Project Glow Lights Up The City

On November 4th, over 40 ABC members joined the first ever, Project Glow. Members convened at Woodruff Park, and then divided into four groups. With fearless ride leaders and sweeps, they set out to ride roughly 8 miles each, and pass out lights to riders they saw riding without them. Along their ride, they also stopped at nonprofits to deliver lights that case managers and staff had requested. At Lutheran Services, staff joyfully received lights that will go to newly arrived refugees who ride bikes for transportation. At Atlanta Mission, Mercy Community Church, and Gateway, light sets went to individuals facing housing insecurity. Read more

Clips Hits It Out Of The Park

New Belgium’s Clips Beer and Film Tour partnered with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, and returned to Atlanta on Friday, October 14, to the enjoyment of many ATLiens. The free event offered inspirational short films, small-batch brews and food for sale, and lit up the night with custom marquee signs and on-screen delights.  Read more

Top 10 Reasons

Top 10 reasons you should be an ABC member in case you need some encouragement.    Read more

Bikeways and affordable housing: making the connection

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

Honoring Dennis

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

Ride With A3C

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

Why your membership matters

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

Trees Ahead!

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

What I Learned at Bike School

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

Heather Goes To The Open Streets Summit

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

Mobility Concierge Gets You Around Midtown: Kip Dunlap

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

Welcome Atlanta Bike Share Early Adopters

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

ABC Business & Bikes Hits Peachtree Street

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

Ouch

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

Transportation Improvements (TSPLOST) 2016 project list includes lots of good things for bikes

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

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