Propel ATL’s annual Blinkie Awards on Friday, May 9 was an all-out party, complete with dancing City Council members (and others), a full-to-bursting bike valet, and around 250 fans of walking, rolling, and transit who filled up the Garden Club at Wild Heaven - West End.

Between event admission, the silent auction, sponsorships, and pledge cards, the Blinkies featured many ways for attendees to turn support into dollars. Overall, the Blinkies raised $87,079 for Propel ATL’s important work as the only nonprofit organization in Atlanta that advocates for safe streets, reliable transit, and the ability to live a full life without having to use a car.

The room was an Atlanta who’s-who of sustainable transportation professionals and advocates, ranging from planners at the Atlanta Regional Commission to journalists to elected officials and community leaders. Five members of Atlanta City Council were in attendance: Jason Dozier (District 4), Alex Wan (District 6), Marci Collier Overstreet (District 11), Matt Westmoreland (Post 2 At-Large), and Eshe Collins (Post 3 At-Large.) Dunwoody was also represented via City Council member Joe Seconder.

Blinkie awardwinner DJ Mike Zarin of Zegi provided the tunes, while MC Mark Kendall kept attendees laughing while moving proceedings along. Before the program kicked off, attendees grooved to beats, mugged for photos, perused the silent auction, made sustainable transportation pledges, and learned more about Propel ATL’s work.

While the evening was a celebration of the winners – Georgia Tech, Pedal Pushers Cycling Club, Ben Kamber, Veronica Watts, DJ Mike Zarin, and AJC reporters Asia Simone Burns and Justin Price – there were also pointed reminders that safe streets can make the difference between life and death. Before presenting the Safe Streets Advocate Award, Atlantic Station Civic Association President Satya Bhan called for a moment of silence for victims of traffic violence.

That somber note was echoed at the end of the program by Jason Tatum, Propel ATL’s board chair, as he recounted a close friend being hit and paralyzed by a driver before calling for pledges.

Perhaps unlike other, similar events, there was no visible rush out the door to the parking lot in order to “beat traffic” at the night’s end. Many lingered in conversation near the bike valet before pedaling off – a small glimpse at the city that is possible.

Big thanks to our Host Committee for making this annual event possible:

Anonymous
Blue Cypress Consulting
Emily & Zachary Hennessee
Georgia Commute Options
Hamid Nazemi
Jack Cebe, John Saxton, & Paul Leonhardt
Jason & Sarah Tatum
Jennifer Ball
Johann Weber
Joseph Scalia
Mercedes-Benz Stadium Green Team
Naoya Wada & Emily Taff
Shayna Pollock
Stephanie Hudson
Veo Ride