February 13th, 2020 marked the 13th annual Blinkie Awards & Member Party. The Blinkie Awards honor the people, projects, and plans making Atlanta safer and more accessible by sustainable transportation modes. Some 240 people attended the event, sponsored by Bike Law Georgia, The Trolley Barn, and Georgia Bikes. Participants enjoyed ABC Bike Valet service and music by DJ Zegi along with food and drinks donated by Eventide Brewing, Six Feet Under, and Homegrown Restaurants -- Doc Chey’s and Osteria 832.
Following a welcome by our Deputy Director, Haydée Santana, Rebecca Serna shared updates on the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s new strategic direction, mission, and 2020 priorities. She also shared plans for the 10th anniversary of Atlanta Streets Alive, which we'll start celebrating with a block party in South Downtown on Sunday, May 17th (details coming soon!)
Next, Cassius and Marley Alabanza drew cheers as they issued an invitation to the 2020 Youth Bike Summit coming to Atlanta in March from the Youth Advisory Council. Finally, our Community Engagement Coordinator Sagirah Jones emceed the Blinkie Awards.
Read more to see who was recognized!
And the 2020 Blinkie Awards go to...
GOLD DOME AWARD
Honoring legislation to improve safety for people walking and biking throughout the state of Georgia. Senator Parent is being recognized for her work on SB 1, the hit and run bill originally introduced by State Representative “Able” Mable Thomas known as CJ’s Law, and Representative Anulewicz for her e-bike legislation.
- State Senator Elena Parent
- State Representative Teri Anulewicz
- Presented by Elliott Caldwell, Georgia Bikes Executive Director
Rep. Teri Anulewicz and Sen. Elena Parent
COMMUNITY CATALYST AWARD
Honoring community groups that advocate for transportation safety improvements in their neighborhoods. NPUs S and T collaborated to call on the City of Atlanta to invest in safety improvements to Cascade Ave and Cascade Road (see their letter here).
- NPU-S: Nick Hess
- NPU-T: Terry Ross & Kim Scott
- Presented by Wykeisha Howe, 2019 Bike Champion
From left, Nick Hess, Terry Ross, Kim Scott, and Wykeisha Howe
CREATIVE ACTION
Honoring change agents who are persistent and imaginative in their efforts to hold the City of Atlanta accountable for completing current transportation plans. The Complete DeKalb Ave Coalition arose out of a desire to make DeKalb a safe bike corridor through the resurfacing project.
- Complete Dekalb Ave Coalition: Niklas Volmer & Jordan Streiff
- Presented by Bruce Hagen, Bike Law Georgia
Attendees arriving at Bike Valet
VISION ZERO
Honoring organization committed to eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries throughout Atlanta. Safe Streets for Walking & Bicycling is a supplement to the Atlanta Regional Commission's active transportation plan – Walk. Bike. Thrive! – that establishes a regional approach to eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes that is data-driven, pro-active, and aggressive.
- Atlanta Regional Commission - Safe Streets for Walking & Bicycling
- Presented by Katherine Cummings, Atlanta Families for Safe Streets
Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Governing Board members
As we wrapped up the program, our Board Chair Naoya Wada conducted a crowd vote to determine this year's Favorite Local Bike Shop. For the second year in a row, the award went to Atlanta Pro Bikes. As we transition to an organization whose advocacy includes, but is not limited to bikes, we're discontinuing this award for now but will always support our wonderful local bike shops.
