Last week’s resignation of Ryan Gravel and Nathaniel Smith from the BeltLine fundraising board focused a spotlight on equity concerns, affordable housing, gentrification and displacement related to the BeltLine.  We’re not housing experts, of course. Our focus at the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is on making biking safe, equitable, and appealing as a key aspect of making Atlanta a better, more accessible, more livable place for everyone. If people can't afford to live within biking distance of where they want or need to go, we won’t  succeed, no matter how many great bike lanes and trails we successfully advocate to build. Image by By Onehiroki - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38212209 Read more

ABC co-founder and longtime Executive Director died July 15 of complications from a brain tumor. He was remembered fondly at a well-attended memorial at Southface, another Atlanta organization where he made a big impact.  On my way to the service, I biked down the short stretch of bike lane on Peachtree Street and was reminded of a black and white photo in our office depicting Dennis biking down Peachtree Street. In the photo he's leading a advocacy ride and carrying a sign reading "Bike Lanes Now!" Getting the bike lane on Peachtree Street had been a goal of ABC since the early days, both for its utility and the statement it makes.  Why not honor Dennis by naming the first section of bike lane on Peachtree Street after him? Read more

Hip hop hooray! Bike tours and hip hop are coming to Atlanta this October! Read more

In 2006, Bicycling magazine named Atlanta the worst city for cyclists. The world's premiere cycling magazine cited "growing car use" and "declining facilities for cyclists" as major reasons for Atlanta's poor showing. Read more

This painted sign is starting to appear on more streets in Atlanta. Signs like these are symbolic reminders of more complete traffic laws, but when I see a sharrow, I choose to interpret it as “Trees Ahead!” Seriously. Isn’t the icon really showing a tree canopy shading the biker’s way? Amirite? Read more

Traffic Skills 101? Bikeshare 101? What are all these classes being offered to bike riders? If you’ve been riding a bike for years, would you really benefit from them? What could there possibly be left to learn? Or if you’re new to bike riding (or bike riding in a city), would these classes help you move beyond the Eastside Trail? Read more

At the end of August, I (Events Coordinator for ABC) had the privilege of attending the International Open Streets Summit in Portland, Oregon. When I would tell a friend where and why I was going out of town for the week they all responded quickly, "Of course that conference would be in Portland." I was always quick to point out that Atlanta was the host city at last years summit, but I get what they meant. After all, Portland is known for being quite the bike-friendly city--it has a ton of great bike infrastructure, a bridge dedicated to transit, biking and walking (no cars!), a brand new bike share system, a progressive DOT and Mayor, and 7.2% of commuters go by bike. The Opening Plenary included Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Mayor Charlie Hales (City of Portland), both long-time bike advocates. It was amazing to hear from both of them, as well as several Portland Bureau of Transportation employees and other Portland residents. Read more

We were overjoyed to learn that Kip Dunlap, ABC Member since 2013, would be Colony Square's new Mobility Concierge. Colony Square announced the position in January 2016 to "work with tenants, guests and the greater Midtown community to identify customized transportation and mobility solutions and incentivize their use." Colony Square is located at the intersection of 14th and Peachtree Street. “We’re dedicated to bridging the mobility gap,” said Mark Toro, managing partner of North American Properties (NAP). “We will strive to encourage and accommodate the entire community in finding commuter solutions because mobility is the answer to how Atlanta will continue to grow and recruit the best and the brightest.” We wanted to learn more about this innovative new approach to encourage people to expand their mobility options in Midtown, so we asked Kip a few questions about his new role.  Read more

Just this summer, ten bike stations sprouted in downtown. A few virtual hubs were planted throughout the city as well. The stations are equipped with comfortable cruising bikes with three gears, lights, and a basket to carry your work stuff or your groceries (not your significant other). We at ABC, with support from PICH, have some free classes running over the next five weeks. The first one is Saturday, August 27th from 10:00 – 12:00.  We are gathering at Hardy Ivy Park. Be sure to rsvp here! Read more

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Peachtree Street on August 19th as part of Atlanta Bicycle Coalition's Business and Bikes! Read more

Our ride home Saturday night started out like any other. Unlock, put on helmet, turn on lights, ride out. We were on a rare date night and took advantage of the opportunity to try out a new restaurant without the kids. It was lovely, the night was warm, and as we rode over the Jackson Street bridge, the crowd taking selfies brought a smile to our faces.  The good times came to a grinding halt where the bike lane ends in front of Camden Apartments. It all happened so fast. A sporty silver car with dark windows turned -- right into my front wheel. As I simultaneously slammed on the brakes and tried to execute the emergency quick turn (thanks for teaching me that, Jamie) I cried out involuntarily, one thought on my mind: I'm going to fall.  Read more

The Atlanta City Council approved the TSPLOST (transportation sales tax) project list Monday, July 18 with significant funding for bike projects, complete streets, and multi-use trails...not to mention $3 Million for phase 2 of Atlanta's bike share! Next the list goes to the Fulton County Commission for approval before voters weigh on the referendum on the 0.4% sales tax increase this fall. Voters will also see a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund MARTA expansion. More details below. Read more

Dennis Hoffarth, a co-founder, President, and Executive Director of the then-Atlanta Bicycle Campaign, passed last Friday from complications from a brain tumor. He was instrumental to a number of environmental groups, including Southface Energy Institute. Read more for a few of his many contributions to the cause of better biking in Atlanta. Read more

We're so impressed! Tait Rosbottom, a 15 year old, rising sophomore at Maynard Jackson High School has biked to school EVER SINGLE DAY this year! Rain or shine, everyday. Not only is he an inspiration to bike commuters, especially those who have other transportation options (aka temptations) on rainy days, Tait is an inspiration to those desiring to live healthy, sustainable lives.  Read more

Image from Planning Atlanta - A New City in the Making 1930s - 1990s - City Planning Maps from GSU Digital Collections Office of Neighborhoods? Transportation planning with a focus on transit? A Main Street program for the city of Atlanta? Design studios that go to where the people are? This is no planning utopia, but elements of a bold plan introduced by Commissioner Tim Keane to reorganize The City of Atlanta Department of Planning and Community Development.  I'm a big fan of this plan because I believe it will expand the city's capacity to take a bigger leadership role in designing the city for all. Specific to biking, neighborhood level planning, transit, and main streets that recognize the increasing role of high quality bike lanes that support local businesses all have great potential. Read more after the jump, and find out how you can support this progressive move.  Read more