published 2021 Council President Candidate Questionnaire Responses in Read: Candidate Responses 2021-11-09 15:45:21 -0500

All candidates who qualified to have their name on the City of Atlanta City Council President 2021 Runoff, November 30, ballot are shown below.

Individual candidate responses are listed alphabetically by first name.

Updated: 11/8/2021

Question 1: What is the main way you get around Atlanta on a daily basis?

Candidate	Response
Doug Shipman	Carpool
Natalyn Archibong	Drive alone

Question 2: Please share your vision for transportation and mobility in the city of Atlanta. How would you support transportation options for the 16% of Atlantans who don’t have access to a car, have a disability, and/or prefer to get around by sustainable, healthy modes of transportation such as transit, walking, biking, etc?

Candidate	Response
Doug Shipman	Following Covid- the use of bikes and walking paths has increased significantly despite little new investment from the City of Atlanta. As transit options shutdown during Covid the value and fragility of our network were exposed. I envision an Atlanta that has a clear set of project needs and priorities, with clear funding sources and a prioritization on design and physical initiatives that will improve safety, accessibility and the overall attractiveness of Atlanta for exploration via bike, foot and transit. We need a specific emphasis on investments in historically neglected neighborhoods where infrastructure needs have lagged and neighborhood reliance on non-car transit needs are higher. Specifically I would promote and support additional parking spaces being used for dining or other outdoor business activities, new and expanded crosswalks, additional bus shelters, taking of car lanes for additional bike and pedestrian lanes, and would prioritize design and execution of transit on the Beltline as a vital transit and affordability solution for Atlanta.
Natalyn Archibong	My vision for transportation and mobility in Atlanta starts with walkability. I consider having safe and well-maintained sidewalks the responsibility of the city – not the abutting property owner. We must prioritize the repair, maintenance and installation of new sidewalks – especially to connect people to parks, schools and employment centers. My vision also includes fully funding our complete projects such as the one for Dekalb Avenue. We must include bicycle infrastructure in all of our traffic plans to make our roads safer for cyclist. I also look forward to our police being able to enforce the 25 mph vision zero initiative. For the Atlantans who rely upon or chose to use public transit or who use MARTA Mobility or similar transit options, we must advocate for MARTA to be accessible, operate efficiently and be affordable. I strongly support the restoration of the MARTA routes that were discontinued pre-covid, and to ensuring connectivity between MARTA, the Beltline and the Streetcar. We need to increase locations for our city bicycle program and add more electric bicycle options at every location.

Question 3: The Atlanta Department of Transportation estimates the City has a sidewalk funding gap of close to $1 billion dollars. How would you fund sidewalks and other urgent transportation needs in the city?

Candidate	Response
Doug Shipman	First and foremost, we need a comprehensive review and inventory of our sidewalk needs with a special focus on where accessibility is a high priority for kids, access to key destinations or impacted by climate change. We also need to continue to address the issue of responsibility for sidewalk repair between residents and the city. Various cities across the country have innovative cost-sharing and public/private funding mechanisms- these should be explored by Atlanta. Once we have a comprehensive inventory- we should develop a maintenance plan for areas that are not damaged beyond repair. We should also develop a prioritized list and timeline of repair for the entire sidewalk network including expansion where sidewalks are not in place. It will take a combination of funding sources to fulfill our needs. A key component to successfully adoption funding mechanisms is a focus on ensuring existing TSPLOST and MORE MARTA funds are spent quickly and effectively. Frustration with delayed plans will lower the likelihood of community support for new funding sources. I believe we need greater general fund funding, an extension of the TSPLOST and potentially a dedicated bond issuance to support specifically sidewalk funding.
Natalyn Archibong	Atlanta voters made it clear that new dollars are needed to fund transportation and infrastructure improvements through the passage of the 2016 T-SPLOST referenda. To create funds to meet our current sidewalk funding gap, we will need another T-SPLOST. However, to convince the voters that a renewed T-SPLOST should be approved, we need to complete all the projects identified in the previously approved referendum. We must ensure that the new T-SPLOST will include a public-facing, online dashboard to show voters how their funds are being spent and the benchmarks of the projects they are being funded. The City’s T-SPLOST dashboard must be coordinated with similar dashboards maintained by MARTA and the Beltline.

Question 4: The number of people killed while walking in Georgia increased 22% from 2015 to 2019. Half of those killed were Black, a fatality rate more than twice that of white Georgians. In the city of Atlanta, out of the 16 pedestrians killed so far this year, 15 were Black and 13 were men. This mirrors the national trend of pedestrian fatalities increasing fastest among Black men. What will you do to make streets measurably safer for people biking, walking, and using scooters or wheelchairs? What will you do to address the disparities in whose lives are endangered the most by unsafe streets?

Candidate	Response
Doug Shipman	Unsafe streets are a combination of poor design, fast moving vehicles and a lack of alternatives for pedestrians. We should undertake several measures: - Identify areas where crosswalks are unsafe and/or unavailable and work to improve and expand their use including working with the State of Georgia. - Increase accessibility maintenance of signage, lighting, ramps and signals. We should make sure our basic infrastructure is in good working order. - Increase use of design elements (medians, road painting, stop signs, traffic calming efforts). We have seen adoption of these succeed in Atlanta and we should continue to work with communities and neighborhoods to increase their usage. - Continue to expand 25mph speed limits across the city with special focus on pedestrian heavy areas and consider camera enforcement for violations. We should also continue to gather data on the causes of fatalities to ensure a long term decline/elimination of these deaths. The ongoing data will allow us to address the fundamental causes of fatalities and address them to reach zero.
Natalyn Archibong	First, we must take an inventory of the streets in Atlanta where pedestrian fatalities have occurred. Too often the city will determine a street condition unsafe only after there have been a certain percentage of incidents. We need a zero tolerance policy for pedestrian fatalities. We must allocate funds to install sidewalks in high traffic areas – especially in neighborhoods were there are known health, income and other disparities. As Council President, I will aggressively advocate for the allocation of infrastructure funds in a manner that is equitable, transparent, and prioritizes the needs of our most vulnerable communities. To make streets safer for non-car modes of travel, we must enforce vision zero lower speed limits, increase crosswalks at critical intersections, especially near transit stops, in commercial areas and work centers, and near schools, parks and transit stations, and install protected bicycle infrastructure on major corridors and well-traveled bicycle routes.

Question 5: In 2019, the City of Atlanta announced plans to "more than triple its on-street protected bike network" saying, "by the end of 2021, Atlantans will see more than 20 miles of safer streets.” Many of those projects are not on track to be complete by the end of the year, and while the pandemic challenged project implementation everywhere, building bike lanes and Complete Streets in Atlanta has always been slow. If elected, would you seek to speed up the completion of transportation projects intended to provide safe travel options for people who walk, bike, or have a disability?

Candidate	Response
Doug Shipman	Yes, increasing dedicated lanes and areas for biking and pedestrian activities has been a lost opportunity during Covid and although more difficult as the economy reopens it must remain a top priority for the city. There are several actions I would advocate to speed up the implementation • For existing projects—a focus on speeding up the approval and permitting processes • For projects under consideration- a focus on efficiently moving these projects through the design process with clear timetable oversight from City Council. • Presenting project lists to potential philanthropic sources for additional funding to support rapid completion • Working closely with Federal officials on ensuring key Complete Street projects are included or potentially funded by any federal infrastructure legislation • Work closely with MARTA to maintain and expand accessibility projects related to MARTA
Natalyn Archibong	Absolutely. A promise made, must be a promise kept. I am proud to have supported the establishment of the first-ever Atlanta Department of Transportation. AtlDOT is staffed, funded and operational. Now, it is time for that department to fulfill its promise to our citizens, starting with the complete streets.

Question 6: Communities across the country have found stark racial disparities in enforcement of “jaywalking” and similar laws. In many parts of Atlanta, the nearest crosswalk is over a half-mile away. How would you address the over-policing of walking, biking, and riding transit, including crossing a street outside of a crosswalk?

Candidate	Response
Doug Shipman	First and foremost we have to make sure we have sufficient, well-marked crosswalks and signage and lighting/signaling to match as appropriate. We should then look at key pedestrian areas and increase and improve crosswalk and pedestrian access in those areas as a high priority. I also believe lowering over-policing policies including lowering penalties and working with police departments to more narrowly enforce violations will ultimately increase safety and improve community relationships between police and community members. We should also decrease residential street speed limits in high pedestrian areas and key crosswalk areas and use other traffic calming mechanisms (eg- design elements similar to Irwin/Lake St crossing at the Eastside Trail of the Beltline)
Natalyn Archibong	in reinforcing the need to obey traffic laws through the giving of a verbal warning. Our laws are designed to protect health and safety – they are not to be used as an instrument of racial discrimination. While it would be tempting to eliminate jaywalking and similar laws, I am concerned that such an action would make our streets more unsafe. The problem may not in the law, but in how it is being enforced. We need to train our officers to recognize and to avoid select enforcement based upon race. Over-policing is unacceptable. As the next Atlanta City Council President, I will ask the Public Safety Committee members to monitor this situation through its quarterly reports with APD, and to require APD to place its Standard Operating Procedures online so that the public will know the standards for good policing and to report instances where over policing is occurring. The quarterly reports must include crime data by race, so that trends involving potential racial profiling will be more easily discernable and known to the public. When such trends are revealed, immediate corrective action – including the adoption of necessary legislation, must be taken and shared with the public.

Question 7: The More MARTA tax allocates $2.5 B to expand MARTA in the City of Atlanta over the next 40 years. What do you think the relationship between MARTA and the City of Atlanta should be in implementing this program? What considerations should MARTA be expected to provide for on-street facilities for people getting to and from transit?

Candidate	Response
Doug Shipman	Within the City of Atlanta MARTA should follow the priorities set by City official and city community members—MARTA should be a service provider to the city. Marta should also be expected to provide more and better shelters, ramps, signage and accessibility elements (eg station elevators) for riders. These elements will help increase the rider experience and provide a better overall customer experience. These are investments needed for Atlanta’s needs given high expectations by our residents and visitors alike. The project list as it stands is too short and the timelines way too long. There are ways to accelerate, especially via public/private partnerships. Acceleration also saves money since delays mean that construction cost escalation cuts into the available funding. The current plan needs updating and the City needs to assert itself in ensuring that these funds meet the City’s goals and the promises made to voters.
Natalyn Archibong	MARTA must view the city of Atlanta as one of its main partners. That partnership involves the establishment a public facing dashboard to track revenue and expenses. Future transit priorities must be vetted through robust community engagement process and approvals of future MARTA projects must obtained from the City by way of a resolution establishing such priorities. The members of the MARTA board should be required to appear before the City’s Transportation Committee to discuss current and future projects, at least semi-annually. I favor the establishment of a City policy that establishes a set number of MARTA Board members must rely upon public transportation for their transit needs.

published 2021 Atlanta City Council At Large Candidate Questionnaire Responses in Read: Candidate Responses 2021-11-05 11:01:57 -0400

City Council At-Large Candidate Questionnaire Responses

Browse at-large candidate responses by clicking below

Updated: November 5, 2021

All candidates who qualified to have their name on the City of Atlanta Post 3 At-Large City Council 2021 Runoff, November 30, ballot are shown below.

Post 3 At-Large

Watch Post 3 At-Large TransFormation Tuesday Candidate Forums

Individual candidate responses are listed by post below, alphabetically by first name. All Atlanta voters will have the opportunity to vote on each at-large post.

Post 3

Question 1: What is the main way you get around Atlanta on a daily basis?

Candidate	Response
Jacki Labat	Drive alone
Keisha Sean Waites	I Drive, use Uber, Walk, and use Marta for Airport travel

Candidate	Response
Jacki Labat	My vision for transportation and mobility in the city of Atlanta is for Atlantans to become less reliant on their automobiles for every day use and for all of us to begin to take advantage of quality and innovative alternative transportation options. I would support enhancing the city's transit system, walking and biking trails and sidewalks to ensure safe, well-lit and clean environments are available to all.
Keisha Sean Waites	My grandmother did not drive and used public transportation. Growing up in Atlanta, during the summer months I spent with my grandmother, I had the privilege of riding the Marta rail during its grand opening. Therefore, I am sensitive to the 16% of Atlantans that do not drive. COVID changed the way people live, work and play. For this reason, I support investing in putting transit on the Atlanta Beltline, expanding MARTA’s rail and bus network, and ensuring Atlanta is a safe city for pedestrians and cyclists. I also support relaunching the City bike share program to provide affordable first- and last-mile access to transit, especially in communities with low rates of car ownership. Additionally, we must provide pedestrian and bicycle amenities that make people want to walk and ride within city limits. This includes parks and greenspace, public transportation, city beautification projects, culture and the arts, and revising zoning and other policies to create mixed use spaces that people want to be in and around. I believe Councilman Amir Farokhi's zoning legislation is a step in the right direction: Updates the zoning code to allow for more flexibility in what kinds of housing gets built, to allow more people to live near transit and to fix exclusionary zoning policies. Councilman Farokhi's bill has the potential to increase Marta ridership and create more affordable housing near Marta transit stations. During my tenure in the General Assembly, I served on the transportation committee responsible for vetting legislation addressing transit. As a result, I authored and sponsored HR 948 legislation that would create an an authority to run light rail locally and high speed rail regionally.

Candidate	Response
Jacki Labat	Wow, $1 billion is a BHAG to overcome. I will support a new TSPLOST and I am willing to undergo a budget review to ensure the maximum and appropriate amount of the city's general fund is allocated to these projects. Should the PAT3 program be revived within the city, infrastructure jobs could be filled by the program participants as the employment opportunities are made more widely available beyond the Department of Watershed Management.
Keisha Sean Waites	The Georgia General Assembly passed HB 170 the Transportation Funding Act of 2015 to fund sorely needed transit infrastructure projects statewide. HB 170 generates $1 billion annually. Each city statewide receives a share of these funds. The City of Atlanta must re-prioritize how we use our state funding. Secondly, ask voters to approve a new TSPLOST that earmarks and dedicates resources to fund sidewalks, bicycle lanes and camera expansion while prioritizing safety and equity.

Candidate	Response
Jacki Labat	As a native Atlantan, I can confirm that we are too attached to our cars and tend to drive even when we have the opportunity to use public transit, walk or bike. Having not been in the shoes of those who are biking, walking and using scooters or wheelchairs, drivers can become desensitized, aggressive and flat out rude. I would support the expansion of the city's (APD's) street camera system. There need to be serious consequences for drivers who break the law and make the streets less safe for pedestrians.
Keisha Sean Waites	In comparison with other metropolitan cities of our size and population, Atlanta unfortunately is not the most pedestrian or cycle friendly city. The scooter debacle highlighted this issue. Recently, woman was murdered in Piedmont Park while walking her dog. If pedestrians and cyclist do not feel safe, it will be difficult to encourage more people and families to walk and cycle. For this reason, I support increasing bicycle lanes and amenities that encourage families to walk and ride. Finally, given our current officer shortage and public safety challenges expanding our camera network will bring dual benefits of providing law enforcement with additional tools to apprehend those that violate the law.

Candidate	Response
Jacki Labat	Yes, and I believe that the city and city council need to work together to develop a post-pandemic plan to prioritize all of the projects that have stalled during Covid and formulate a realistic plan and timeline to tackle each one.
Keisha Sean Waites	YES

Candidate	Response
Jacki Labat	If additional crosswalks need to be added in areas that are heavily traversed by pedestrians, I would be in full support of creating those crosswalks. It would be unfortunate and a questionable use of resources in my opinion for APD or any law enforcement agencies to "over police" crosswalks when staffing levels are so low and violent crime is so high. Jaywalking and darting out in moving traffic can be two very different things. I will support any actions and measures that are pragmatic and improve the quality of life for all.
Keisha Sean Waites	Having served on both the Juvenile Justice and Public Safety committees during my tenure in the General Assembly, I quickly realized the Policing and Alternatives & Diversion Initiative (PAD) is an essential tool to addressing the underlying factors that impact crime and violence. Arresting and jailing people who are causing disturbances or harm as a result of substance use, mental health challenges, or survival activities doesn’t serve our communities. Instead, it pushes people even further to the margins, away from the connections and resources that support recovery and wellness. The cycle of arrest and incarceration does not address the actual issues people are struggling with. In the meantime, our communities continue to suffer from a lack of housing options and access to income, mental health services, medical care, and substance use recovery services. There is widespread agreement: we need a different approach if we want safer and healthier communities for all. PAD fosters a new approach to community safety and wellness by engaging in creative problem-solving to respond to community concerns, and addressing people’s human needs with dignity, patience and care.

Candidate	Response
Jacki Labat	MARTA and the City of Atlanta should continue to work together on the final project list. MARTA should work to provide accessible parking, station-area development that allows people to live, work, shop or go to school within walking distance of the station and to promote greater transit ridership.
Keisha Sean Waites	MARTA program is too important to the future of Atlanta to chance letting it get bogged down in inefficiency, poor prioritizing or non-transparent decision-making. I think that Atlanta’s various transportation focused advocacy groups could better coordinate with each other, with city planners, and with More MARTA to make sure their concerns are being heard and addressed. I believe that candidates for city appointments should have strong vision for what the city needs to look like 30 years down the road, and expertise in city transportation and growth management so that transportation improvements are focused on where they should be focused for the overall health of all communities within the city, and not simply where the loudest voices or flashiest development projects are today. They must also be held to strict ethical standards.

published Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Internships in Jobs and Internships 2021-11-03 15:32:07 -0400

Internship Opportunity

Communications Intern

Job Title	Communications Intern
Hours/Compensation	10 - 15 hours/week, $15/hour; Eligible for college credit.
Semester	Spring 2022; January 10 - May 13
Supervisor	Operations Manager

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition seeks a communications intern who is interested in applying their knowledge to help rebrand the organization under a new name that reflects our updated strategic plan. This internship is paid at $15/hour and offers a flexible, remote work schedule.

Overview

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition envisions an Atlanta where everyone moves safely, easily, and sustainably throughout the city. Our mission is to reclaim Atlanta’s streets as safe, inclusive, and thriving spaces for people to ride, walk, and roll. Our advocacy and programs focus on creating a safe, equitable, and sustainable mobility experience in Atlanta for people who walk, use wheelchairs, take transit, bike, skate, ride scooters, etc. We support people who currently utilize such modes and strive to inspire more people to adopt sustainable mobility into their transportation routines. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition aims to foster an environment that recognizes, respects, and values different backgrounds and talents and actively works toward racial equity and social justice.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s communications team involves our staff members and a board committee dedicated to marketing and communications. The communications team helps the organization fulfil the following strategic goals:

Make streets measurably safer for people biking, walking, and using scooters or wheelchairs.
Make transit work better for people.
Inspire more people to choose to use sustainable transportation instead of single-occupant cars.
Ensure we have accountable and engaged political leaders.
Grow inclusively and sustainably.

The Spring 2022 Communications Intern will accomplish the following in support of fulfilling our strategic goals:

Collaborate with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s staff, board, contracted branding agency, and pro bono public relations agency to operationalize the organization’s rebranding process:
- Transition all web and social media content to new web domain and social media handles.
- Update new brand identity (name, logo, fonts, colors) across all public facing platforms.
- Assist in developing rebranding communications and public relations strategy, in consultation with staff, board, contracted branding agency, and pro bono public relations firm.
Complete other communications-related duties as assigned including editing and drafting content and graphics for newsletters, emails, blog posts, webpages, and social media posts.

Intern Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

Has created and managed social media and web content and platforms
Is active in neighborhood, community, or campus organization
Is proficient in graphic design platforms such as Canva and/or Adobe Suite

KNOWLEDGE

Is familiar with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s strategic plan and guiding principles
Knows principles of graphic design, branding, and strategic communication

STRENGTHS

Is highly organized and detail-oriented
Is resourceful
Is an effective communicator
Is collaborative and team-oriented
Is interested in entering nonprofit or sustainable transportation field
Is passionate about advocacy, equity, and sustainable transportation

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits

The intern will work for 10 - 15 hours/week, compensated at $15/hour.

This internship is eligible for college credit, and we can be flexible to fit your degree program’s internship requirements (required number of hours, evaluation and reporting, etc.) and/or career goals. Applicants are not required to be enrolled in a degree program in order to apply.

Our team of six enjoys forging change in the culture and infrastructure of the city we love, and we are looking for a community-minded Atlantan who is on board with our vision, mission, and values to join our team.

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is currently a remote workplace. While we are conducting our work virtually, the intern will receive consistent and dedicated supervisory attention to advance knowledge, skills, and expertise in communications and in working for a nonprofit in the transportation advocacy field. This internship will provide an opportunity to learn from our staff and board, network with branding and public relations partners, and make a significant impact on the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s work. Our diverse staff share a passion for our mission, support and celebrate one another’s successes, love a good laugh, and are committed to inclusion and equity.

To Apply

Send resume, cover letter, and a work sample* to [email protected] with the subject line, “Communications Internship Spring 2022.”

*Work samples may include communication/graphic design portfolios, social media accounts candidates have managed, links to websites/webpages candidates have worked on, or links to writing samples.

Interviews will be conducted virtually and on a rolling basis. Eligible candidates will be contacted if selected for an interview. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until Monday, December 13.

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition aims to foster an environment that recognizes, respects, and values different backgrounds and talents. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition does not discriminate in its staff, board, volunteers, volunteer committees, or recipients of services, and will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected category. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Propel ATL published Atlanta Bicycle Coalition extends condolences for family and friends of 11-year-old boy killed while trick-or-treating on Halloween in Blog 2021-11-01 14:05:40 -0400

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition extends condolences for family and friends of 11-year-old boy killed while trick-or-treating on Halloween

Atlanta woke up to tragic news today.

Devonne "DJ" Malique David, an 11-year-old boy, was hit and killed while trick-or-treating in SE Atlanta.

We’re incredibly saddened for the family, friends, and community of this child, the latest victim of traffic violence in Atlanta. If you'd like to support the family during this impossible time, there's a GoFundMe to cover the funeral expenses and provide assistance.
Read more
Propel ATL published Decriminalize walking and biking in Blog 2021-10-30 12:57:56 -0400

Atlanta “jaywalking” citations show stark racial disparities; no measurable impact on pedestrian safety

By May of 2021, the number of people killed by drivers while walking or using wheelchairs in the City of Atlanta had already surpassed that for all of 2020, according to data provided by the Atlanta Police Department.

Of the 17 pedestrian fatalities, 15 people were Black and 13 were men — nationally, trends show pedestrian fatalities are rising fastest among Black men. Those killed ranged in age from 17 to 70 years old. And, each person was found “at fault” in their own death. That caught our attention.

Documented dangerous street conditions in Atlanta and across the U.S. keep killing people, especially in Black and immigrant communities where high-speed, high-injury streets are concentrated. Additionally, the people tasked with enforcing Georgia’s crosswalk laws often don’t understand them. Most of the people killed were cited for crossing outside of a crosswalk, even when they were crossing at an unmarked, but legal crosswalk (see explanation of Georgia pedestrian laws).

We have to make it safe enough to walk or use a wheelchair in Atlanta! That’s why in 2022 we will need your help to advocate for funding sidewalks and safe crossings at both the city and state levels. Better infrastructure is the proven key to supporting and protecting people who walk, use wheelchairs, bike, scoot, and use transit.

Photo by Ono Kosuki via Pexels.com
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Propel ATL published U.S. National Science Foundation Civic Innovation Challenge Stage 2 Grant Awarded to Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Georgia Tech, and MARTA in Blog 2021-10-27 13:46:13 -0400

U.S. National Science Foundation Civic Innovation Challenge Stage 2 Grant Awarded to Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Georgia Tech, and MARTA

The U.S. National Science Foundation has awarded the Georgia Tech Research Corporation a $1 million Stage 2 Civic Innovation Challenge grant to pilot an On-Demand Multimodal Transit System Solution (ODMTS) in Atlanta. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and MARTA are joining Georgia Tech as sub-grantees and partners on this exciting initiative. The ODMTS system aims to bring equitable and affordable transportation to all Atlanta residents, especially to those residing in underserved communities. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is excited to partner directly with the research team in ensuring the effective implementation of this new transit solution.
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Propel ATL published Update: Atlanta Streets Alive in Blog 2021-10-27 11:14:08 -0400

Update: Atlanta Streets Alive legislation held pending stakeholder input

Since legislation to launch a new era of Atlanta Streets Alive was introduced two weeks ago, it’s been the talk of the town. With your support, we delivered over 2,000 emails to City Council members urging them to turn a car-free Peachtree Street every Sunday (an 11-year vision) into a reality. Based on the response, many Atlantans are willing and ready to create a whole new healthy, sustainable, and vibrant city street experience.

However, we need to allow time for everyone who would be affected by this major transition to work together to make it happen in a way that benefits everyone. Therefore, the legislation will be held in committee to allow time for stakeholder outreach and collaboration.
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Propel ATL published TSPLOST 2022 in Blog 2021-09-28 15:22:29 -0400

Next TSPLOST should focus on sidewalks, safe streets

One of our 2021 policy recommendations is to adopt a new TSPLOST with a focus on sidewalks. This week the Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee will consider authorizing legislation.
Read more
Propel ATL published Finally, DeKalb Ave Phase 1: reviewing the design and looking ahead in Blog 2021-09-17 14:29:12 -0400

Finally, DeKalb Ave Phase 1: reviewing the design and looking ahead

Wave goodbye to the reversible lane and pothole-riddled pavement that represent DeKalb Ave today, because the street is finally getting some love. Along with new pavement comes a redesign.

Photo: current conditions on DeKalb Ave, pre-redesign and construction.

While the newly designed street won’t include everything that residents, neighborhood organizations, active transportation commuters, or elected officials wanted, it should enhance the safety and well-being of people living on DeKalb Ave as well as those who use it to commute or visit its small businesses.
Read more
Propel ATL published #RespectCascade: Call on the Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee to urge agencies to address safety issues on Cascade Avenue in Blog 2021-09-14 16:10:16 -0400

#RespectCascade: Call the Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee TODAY to urge agencies to address safety issues on Cascade Avenue

We all know the intersection at Cascade Avenue and Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard is dangerous. It's been that way for decades. On Wednesday, August 25, a woman lost her life there:

Woman killed after car goes off overpass, onto Atlanta BeltLine below via WSBTV.com:

"The witness said the woman had just left the parking lot of a shopping center nearby when the driver went through the fence along Ralph David Abernathy and fell on the Atlanta BeltLine below."

Steve Gehlbach of WSB via Twitter:

"Witness thinks she may have been trying to avoid getting hit by another car as left Kroger parking lot next door."

This is one more in a long list of crashes on this corridor that have hurt or killed people making ordinary, everyday trips to the grocery store, school, and work. We didn’t need another example of why it's so critical for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT), and the Atlanta BeltLine to collaborate with residents to fix this intersection and the adjacent streets.
Read more
Propel ATL published Bike Family in Programs 2021-09-01 17:02:46 -0400

Bike Family

Bike Family is a program of the Atlanta Bicycle Coaltion’s Shifting Gears initiative. We developed this program in 2018 to get more students, their caregivers, and school staff to experience the joy of bicycling, and to support schools to adopt practices and enact policies that result in more Atlantans choosing sustainable transportation.

Bike Family equips people of all ages to bike safely and easily to the places they need to go. Each participating family member receives a bicycle and bike safety supplies, and completes a series of bike safety classes. At the end of the program, participants will practice their skills at a celebration bike event in the community.

Who Can Participate?

Learn More

How Do We Enroll?

Spring 2022 Enrollment

Important Dates

Bike Family Dates

Bike Family Partners

Thank you, Partners!

Who can participate?

Bike Family works with communities near Atlanta's High-Injury Network. The High-Injury Network includes streets where most of Atlanta's serious traffic injuries and fatalities occur. In Spring 2022, we are partnering with Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA and The Villages at Carver Family YMCA for our third Bike Family cohort!

*Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is officially recognized as an Atlanta Public Schools partner.

Past Bike Family Cohorts

Fall 2020: Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy

Spring 2021: Finch Elementary School

How do we enroll?

Enrollment for the Spring 2022 cohort is open to school-aged kids and their families or mentors who are involved with YMCA Atlanta. Participants who enroll by March 18 and complete the two classes will receive a bicycle and bike safety supplies from a local bike shop. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Online enrollment is now closed for the Young YMCA Cohort and the Carver YMCA Cohort:

Class Structure

Class #1: 1.5 hours, Saturday April 2

Class #2: 1.5 hours, Saturday April 16

Bike Family community instructional ride* Saturday, April 30 on YMCA Healthy Kids Day

* We will insist on following regularly updated CDC guidelines and those recommended by A/C Clutch Bicycle Shop during all in-person rides and events.

Partners

Free classes, bicycles, equipment are provided with support from the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority and the Mary Alice and Bennett Brown Foundation.

Thank you to our partners, YMCA Atlanta, A/C Clutch Bicycle Shop, Monday Night Garage, and our instructors, Anthony Allen, Kysha Hehn, Shakeesha Jeffries, and James Tyler.
Propel ATL published TransFormation Alliance to host Atlanta political candidate forum focused on equity in Blog 2021-08-18 12:31:30 -0400

TransFormation Alliance to host Atlanta political candidate forum focused on equity

The live-streamed candidate forums will give Atlantans a chance to hear candidates’ priorities for policies that center community voices to address racial equity across a wide range of issues.

ATLANTA (August 18, 2021) - Atlanta residents will have the opportunity to ask local government candidates the hard questions about their plans to address racial equity through the interconnected issues of climate, jobs, health, housing, and mobility when #TransFormationTuesdays, hosted by the TransFormation Alliance (TFA) and its issue champions, kicks off Tuesday, August 24.
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published Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Internships in Jobs and Internships 2021-07-06 15:12:56 -0400

Internship Opportunity

Development Fundraising Intern

Job Title	Development Fundraising Intern
Hours/Compensation	10 - 15 hours/week, $15/hour; Eligible for college credit.
Semester	Summer 2022: early to mid-May through mid-August
Supervisor	Rachel Stanley, Senior Development Manager

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition seeks a Development Fundraising Intern who is interested in applying their knowledge of nonprofit management, sociology, political science, communications, English, or other similar field to help grow our fundraising efforts. This is a remote work position with some flexibility of work hours and length of the internship within the Summer semester. This intern must be available to start the internship the week of May 9, 2022 and work in-person on the evening of May 19. The Development Fundraising Intern will have significant opportunities to learn about entering and succeeding in the world of philanthropy and nonprofit fundraising.

Overview

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition envisions an Atlanta where everyone moves safely, easily, and sustainably throughout the city. Our mission is to reclaim Atlanta’s streets as safe, inclusive, and thriving spaces for people to ride, walk, and roll. Our advocacy and programs focus on creating a safe, equitable, and sustainable mobility experience in Atlanta for people who walk, use wheelchairs, take transit, bike, skate, ride scooters, etc. We support people who currently use these modes and strive to inspire more people to adopt sustainable mobility in their transportation routines. The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition aims to foster an environment that recognizes, respects, and values different backgrounds and talents and actively works toward racial equity and social justice.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition development team helps the organization grow inclusively and sustainably, and positions us to fulfill our strategic goals. The Development Fundraising Intern will:

Work closely with development staff to execute fund development goals and programs, namely our annual Blinkie Awards event on Thursday, May 19; availability to work in-person the evening of May 19, approximately 4 - 11 PM, is essential
Assist with updating materials and other donor communication with our organization’s new name and visual branding in late May
Conduct research on potential donors, including foundations and corporations
Update and improve data management in NationBuilder, our customer relationship management (CRM) database
Draft content for donor materials — such as pages on our website, email campaigns, briefs, impact report, and annual updates — particularly relating to the organization’s rebranding efforts

Intern Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

Has had active role in neighborhood, community, campus organizations, or nonprofits
Has used databases or CRM systems
Has crafted social media content
Has used graphic design programs, such as Canva

KNOWLEDGE

Is familiar with Atlanta as a region
Is familiar with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s strategic plan
Is familiar with Atlanta nonprofits and funders

STRENGTHS

Has a passion for advocacy and sustainable transportation
Is comfortable with working remotely and using technology, such as video conferencing
Has strong writing and analytical skills
Is detail-oriented with an ability to prioritize
Has strong interpersonal and communication skills
Is interested in and/or has past experience with nonprofits and fundraising

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits

The intern will work for 10 to 15 hours/week and be compensated at $15/hour.

Additionally, this internship is eligible for college credit, and we can be flexible to fit your degree program’s internship requirements (required number of hours, evaluation and reporting, etc.).

Our growing team of six enjoys forging change in the culture and infrastructure of the city we love, and we are looking for a community-minded Atlantan who is on board with our vision, mission, and guiding principles to join our team.

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is a remote workplace. While we are conducting our work virtually, the intern will receive consistent and dedicated supervisory attention to advance knowledge, skills, and expertise in development and fundraising and in working for a nonprofit in the transportation advocacy field. This internship will provide an opportunity to learn from our team, network and collaborate with partners, and make a significant impact on the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s work. Our diverse staff share a passion for our mission, support and celebrate one another’s successes, love a good laugh, and are committed to inclusion and equity.

To Apply

Send resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line “Development Fundraising Internship Summer 2022.”

Interviews will be conducted virtually and on a rolling basis. Eligible candidates will be contacted if selected for an interview. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until April 11, 2022.

Propel ATL published Calming down Atlanta streets in Blog 2021-06-14 16:54:20 -0400

Calming down Atlanta streets

We're celebrating a success! On Tuesday, July 6, Atlanta City Council passed better traffic calming policies for the City of Atlanta through ordinance 21-O-0405.

Take action: support better traffic calming policy for the City of Atlanta! Tuesday, June 15 between 4-7 pm, call (404) 330-6059 and leave a message of support for ordinance 21-O-0405.

Attend a neighborhood meeting anywhere in Atlanta and you’re likely to hear a common refrain: people are driving too fast.

Some may see it as just a nuisance or a fact of life in a city. But for people who use our streets outside of vehicles—and that’s everyone at some point—even a small increase in driving speed becomes a matter of life or death in a crash. High speeds also prevent a lot of street use. How many parents are afraid to let their kids walk or bike? How many older adults or people with disabilities avoid taking needed trips because high-speed traffic makes it that much harder to get places?

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Propel ATL published Barricades and beyond in Blog 2021-06-11 15:20:07 -0400

Barricades and beyond: what’s next for permanent multimodal safety solutions on Edgewood Ave, Lee St, and Piedmont Ave?

Atlanta, once a city of metal plates, became a city of bright orange barricades during 2020. Some are part of ongoing construction projects, like those lining the Piedmont Avenue Light Individual Transportation (LIT) lane. Others, like the barricades on Lee Street, were placed as a traffic calming measure on a wide street in need of a retrofit, providing a shortened crossing distance for people walking and using wheelchairs, and a temporary space for people on bikes and scooters. Finally, some were intended to prevent street racing and stunt driving, like the plastic barricades that were bumped into the LIT lane, blocking the path for people trying to bike or scoot in it.

Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta, GA

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Propel ATL published Atlanta Bicycle Coalition receives grant from redefinED atlanta’s Innovation Fund: Pandemic Education & Restart for $10,000 in Blog 2021-03-30 12:57:42 -0400

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition receives grant from redefinED atlanta’s Innovation Fund: Pandemic Education & Restart for $10,000

ATLANTA – March 30, 2021 – The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is excited to announce it is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from redefinED atlanta, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every student in Atlanta has the opportunity to attend a great public school. These funds will support the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s Bike Family program, which works with students, families, and staff in Atlanta Public Schools’ elementary schools located near High-Injury Network corridors. Bike Family equips participants with top quality bike education, proper safety gear, and their own bicycles so that they gain the skills and confidence to bike safely together.
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Propel ATL published Q3 Stakeholder Briefing Recap in Blog 2021-02-26 14:13:20 -0500

Q3 Stakeholder Briefing Recap

Last Thursday, many of you joined Atlanta Bicycle Coalition staff for our third quarterly stakeholder briefing. To everyone who spent the evening with us — thank you! We enjoyed sharing our 2020 accomplishments and 2021 priorities, and receiving valuable feedback on our 2021 City of Atlanta and Atlanta Board of Education Policy Agenda: creating a more equitable city through mobility.

If you weren’t able to attend, we’ve got you covered with a full recap, including Q&A review.
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Propel ATL published Policy Change at the School-level in Blog 2021-02-24 12:28:43 -0500

Make a positive impact for Atlanta’s K-12 students: Apply by February 28 to join your local Atlanta Public Schools GO Team

Policy change at the local level impacts the day-to-day experiences of our city’s residents. A major focus of our 2021 draft Board of Education Policy Agenda is for Atlanta Public Schools (APS) to ensure students have safe, convenient options to travel to and from school, and to help all children become more physically active by implementing proven strategies that promote walking, rolling, and riding transit to and from school.
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Propel ATL published Biden-Harris administration off and running with promising leadership on transportation and climate goals; Georgia’s newly elected congressmembers value sustainable transportation in Blog 2021-01-30 18:58:56 -0500

Biden-Harris administration off and running with promising leadership on transportation and climate goals; Georgia’s newly elected congressmembers value sustainable transportation

During his Senate confirmation hearing, President Biden’s nominee for United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s comments signaled a change in federal transportation priorities. Safety, jobs, climate — and trains — were the terms of the day. Buttigieg emphasized his “bottom-up” perspective as a mayor and we hope this experience will motivate reforms of federal transportation funding that benefit sustainable transportation projects and urgent local transit needs.
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Propel ATL published South Boulevard needs safer multi-modal infrastructure and safe speeds now! Leave public comment for Atlanta Department of Transportation by February 26 in Blog 2021-01-29 17:01:13 -0500

South Boulevard needs safer multi-modal infrastructure and safe speeds now! Leave public comment for Atlanta Department of Transportation by February 26

People have been advocating for safety on Boulevard for years — whether you’ve been involved with A Safer Boulevard, left public comment about safety issues on South Boulevard back in 2016, set up a “Slow Down” or “Drive 25” sign in your yard, or attended one of last week’s South Boulevard complete streets meetings, it’s been made clear: this community needs safety improvements for people who walk, ride, and roll on Boulevard ASAP.
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Propel ATL

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Browse at-large candidate responses by clicking below

Individual candidate responses are listed by post below, alphabetically by first name. All Atlanta voters will have the opportunity to vote on each at-large post.

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Internship Opportunity

Communications Intern

Overview

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Intern Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

KNOWLEDGE

STRENGTHS

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits

To Apply

Photo: current conditions on DeKalb Ave, pre-redesign and construction.

Who Can Participate?

How Do We Enroll?

Important Dates

Bike Family Partners

Who can participate?

Past Bike Family Cohorts

How do we enroll?

Class Structure

Partners

Internship Opportunity

Development Fundraising Intern

Overview

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Intern Qualifications

EXPERIENCE

KNOWLEDGE

STRENGTHS

Hours, Compensation, and Benefits

To Apply

We're celebrating a success! On Tuesday, July 6, Atlanta City Council passed better traffic calming policies for the City of Atlanta through ordinance 21-O-0405.

Edgewood Avenue, Atlanta, GA