Month: January 2018

Georgia Bikes Request for Bids: 

2018 Georgia Bike Summit Host City

Event Date: Fall 2018, date TBD

Applications due: Friday, March 23, 2018 @ 5PM to info@georgiabikes.org

Summary

Georgia Bikes is the voice for a bicycle friendly Georgia. Our mission is to promote bicycling and to improve bicycling conditions throughout the state. We see the bicycle as both a sensible means of transportation and an enjoyable form of recreation. By creating friendlier conditions for cycling, we will improve traffic congestion, air quality, public health, and the overall livability of our communities. For more about the organization and its programs, visit http://GeorgiaBikes.org.

To share best practices and disseminate information about creating bicycle friendly communities, Georgia Bikes hosts the Georgia Bike Summit every Fall. The purpose of the Summit is to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders  – bicycle advocates, cycling enthusiasts, bicycle retailers, elected officials, law enforcement, transportation planners and engineers as well as representatives from the fields of public health and tourism – to collaborate in building a bicycle friendly Georgia. A secondary purpose of the Summit is to the showcase the bicycle culture and amenities of communities throughout the state. Toward that end, the Summit is hosted in a different city each year.

Previous Summit locations:

·        2010 – Savannah

·        2011 – Athens

·        2012 – Augusta

·        2013 – Roswell

·        2014 – Columbus

·        2015 – Milledgeville

·        2016 – Jekyll Island

·        2017 – Macon

For photos and information about previous Georgia Bike Summits, visit: http://georgiabikes.org/index.php/events/38-bikesummit

Host City Representative: Scope of Work and Responsibilities

The host city shall provide an individual representative to serve as the primary liaison between Georgia Bikes and the host city for the 2018 Georgia Bike Summit. The host city representative will be expected to:

1. Work with Georgia Bikes’ Executive Director to develop a six month timeline that corresponds to the Scope of Work and by which to manage and implement the planning and coordination of the 2018 Georgia Bike Summit;
2. In collaboration with the Executive Director, establish a 2018 Georgia Bike Summit Committee comprised of local bicycle advocacy organization leaders/staff,  local bicycle retailers, and, if appropriate, representatives from public health agencies, CVBs, and local government;
3. Attend 2018 Georgia Bike Summit Committee teleconference and in-person meetings as scheduled by the Executive Director;
4. Coordinate local event sponsorship solicitations, lodging discounts, publicity, media outreach, and invitations to elected leaders and transportation officials

Outlined tasks above may be modified and other tasks relevant to the development of the 2018 Georgia Bike Summit may be assigned as needed, based upon mutual agreement of the ED and Host City Representative.

Qualifications for Host City

The 2018 Georgia Bike Summit Host City will be an accessible, safe, and welcoming venue for a multi-day conference focused on bicycling issues in Georgia.

Required qualifications include:

• Presence of an active local non-profit advocacy organization with a mission focused on on-road/paved trail bicycle safety and advocacy
  • Local advocacy organization must be able to provide 6-8 volunteers for logistical needs
  • Local advocacy organization must coordinate Summit social event(s) and group bike ride(s) for Summit participants
• Conference facilities that can accommodate up to 200 Summit participants and attendees
  • Facilities must include a plenary session room with seating for up to 200 individuals, plus at least four breakout workshop session rooms that can seat up to 65 individuals each
  • Facilities must be safely accessible by bicycle to and from lodging options
• Lodging options that are safely accessible by bicycle to and from Summit facilities and event locations
• Facilities for pre- and post-Summit social events that can accommodate up to 250 Summit participants and attendees
  • Facilities must allow for food and beverage service
• Catering options for social events and conference meals/ snacks
  • Caterers must be able to accommodate a full range of dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free meal options

Preferred qualifications include:

·        “Bicycle Friendly Community” designation or active pursuit of such designation

·        Bicycle rental or bike share opportunities for Summit participants

·        Free or subsidized conference facilities

·        Opportunities for mobile workshops

·        Vocal support for the 2018 Georgia Bike Summit from local elected officials

Application Process

Interested communities are invited to send their bid via email only to Elliott Caldwell, Executive Director, Georgia Bikes, info@georgiabikes.org. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM EST on Friday, March 23, 2018.

Proposal Guidelines

Bids should include the following:

1. Name and contact information for Host City Representative;
2. Contact information for local advocacy organization in host city;
3. Narrative explaining why the community is the best host city for the 2016 Georgia Bike Summit with specific reference to required and preferred qualifications outlined above;
4. List of three most recent comparable events or conferences held in the community.

Questions? Contact Elliott Caldwell at info@georgiabikes.org

Georgia Bikes is a statewide organization that works across Georgia to support communities in creating environments that are appropriate for smart bicycling.  Our work requires collaborations with many organizations and individuals who are local and involved to see this vision accomplished.  Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Resource Center in Georgia works in five regions across the state; North, Southwest, Metro Atlanta, Coastal, and East Central, with a dedicate staff member in these areas.  There are a number of available resources and services communities are about to receive free of charge to make their school communities a safer, fun, and well designed environments for everyone to have the option to bicycle.

Here is an interview with the newest member to the team, Marielena Gutierrez, she works in Metro Atlanta, covering Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton.  She works in the position formerly held by Nichole Hollis.  If your school community is looking to get students walking and biking to school or different ways to increase physical activity during the school, this interview will cover the services offered and how to make contact with SRTS Georgia.

What is your position with SRTS?  What do you do?

I am Marielena Gutierrez and am an Outreach Coordinator with SRTS in Metro Atlanta serving Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties.  I encourage students and schools to walk or bike in a safe way.  Our project is based on the Six Es which are:

• Engineering
• Encouragement
• Education
• Evaluation
• Enforcement
• Equity

I coordinate events like International Walk to School Day or “I Walk”, help schools coordinate making safe routes with planners, engineers, and schools to increase safety, provide materials and resources free to partner schools, attend career days, visit after-school programs and libraries, and give the “Crossing Award” to crossing guards.  Additionally I work closely with School Champions who are either staff, parents or school liasion, who coordinate events in schools.  

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Working directly with children is the most rewarding.  When I am out and able to teach something, seeing them enjoy learning makes me happy!  I enjoy serving communities regardless of status and getting parents involved.  The goal is to build a new generation and we are planting the seeds for that growth towards more active lifestyles.

What parts of your role do you feel add the most value to the school community?

Everything is important!  Education however is the key.  Events can be adopted on a weekly or monthly basis, it all depends on the school’s commitment level to making progress.  It is exciting and schools benefit more when they are more engaged in the events and more active.

What are ways you think school communities must change to make them safer environments for students to walk or ride a bike?

This is also a combination of everything!  Children must be educated to have knowledge about safety.  Drivers also need more information because many are not aware of the dangers.  Speed control which is a design and engineering issue must also be addressed.  Without any changes, there will be more crashes on school campuses.  All the pieces together are important.

How can schools get involved with SRTS?

It is easy!  Schools, parents, teachers may contact the Resource Center by calling, emailing; all the information is on the website.  http://saferoutesga.org/content/georgia-regions

What are some successes you’ve had this year?

There was a high number of participants and participating schools in “I Walk/” International Walk to School Day this year.  A total of 61 schools in DeKalb, Clayton, and Fulton in both elementary and middle school.  The City of Decatur had a high participation and Westchester Elementary had a total of 77% students participate in “Walk and Roll”, their version of “I Walk”. That made them won the “Golden Shoe Award”.  We are also reaching the Hispanic community.  This year I was able to provide information in Spanish to students in assemblies and classes about safety.

What do you do when not working?

I like to go to the gym, to cook, eating, hanging out going to concerts, festivals and being with friends and family!