The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC) is Atlanta's largest non-profit

bicycling Cycling, also, when on a two-wheeled bicycle, called bicycling or biking, is the use of cycles for transport, recreation, Physical exercise, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", or "bike ...

advocate. ABC was founded in 1991 to "create a healthier, more livable Atlanta by making it safer, easier, and more attractive to bicycle for fun, fitness, and transportation."

Programs, initiatives, and events

One of the highest profile programs sponsored by ABC is called ''Share the Road.'' This public awareness program aims to educate both cyclists and motorists that shared use of the road is safest and most enjoyable for all. ABC also teaches

Effective Cycling Effective Cycling is a trademarked cycling educational program designed by John Forester, which was the national education program of the League of American Wheelmen for a number of years until Forester withdrew permission for them to use the name ...

classes as part of its work to educate the public on the benefits of cycling. In addition, ABC offers a number of services, like bicycle counts, bicycle valets for events, and bicycle rack projects (in cooperation with Sopo Bicycle Co-op).

Atlanta Streets Alive

The ABC organizes

Atlanta Streets Alive Atlanta Streets Alive is a ciclovía held throughout the year in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Ciclovía is Spanish for a temporary closing of the street to automobiles for use by people participating in recreational activity. Organized by th ...

, a

ciclovía Ciclovía (, ), also ''ciclovia'' or ''cyclovia'', is a Spanish term that means "cycleway", either a permanent bike path or the temporary closing of certain streets to automobiles for cyclists and pedestrians, a practice sometimes called open str ...

, which in Spanish means a temporary closing of the street to automobiles for use by people participating in recreational activity, such as bicycling, roller-skating, jogging, strolling, scootering, or skipping. The free event takes place in

Downtown Atlanta Downtown Atlanta is the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The larger of the city's two other commercial districts ( Midtown and Buckhead), it is the location of many corporate and regional headquarters; city, county, s ...

and the

Old Fourth Ward The Old Fourth Ward, often abbreviated O4W, is an intown neighborhood on the eastside of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The neighborhood is best known as the location of the Martin Luther King Jr. historic site. Geography The Old Fourth Wa ...

, mostly on Edgewood Avenue. Sections of Auburn Avenue, Park Place, and Equitable Place are also closed to automobile traffic. The event kickoff is held at

Woodruff Park Woodruff Park, named for Robert W. Woodruff, is located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The park's are north of Edgewood Ave, between Peachtree Street NE and Park Place NE. The park includes a fountain, a performance pavilion, an ...

. In addition to cultural events, free group activities are offered to participants, including tango, yoga, soccer, hula hooping, and break dancing. In recent years, since 2012, the Atlanta Streets Alive has been extended to other areas of Atlanta, including two being held in

DeKalb County, Georgia DeKalb County (, , ) is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2020 census, the population was 764,382, making it Georgia's fourth-most populous county. Its county seat is Decatur. DeKalb County is inclu ...

, in 2015 and 2016, outside of the city limits of Atlanta, nearby in downtown

Decatur, Georgia Decatur is a city in, and the county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, which is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With a population of 24,928 in the 2020 census, the municipality is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple ZIP Codes in ...

and in the city of

Clarkston, Georgia Clarkston is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The population was 7,554 as of the 2010 census. The city is noted for its ethnic diversity, and is often referred to as "the most diverse square mile in America" and "the Ellis Islan ...

. In addition, the

Sweet Auburn Curb Market The Municipal Market is a historic market located in Atlanta, Georgia's Sweet Auburn Historic District at 209 Edgewood Avenue, S.W. The market operates as a nonprofit enterprise, with the building leased from the City of Atlanta and the individu ...

hosts the Urban Picnic, offering a variety of food trucks for hungry participants. The event is meant to promote exercise, good health, and physical activity. Tens of thousands of people attend the events, which are held in the spring, summer, or autumn months to take advantage of Atlanta's mild spring and fall climates.

The Mobile Social

Founded in March 2011, The Mobile Social is a monthly, no-drop, group bicycle ride sponsored by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. In response to the

Critical Mass In nuclear engineering, a critical mass is the smallest amount of fissile material needed for a sustained nuclear chain reaction. The critical mass of a fissionable material depends upon its nuclear properties (specifically, its nuclear fissi ...

cycling events, members of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition developed a social ride that is formal, organized, and aims to promote the following initiatives: 1. Get more people on bikes. 2. Explore Atlanta (west to east, north to south). 3. Support and love local businesses. 4. Create community through cycling.

Bicycle Friendly Neighborhoods

Connecting the City

Resources for Bicycle Commuters

The ABC has gathered a broad range of resources to provide information about riding safely on city streets.

References

{{Reflist Cycling in Atlanta United States bicycle advocacy groups Cycling organizations in the United States Organizations based in Atlanta Organizations established in 1991 1991 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)