ATLANTA CYCLING FESTIVAL 2015
The week-long Atlanta Cycling Festival kicks off today with more than 40 scheduled events. See the full schedule here. I attended some of the events from last year’s edition and was really impressed. It’s a good way to engage with other cyclists and learn about things that are happening in Atlanta from advocates.
Several moths ago, I got to have a nice talk with Jeffrey Wisard, the man behind the festival. He’s very committed to helping the cycling community grow in Atlanta beyond the core group of advocates, and growing the ranks of everyday riders of all types -- generally the kind of person we’re lucky to have in the city.
Here’s what he had to say this week to a couple of questions about local cycling issues:
Q: Cycling on Atlanta streets can be an intimidating prospect for some. Can a festival like this help average Atlantans get tools & info that could promote more cycling in the city?
Wisard: “Most assuredly, yes. Every person on the Atlanta Cycling Festival Team remembers their first “group ride” or group biking event.
“Getting on your bike for the first time can be intimidating, for sure, as well as attending any event where there are cyclists that are, “faster than me” or “have better bikes than me” or “will leave me behind.” Thus, we make sure that the ACF has built into it low-access to barrier events - you show up with your bike, bring a smile, meet cool people and have fun. No judgement, no glaring looks.
“Our goal is to help you fall in love with biking and to fall in love with the biking community (and maybe, you know, just fall in love. #BikeBabiesIn9Months). We think by doing this, each new biker will get all the info and tools they need to really enjoy cycling in our great city, Atlanta.”
Q: With this festival, plus Streets Alive, plus new bike lanes getting put on streets all the time, is the Atlanta bike community changing in noticeable ways?
Wisard: “My completely biased opinion: You bet your sweet bippy yes. My more thoughtful answer: I moved to Atlanta in 2006 and really didn’t see any infrastructure at all and the cycling community seemed segmented and VERY intimidating. Then, in 2010, this weird idea called, “The BeltLine” started to get some steam.
“At the same time, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition was working their magic and doing what they do best - darn great advocacy. Cirde de 2012/13 there was this seemingly huge pop of new infrastructure and everyone in the cycling community took notice.
“From there, you saw all different types of riders come out to ride - no longer was it the just road-hardened commuter or the punk-hipster in uber-skinny-mini pants, but you started to see families, girls in dresses and dudes in suits. AKA - The everyday rider. And all of these people were/are 100% approachable and friendly. Yes, the bike community is changing in very positive and very wonderful ways.”
Photo: a 2014 festival event at Atlanta Beltline Bicycle