Propel ATL

Last updated

Propel ATL is a sustainable transportation advocacy group in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization is the product of a merger between two previous organizations: the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC) and Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety (PEDS) completed in 2021, and renamed to Propel ATL in 2022. [1] 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." [2] Since the merger, the organization has expanded their advocacy from cycling to all forms of sustainable transport.

Contents

Programs, initiatives, and events

One of the highest profile programs sponsored by Propel ATL 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. Propel ATL also teaches Effective Cycling classes as part of its work to educate the public on the benefits of cycling. [3] In addition, Propel ATL offers a number of services, like bicycle counts, bicycle valets for events, and bicycle rack projects (in cooperation with Sopo Bicycle Co-op). [4]

Atlanta Streets Alive

Propel ATL organizes Atlanta Streets Alive, a ciclovía, 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 and the Old Fourth Ward, 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. [5] 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, in 2015 and 2016, outside of the city limits of Atlanta, nearby in downtown Decatur, Georgia and in the city of Clarkston, Georgia. In addition, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market 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. [6] 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. [7]

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 cycling events, members of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition developed a social ride that is formal, organized, and aims to promote the following initiatives: [8]

Propel ATL has gathered a broad range of resources to provide information about riding safely on city streets. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Critical Mass (cycling)</span> Group cycling advocating cycling friendly policy

Critical Mass is a form of direct action in which people travel as a group on bicycles at a set location and time. The idea is for people to group together to make it safe for each other to ride bicycles through their streets, based on the old adage: there's safety in numbers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">League of American Bicyclists</span> Non-profit organization in the US

The League of American Bicyclists (LAB), officially the League of American Wheelmen, is a membership organization that promotes cycling for fun, fitness and transportation through advocacy and education. A Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the League is one of the largest membership organizations of cyclists in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle culture</span> Culture supporting the use of bicycles

Bicycle culture can refer to a mainstream culture that supports the use of bicycles or to a subculture. Although "bike culture" is often used to refer to various forms of associated fashion, it is erroneous to call fashion in and of itself a culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling advocacy</span> Activities promoting cycling

Cycling advocacy consists of activities that call for, promote or enable increased adoption and support for cycling and improved safety and convenience for cyclists, usually within urbanized areas or semi-urban regions. Issues of concern typically include policy, administrative and legal changes ; advocating and establishing better cycling infrastructure ; public education regarding the health, transportational and environmental benefits of cycling for both individuals and communities, cycling and motoring skills; and increasing public and political support for bicycling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation Alternatives</span>

Transportation Alternatives is a non-profit organization in New York City which works to change New York City's transportation priorities to encourage and increase non-polluting, quiet, city-friendly travel and decrease automobile use. TransAlt seeks a transportation system based on a "Green Transportation Hierarchy" giving preference to modes of travel based on their relative benefits and costs to society. To achieve these goals, T.A. works in five areas: Cycling, Walking and Traffic Calming, Car-Free Parks, Safe Streets and Sustainable Transportation. Promotional activities include large group bicycle rides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Complete streets</span> Transportation policy and design approach

Complete streets is a transportation policy and design approach that requires streets to be planned, designed, operated and maintained to enable safe, convenient and comfortable travel and access for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. Complete Streets allow for safe travel by those walking, cycling, driving automobiles, riding public transportation, or delivering goods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">California Bicycle Coalition</span>

California Bicycle Coalition, also known as CalBike, is an advocacy organization based in Sacramento that seeks to expand bicycling in the U.S. state of California. A related organization, the California Bicycle Coalition Education Fund, conducts solely charitable functions. The California Bicycle Coalition was founded in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Francisco Bicycle Coalition</span>

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC) is a California 501(c)(4) nonprofit public-benefit corporation established to "transform San Francisco's streets and neighborhoods into more livable and safe places by promoting the bicycle for everyday transportation." Founded in 1971, dormant through much of the 1980s, and re-founded in 1990, the SFBC in 2011 has a dues-paying membership of over 12,000 and is considered to be one of the most influential membership-based advocacy organizations in San Francisco.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia (BCGP) is a nonprofit advocacy group that has been working to improve conditions for bicyclists in the Greater Philadelphia region through advocacy and education since its founding in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Street Trust</span> American non-profit organization

The Street Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy organization based in Portland, Oregon, United States. The Street Trust advocates for the safety and ease of biking, walking and riding public transit in communities. The organization does legislative work at the statewide and national levels and endorses legislation and ballot measures. It successfully lobbied Portland's mass transit company, TriMet, to accommodate bicycles on buses and prevailed in a lawsuit to uphold Oregon's Bicycle Bill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Toronto</span>

Toronto, Ontario, like many North American cities, has slowly been expanding its purpose-built cycling infrastructure. The number of cyclists in Toronto has been increasing progressively, particularly in the city's downtown core. As cycling conditions improve, a cycling culture has grown and alternatives such as automobiles are seen as less attractive. The politics of providing resources for cyclists, particularly dedicated bike lanes, has been contentious, particularly since the 2010s.

Cycling in Illinois encompasses recreation, bikeways, laws and rules, and advocacy. The director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Joel Brunsvold, explained Illinois cycling opportunities: “Bicycle riding is one of the most popular outdoor recreational activities in Illinois, enjoyed by young and old alike...Illinois has a variety of trails for the public to enjoy. The terrain includes flat prairie land to rolling hills, towering bluffs to the breathtaking river and lakefront views.” Many communities across the state are updating bicycle infrastructure in order to accommodate the increased number of cyclists on the roads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Detroit</span>

Detroit is a popular city for cycling. It is flat with an extensive road network with a number of recreational and competitive opportunities and is, according to cycling advocate David Byrne, one of the top eight biking cities in the world. The city has invested in greenways and bike lanes and other bicycle-friendly infrastructure. Bike rental is available from the riverfront and tours of the city's architecture can be booked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in San Francisco</span>

Cycling in San Francisco has grown in popularity in recent years, aided by improving cycling infrastructure and community support. San Francisco's compact urban form and mild climate enable cyclists to reach work, shopping, and recreational destinations quickly and comfortably. Though San Francisco's famed steep hills can make cycling difficult, many parts of the city are relatively flat, including some of the most densely populated. However, heavy automobile traffic, the lack of bike lanes on many streets, and difficulty in crossing major streets deter most residents from cycling frequently in San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Canada</span> Overview of cycling in Canada

Cycling in Canada is experienced in various ways across a geographically huge, economically and socially diverse country. Among the reasons for cycling in Canada are for practical reasons such as commuting to work or school, for sports such as road racing, BMX, mountain bike racing, freestyle BMX, as well as for pure recreation. The amount and quality of bicycle infrastructure varies widely across the country as do the laws pertaining to cyclists such as bicycle helmet laws which can differ by province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlanta Streets Alive</span> Open streets car-free ciclovia festival in Georgia, U.S.

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 the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, Atlanta Streets Alive opens streets for people in the city of Atlanta by temporarily closing them to cars to create a whole new healthy, sustainable and vibrant city street experience. People can walk, bike, roller-skate, jog, skip and roll down 3 to 5 miles of major thoroughfares that have been closed to cars throughout Atlanta three or four times a summer. Throughout the route there are activities and examples of tactical urbanism inspired to help citizens envision shared streets. In 2018, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition connected the routes for Atlanta Streets Alive with their street campaigns to drive energy towards demanding more complete and shared streets in the city of Atlanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cycling in Atlanta</span>

Cycling in Atlanta has grown in popularity in recent years, from 0.33% of commutes in 2000 to 1.1% in 2009, aided by improving cycling infrastructure and community support. Although Atlanta has historically been a city defined by the automobile, its increasingly compact urban form and mild climate are encouraging residents to cycle to work, shopping, and recreational destinations. Though Atlanta's famed hilly topography can make cycling challenging, though fun, many parts of the city are relatively flat, including some of the more densely populated areas. However, heavy automobile traffic, the lack of bike lanes on many streets, and difficulty in crossing major streets deter most residents from cycling frequently in Atlanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arts in Atlanta</span> Cultural resources in Atlanta

The arts in Atlanta are well-represented, with a prominent presence in music, fine art, and theater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in Atlanta</span>

Atlanta's transportation system is a complex multimodal system serving the city of Atlanta, Georgia, widely recognized as a key regional and global hub for passenger and freight transportation. The system facilitates inter- and intra-city travel, and includes the world's busiest airport, several major freight rail classification yards, a comprehensive network of freeways, heavy rail, light rail, local buses, and multi-use trails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciclovia in the United States</span> Open-streets car-free festivals

Ciclovia in the United States are scheduled open-streets car-free festivals in various American cities. The ciclovía concept originated in Bogotá, Colombia.

References

  1. "About". Propel ATL . Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  2. "About us | Atlanta Bicycle Coalition". Archived from the original on 2011-09-05. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  3. "Current efforts and projects | Atlanta Bicycle Coalition". Archived from the original on 2011-09-05. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  4. "Official website". ABC website. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  5. "Atlanta Streets Alive makes roads into activity space May 23 | accessAtlanta". Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  6. Hansberger, Angela (2018-04-17). "Hawg and Ale Smokehouse opened a new location this week, Sabbath Brewery takes over the old EAV Barbell and more | Atlanta Creative Loafing". Clatl.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved 2019-07-19.
  7. "Atlanta Streets Alive returns June 25 - Atlanta INtown Paper". 24 June 2011.
  8. "What is the Mobile Social? - the Mobile Social". Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  9. "Bike Commuter Guide - Commuting by bike in Atlanta". Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-02-02.