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.
This grant from redefinED atlanta will allow the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to serve a cohort of 40 family members in the Finch Elementary School community. By investing in Atlanta communities most harmed by the institutional racism of transportation policies and projects, Bike Family provides bike safety education to residents who often face transportation-related inequities — including exposure to High-Injury Network streets that limit access to safe, affordable transportation options. Bike Family connects communities with a sustainable, affordable way of getting around — whether traveling to school, a neighborhood destination, or to transit. The Finch Bike Family cohort had their first session on Saturday, March 27 and will complete the course on Saturday, May 1st.
“We are grateful for this grant from redefinED that will allow the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to reach more students and families with our Bike Family program in a COVID-safe manner. While many Atlantans started biking during the pandemic, access to active transportation on safe streets is not equitably distributed throughout the city. Bike Family connects families with opportunities to ride safely in their communities and get involved with efforts to make streets safer,” says Rebecca Serna, Executive Director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition.
redefinED atlanta launched the Innovation Fund: Pandemic Education & Restart to support Atlanta’s education community as it addresses immediate needs created by the pandemic and advances innovative ideas that reimagine education for the future. Innovation Fund grants are only awarded to nonprofit organizations and community groups that support Atlanta’s public schools and/or students, or to schools in the Atlanta Public Schools district.
“The pandemic has disrupted learning as we know it, creating challenges and exacerbating inequities for schools, educators and students across the district,” said Ed Chang, Executive Director of redefinED atlanta. “The best way to help our students and schools right now is to invest in organizations like the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition who can quickly and creatively provide solutions that impact learning.
Finch students & family members participate in their first Bike Family class on Saturday, March 27
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About the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is a nonprofit advocacy organization that envisions an Atlanta where everyone moves safely, easily, and sustainably throughout the city. For more information on the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, please visit www.atlantabike.org.
About redefinED atlanta
redefinED atlanta is a growing collective of civic leaders and philanthropists passionate about and invested in transforming Atlanta into a place where every student in every community has the opportunity to attend a high-quality public school. For more information on redefinED atlanta, please visit www.redefinEDatlanta.org.
Media Contact
Margaret Mullins
Admin & Communications Coordinator, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition
404-881-1112