer to school attendees and other patrons that come in while school is not in session. It’s a great place for someone that wants to learn more about a few of New Belgium’s beer and about beer tasting in general.
  • Teardown Crew:  It's as simple as it sounds but with a bit of heavy lifting.  You folks help breakdown and load up the festivities so it can roll off to it's next stop; Charleston, SC.

Click here to sign up to Volunteer!

​ 

PS- We'll be raffling off a 2012 New Belgium Cruiser!   

 

Will Georgia opt out of federal funding for recreational trails?

Governors in states like Kentucky are pledging their support for recreational trails by committing to not turn down federal funding for these popular projects.

Silver Comet TrailIn 2011 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) awarded $2.1 million in Recreational Trails Program grants. Atlantans will recognize the Silver Comet Trail on the list of projects funded.

Today People for Bikes listed Georgia as a state whose Governor may chose to opt out of the program. According to the FHWA, between 1993-2011 Georgia received over $22 million. That built a lot of trails in state parks and communities throughout the state. 

RTP People for BikesWe need your help to prevent this.

Let the Governor know that the residents of his state want, even need, the recreational opportunities these trails provide. Whether you bike, hike, ride a horse, or participate in any one of a dozen activities that take place on paved and unpaved trails across the state, these projects benefit you and your community. 

  • 47% of Americans say they would like to see more bike lanes, trails, and other bike facilities in their communities.
  • Studies have shown that houses near bike paths retain more value than houses that are not.
  • Bike and trail projects put lots of people to work. Bike projects often create more new jobs per million dollars invested than comparable highway projects
  • According to a recent poll, 83 percent of Americans support maintaining or growing the federal funding that pays for sidewalks, bikeways, and bike paths.

Imagine for a moment the impact on Atlanta's bicycle community if the Silver Comet Trail had never been built.

Then take action by clicking "sign the pledge" to protect recreational trails in Atlanta and throughout the state. 

Sunday Service at Church (It's a Bar!) Atlanta Bicycle Edition

We spent Sunday evening spreading the gospel of cycling to a very fun and welcoming crowd!

Thank you for joining us at Church (it's a bar!). We had a blast working with DJ Vicki, Grant Henry, King of Pops, and the crew at Church to spread the gospel of ABC. Our bike valet was in full swing with hearty volunteers (thank you, guys)!  The weather was spectacular, the music was on point, and the spiritual sangria was...well, spriritual.

Throughout the evening we parked over 70 bikes in an area that would have accomodated just 2 cars.

We look forward to more events highlighting the joys of cycling.

Visit the full post for more pictures taken by the very talented Haley Zapal, an intern for LeahAndMark photography.

 

Where do we go from here?

 

On July 31st, metro Atlanta and nine of the state's 12 regions voted down their regional TSPLOST referendums.

The Atlanta Banana examines why in this beautiful pie chart... and on a more serious note, the Atlanta Regional Commisson map below shows clear patterns of support within the city of Atlanta, Fulton, and DeKalb. 

ABC supported the measure for three reasons: 

1. For the first time, a regional project list was more than half transit. Cycling for transportation in a city as sprawled as Atlanta is nigh impossible without good mass transit. 

2. Again for the first time, bicycle facilities were included in roadway projects (a.k.a. Complete Streets) on a regional list.

3. The measure would have built half the Atlanta BeltLine and the city of Atlanta's list would have added 29 miles of city streets with bikeways, more than doubling the city's current miles of bike facilities! 

Sigh.

But today is a new day, and we are looking for new ideas to help our city, region, and state get places, not just get moving. It's time to double down on community-based solutions that help us live, not just travel, better. 

We are looking for permanent solutions that let people opt out of traffic - streetcars, bikeways, sidewalks and safe crossings, infrastructure that complements existing transit investments. The question is, how do we fund them in this political, economic, and built environment? 

We don't have the answers, but the first step lies in asking the right questions.

ABC wants to bring people together for thoughtful discussions that center on identifying the right problems and sparking collaborative solutions. Stay tuned for a transportation solutions salon where the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers come together around foot-first policies and projects. 

To close on a bright note, the state Department of Transportation is working with Georgia Bikes and ABC on a Georgia first - a Complete Streets policy that would affect future roadway projects, however the Governor decides to fund them. We expect the policy to go to the board for a vote in August. 

 
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