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.
Among so many other accomplishments, Dennis was instrumental in:
- Organizing ABC’s Bike to Work Day and Bike There! events every May
- Getting the City of Atlanta to turn grates to be safe for bicycle wheels
- Helping Bicycle User Groups (BUGs) speak out in different counties
- Promotion of the Bicycle Suitability Map and Safe Routes to Schools
- Representing ABC to the 1996 Olympic planners, and getting three bike corrals (and hundreds of volunteers) in the two week Olympic period (i.e., Pedal To The Medals!)
Dennis was the city's face of bicycling, going to countless public hearings (by bike), as well as managing day-to-day operations, and making sure ABC had an excellent newsletter. ABC’s first office was in Dennis's home on Flora Avenue. It’s impossible to imagine where we would be without his years of patient service.
His friends and colleagues in many forums will celebrate his life and work at a special event onJuly 30 at 3 pm (with a reception to follow) at Southface, 241 Pine Street NE, Atlanta 30308. Please enter at the south entrance. Bicycle parking will be available and car parking adjacent to the building. Southface is also a few blocks east of MARTA Civic Center Station.
(Photo credit Chris Hunt)