On Tuesday, March 23, the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA) will co-sponsor the Fifth Annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” event to raise support for the development of a regional-scale bicycle network of both on-road facilities and multi-use-trails, and cycling connections focused around major transit facilities, activity centers and schools.
Metro-area mayors and council members are encouraged to participate in the bike ride, which will have routes departing from the cities of Roswell and Decatur.
“Transportation is not just moving cars, it’s about moving people,” said Decatur City Commissioner Fred Boykin, owner of Bicycle South and one of the event organizers. “This year we are taking the ride further by pressing legislators to introduce legislation that will help make walking and bicycling safer and more accessible. The majority of vehicle trips are less than two miles which is an easy distance to bicycle. If we can keep improving our local infrastructure to make it safe and appealing to cycle instead of drive, then we can help reduce congestion, improve our air quality and encourage a healthy way to travel.”
“The ride to the Capitol is my favorite bicycle ride of the year,” said Roswell Mayor Jere Wood, who will lead the bicycle ride from Roswell. “It’s not only fun, it’s a great way to demonstrate to the state that there is strong support for bicycling in Georgia.”
More than 1,000 bike enthusiasts are expected to join the ride that will culminate in a press conference on the Capitol steps with metro mayors and council members, state legislators and other state officials discussing the importance of funding for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and other alternative forms of transportation.
The bike ride is free and open to the public. Bicyclists are estimated to arrive at the Capitol at 11:40 a.m. The estimated departure time from originating cities are: Decatur at 10:45 a.m. and Roswell at 9:45 a.m.
For more information visit www.georgiaridestothecapitol.org.
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