On Friday, May 9, Propel ATL will celebrate some of Atlanta's most dedicated advocates for sustainable transportation at our annual Blinkie Awards. From 7 to 10 p.m. at Wild Heaven - West End, we’ll hear inspirational stories from our award winners while enjoying music, food and drinks, bike valet, silent auction, and door prizes representing our walk/bike/roll/transit mission.

This year’s Blinkies will be hosted by Atlanta comedian Mark Kendall. With production partner Bill Worley, Mark is the co-founder of CoolCoolCool Productions, which uses comedy to encourage civic engagement. Their videos were named “Best Reason to Laugh” by Atlanta Magazine in 2021.

Awards this year honor both individuals and organizations making a difference in metro Atlanta.

2025 Blinkie Award winners 

Institutional Leadership in Mobility Award: Georgia Institute of Technology

Pictured: Arthur Toal, Director of Continuous Improvement, Administrative Service Center; Derrick Walker, Director of Transportation, Parking and Transportation Services; Jason Gregory, Institute Landscape Architect, Planning, Design & Construction; Angel Cabrera, President of Georgia Tech; Lisa Safstrom, Transportation Program Specialist, Parking & Transportation Services; Tim Lieuwen, Executive VP for Research; Abraham Werner, student, Student Government Association; Brandon Ho, student, Starter Bikes; Jerry Young, Landscape Project Manager, Planning, Design & Construction

Georgia Tech, a top-ranked public research university, is nationally recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a gold-level Bike Friendly University. Georgia Tech has striven to improve bicycling and micromobility access and safety on campus and beyond. In 2024, the Institute built extensive new bike/scoot infrastructure throughout campus including a new two-way, protected cycletrack stretching from Midtown to the west side of campus. Georgia Tech is also installing protected bike/scoot infrastructure on other streets on campus, while working with the City of Atlanta, Midtown Alliance, and PATH Foundation to improve connections to campus.

Georgia Tech partners with Propel ATL to conduct monthly bike safety classes and rides, offers an online bike/scooter safety class, and has given away hundreds of free helmets to participants. Georgia Tech’s academic class offerings for students include instruction on multimodal facility planning and design, training the next generation of progressive urban planners. 

Expanding the Movement Award: Pedal Pushers Cycling Club

Pedal Pushers Cycling Club is a nonprofit organization that promotes health and wellness and builds community through cycling. Pedal Pushers pairs at-risk youth with adult mentors, who provide guidance, support, and a positive influence for their mentees. Mentors engage and build trust through cycling excursions and other fun activities, while developing their conflict resolution and leadership skills, and building their self-confidence.

Sustainable Transportation Champion Award: Ben Kamber

Ben Kamber, a Senior Program Analyst with the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Mobility Services Department, manages the Atlanta E-Bike Rebate Program. This initiative advances accessible, sustainable transportation in Atlanta and has truly changed lives, connecting people to jobs, school, and daily life in an environmentally friendly – and fun – way. A recent survey showed the program has made a positive impact on the lives of participants and communities, with recipients driving less and biking more.

Safe Streets Advocate Award: Veronica Watts

Veronica Watts is a dedicated transportation safety advocate working at the intersection of policy, equity, and public safety. After surviving being hit by a driver and seriously injured while walking in a crosswalk, she became a passionate voice for stronger traffic laws and better street design. She collaborates with local organizations, state leaders, and community members to push for safer, more accessible pedestrian infrastructure. Her work focuses on ensuring that all Georgians, regardless of zip code, can get around safely and reliably without having to drive. 

One of Veronica’s biggest efforts has been creating and advocating for a “Vulnerable Roadway Users” Senate study committee at the Georgia General Assembly. This proposed committee would review issues affecting people walking, biking, and other non-motorists, from lack of safe infrastructure, to rising crashes and the victim notification process. The resolution successfully passed the Georgia Senate and now sits on the Lt. Governor’s desk, awaiting selection as one of the five study committees that will move forward this year. Veronica continues to advocate and lobby on behalf of this initiative and other legislative efforts aimed at protecting those most at risk on our roads.

Veronica also sits on the Communications Committee of Propel ATL and is a member of Atlanta Families for Safe Streets. 

Legacy of Support Award: DJ Mike Zarin of Zegi

Starting out as a club DJ in his late teens, Mike found his passion playing house music at Midtown clubs. He later went on to host the long-running Houseworks radio show on WRAS 88.5 FM and play his own shows with his DJ crew, 4Deep. Beyond the house scene, Mike has worked with restaurants, hotels and boutiques as well as with executive global brands to create memorable experiences and events for guests from all around the globe. Mike founded Zegi in 2009 with a mission to create fully customized DJ sets for the most discerning of clients. With over 15 years of professional experience in corporate, club and social event markets, Zegi brings a unique and refreshing approach to events. More recently, in collaboration with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition / Propel ATL, Mike launched Atlanta Streets Alive Radio, a live radio broadcast that airs during each Atlanta Streets Alive.

Transportation Media Award: Asia Simone Burns & Justin Price (The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Voted on by the 2025 Blinkie Awards Host Committee

Asia Simone Burns is an investigative reporter focused on law enforcement and public safety. She delivers in-depth reporting focusing on transparency and systemic impact. She previously reported for WABE, Atlanta's NPR member station.

Justin Price is a data reporter who works to uncover societal issues, disparities, and injustices. He joined the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2023 from Phoenix where he spent five years as a journalist on the investigative team at The Arizona Republic, shining light on prison labor, police misconduct and charter schools.

Together, they spent two years exhaustively reporting “Chases Unchecked,” an investigative report in The Atlanta Journal Constitution that uncovered how state patrol pursuits endanger Georgians, resulting in the worst police-pursuit death rate in the U.S.

This year’s Blinkie Awards celebration takes place against the backdrop of change in sustainable transportation and safe-streets advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. One of the nation’s first bills to use technology to restrict “super-speeders” now awaits the Governor’s signature. At the same time, Federal funds for cycling and other sustainable transportation projects are being cut. Locally, progress is happening but at an uneven pace.

“Our work for safer streets and transit saves lives, but change doesn’t always come easy,” said Propel ATL Executive Director Rebecca Serna. “That’s why it’s so important to come together to celebrate the champions, change-makers, and victories along the way.”

Get your tickets here! letspropelatl.org/blinkies