Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > May > 01
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sick of Traffic Option #1: Bike
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Photo by Sara Hopkins at SoPo Bike Co-op in East Atlanta.
Navigating this town is tough. I can commiserate with this line from How Stuff Works, which lays it out like the plain-as-day truth it is: “No grid system exists for streets and no apparent rhyme or reason explains street placement, so traveling around the city can be confusing.”
So, if the traffic engineers never got the lesson on coloring inside the lines — or creating straight ones, for that matter — we have to get creative, too.
A bike tour around parts of the city this week convinced me that it’s reasonable for some of us to get around without sitting in traffic. And truly, if I can stay upright and moving on a bike in traffic, you can too. (Suffice to say I lasted about a month in ballet classes before it was clear, to quote my mom, “…there was no hope.”)
I wrote this SoPo Bicycle Co-op story a few weeks ago, which got me thinking more about biking here.
You can also check out bike stores and myriad other bike organizations in the area. There’s a list or groups behind the link, including an update from Reader Janet, who pointed out that the Roswell Mayor’s Annual Ride will start at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Roswell Recreation Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road in Roswell.
Good luck, and click below for more bike info. (Freshly updated at 11:20 a.m. May 2!) Know of another event or organization? Leave a comment or write me at jgumbrecht@ajc.com. I have a feeling we’ll be talking about this a lot.
For more bike information, check out these organizations’ Web sites.
Atlanta Bicycle Campaign, a local bike advocacy group.
Critical Mass, a monthly ride starting downtown to promote bike use.
Georgia Bikes, a statewide bike advocacy group.
League of American Bicyclists, the national bike advocacy group with a lot of helpful info, including basic maintenance guides for regular riders or those just returning.
SoPo Bicycle Co-op, an East Atlanta co-op that gives riders access to knowledge and tools for a hands-on bike experience at the rate of whatever you can afford to pay.
Southern Bicycle League, publishers of Freewheelin’ and this site, which features clubs, calendars and information for bikers of all levels. (Thanks Ali!)
Roswell Bikes, a Roswell-based advocacy group.
Roswell, Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization, a site focused on issues, activities and maintenance for mountain biking. (Thanks Emil!)
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