Month: May 2020

Bike Month Advocacy Organization Profile: U Create Macon Bike Team

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Throughout May we are celebrating National Bike Month 2020 by sharing information on bicycle advocacy organizations around the state that are working to improve conditions for people who ride bikes in their communities. We’ll learn more about the cities they serve, their missions and goals, and how they are adapting their efforts during the pandemic. To learn more about bicycle advocacy groups in Georgia, visit our directory.

Bike Month Advocacy Organization Profile: U Create Macon Bike Teams

Tell us about your organization, your mission, and your community. 

The U Create Macon Bike Team is a very unique program. U Create Macon houses several cycling programs that maximize our opportunities to give our youth the best opportunity to have outdoor adventures. We are the only youth chapter of the Major Taylor Association (Major Taylor  – Middle Georgia Chapter), The Middle Georgia Composite Team (Mountain Biking), Trips for Kids (Trips for Kids Middle Georgia), soon we will be a Free Bikes for Kids program (Summer 2020). We are looking at bringing Little Bellas by 2021. Our goal is to continue to cultivate a relationship with US Cycling and Velodrome organizations to round out our programs.

Before the pandemic, what were your major goals, events, or initiatives for 2020?

Our major goal is to get more kids on bikes. Our strategic plan for 2020 is to have more kids on bikes (safely as possible) in the history of Macon and Middle Georgia. COVID-19 has changed our approach but the mission is still the same. We use the Georgia Bikes pocket guides and our Bike Rodeo with Georgia Bikes and OCMA Dream Team was the largest ever in Middle Georgia. It was a catalyst for our program. Without that youth bike rodeo, there would be no program like we have today. 
 

How have you adapted your plans to continue amid the pandemic?

We have incorporated more virtual opportunities and because so many races have been canceled, we are creating some local outdoor adventures. Working with Dublin OCMA Dream Team, Coach Chris is spearheading a youth-only, six-day event. We are grateful to our U Create Macon core adult volunteers — Coach Lisa Doughtery, Coach Janet Grier, Coach Sam Macfie, Coach Tommy Neaves, Coach Fred Simonelli, Coach Brian Robertson, Coach Diane Fowler, Coach Nathan Robertson, Coach Wesley Altram, Coach Chris Johnson, Coach Daylon Martin, Coach Tom Glover, Coach “in training” Michael Robinson, Victor Chatfield and Ms. Gigi Weaver — for keeping our programs moving forward.
 

How has your community changed during the pandemic? Do you see more people biking, walking, and rolling for recreation and transportation? 

COVID-19 has changed our community forever but I do see more people walking, biking, and practicing self-care. Macon has a high number of preventable diseases (obesity, diabetes, etc.) and we are hoping that U Create Macon can be a community partner to help our community get healthier. Our program is award winning. We just won the Safe Routes to School Friend Partner of the Year for the East/Central Georgia region.
 
 
 

— Charise Stephens, U Create Macon Founder 

For more information visit the U Create Macon Bike Team Facebook Page or contact them via email. 

Bike Month will be different this year, but we will make the most if it!

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Bike Month will be different this year, but we will make the most if it!

May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month is a chance to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try. This National Bike Month will necessarily be different, with a focus on well-being and connection.

The National Bike Challenge, which coincides with Bike Month is a great way to stay connected with friends and co-workers, while encouraging each other to get out and ride individually. You can search for groups in your community or company, or even start your own. We would be honored if you also joined the Georgia Bikes! group. (You can belong to multiple groups).

Haven’t been on your bike in awhile or concerned about cycling during the coronavirus pandemic? We have assembled information on best practices for health and safety to go along with our pocket guides and other publications. Want to teach younger family members to ride safely? We’ve got you covered there, too, with resources for teaching bike safety at home. In addition, we’ve curated a full calendar of cycling webinars, education programs, and other online events.

Stay tuned for announcements on Bike Month events next week, including webinars and a virtual advocacy happy hour! Stay safe and give extra support and ❤️ to essential workers and essential riders who are most at risk right now.