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May is Bike Month!

May is National #bikemonth. We have a full schedule of events to celebrate all the ways bikes can improve our community.

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Success of the Month

May is National Bike Month. On May 16th we are partnering with Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. to distribute FREE lights and pocket-sized "Know Your Bike Safety Rights" cards during our Fix Your Own Bike Night (6:00pm-8:30pm. Free lights and cards while supplies last). We'll light up the night and help y'all get ready for the rest of bike month. At the our Bike to Work Day Eve + FYOB Celebration, we will have all outrusual Fix Your Own Bike snacks and music. If you need lights, just ask! We want to ensure y'all are prepared to ride to work or ride anywhere!

Download Bike Safety Card

Firefly Bridge Call to Action

CALL TO ACTION: There are now 3 concept designs for a Firefly Trail / Trail Creek crossing. Two are more traditional versions of a trestle bridge. The other is an S-shaped bridge that would provide scenic overlooks of Trail Creek and the old trestle. You can see all the designs and provide input online. Flagpole also reported on the meetings.

Bike Month Reading Recommendation

From newsletter Editor Emeritus, Richard Shoemaker: A short book excerpt describing the professional cycling debut of Marshall "Major" Taylor. Major Taylor became the first African-American cycling world champion in the late-1890s. He made his professional debut only months after Plessy v. Ferguson enshrined "separate but equal" as the law of the land. Read how 18 year old Major Taylor faced explicit and hostile racism to race an all-white field at Madison Square Garden. It is a great read. Thanks for the recommendation, Richard.

BikeAthens is located at 1075 W. Broad Street in Athens, GA. Our shop hours are:

Sun: 2pm - 4:30pm
Mon: 6pm - 8:30pm
Tues: 10am - 12:30pm
Wed: 6pm - 8:30pm
Thu: 6pm - 8:30pm FYOB

Volunteer Highlight

Michael only started volunteering with BikeAthens about at month ago. In that short time, he has impressed us with his dedication and zeal for the work. Example: he logged over 20 volunteer hours in April. He also brings in records for the turntable! This is why we are highlighting Michael this month.

Name:

Michael Goltzer

How long been involved with BikeAthens?

I’ve been working regularly at BikeAthens for the past month.

What do you love about BikeAthens?

I like the work in the shop and the people who are there to help. I’m learning a lot about different tools and methods to maintain bikes and appreciate the deep reservoir of experience available. Scott, Jason and Don are great advisors. I’m particularly impressed at how Scott explains or demonstrates how to use a tool or solve a problem, and then leaves me to work it out without hovering or micro-managing.

What is your favorite job to do when volunteering?

I’ve enjoyed all the tasks related to bicycle repair. It’s fun to make a dirty and neglected bike into something useful.

What was your first bike?

My parents bought me my first bike when I was eleven or twelve. It was a used Schwinn Stingray with a half-banana seat and a coaster brake. I was mortified that it came equipped with training wheels! Those came off right away.

Best bike related memory?

Years ago when we lived in Michigan, we’d roll out with the family on rides that always ended up at the venerable Bob Jo’s ice cream shack in Wyandotte for frozen custard. I’m not sure the kids would have participated without that sweet incentive.

Forward

WE BELIEVE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

BikeAthens is a non-profit organization in Athens, Georgia that works to build equity in transportation. We advocate for a safe and connected city, repair bikes for people who need them, and teach safe cycling to people of all ages.

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