This past Saturday, August 2, brought a welcome break from the scorching summer heat we’ve been facing in Atlanta and around the country. The temperate, cloudy day provided the perfect opportunity to reclaim the streets from Mother Nature and go on a community bike ride with students from Howard Middle School.

In the third year of our Get There by Bike series with the Virginia Highland Civic Association, Propel ATL provided a safe, efficient route for incoming sixth graders taking the big step up to middle school. This transition is a major milestone indicative of growth and increased freedom. With that comes greater independence, and what better way to exercise that than to begin traversing new terrain on a bike? 

The biggest ride yet—with more than 50 students and parents joining—saw participants arriving at Virginia Highland Elementary School to cover safety tips such as the "ABC" (air, brakes, chain) check, group riding, cycling etiquette when riding on multi-use paths, and their responsibilities as bike riders. Following this overview, the ride to DT Howard Middle School via the Beltline began. 

Throughout the ride, students were encouraged to call out their presence or ring their bells around pedestrians, to use hand signals, to pass along information from the ride leader, and point out key landmarks that would make navigating the route in the future more memorable. Upon arrival at Howard Middle School, students eagerly practiced locking up on the school’s bike racks and excitedly raised their hands to mention the landmarks that would help them independently bike the route: Kroger, bridges, Beltline markers, etc. 

We cheer and applaud youth taking a sustainable approach to school and the contribution the Beltline makes to creating a safe route for these students and many others. But in truth, this is not a reality shared by many Atlantans, including students and families who live along the High Injury Network. While we celebrate and proclaim the success of the Get There by Bike class this past weekend, with more riders safely navigating public roads and multi-use paths, we continue to advocate for those whose street infrastructure lacks the improvements needed to ensure a safe, efficient route to school, work, and their community.