Georgia Bikes opposes bill requiring registration and licensing of bicycles

Georgia Bikes is aware of the recently proposed SB 310 and are not in favor of it. As this bill was filed March 22, it will not be advancing further in the 2021 legislative session. The current session is past crossover day so this is a “marker” bill for next year — nothing will happen on it during the current session. The bill reads:

SB-310 A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for registration and licensing of bicycles; to require registration of a bicycle for operation upon highways; to provide for punishment; to revise a definition; to provide for the acquisition of a license plate for a bicycle; to provide for the design of license plates for bicycles; to provide for application and form; to provide for the option of a one-time bicycle registration fee in lieu of annual registration; to prescribe fees for annual and one-time registration of bicycles; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. 

While we understand and share deep concerns about this kind of legislation, bills are filed regularly that do not receive hearings or votes so we ask that concerned individuals and organizations partner with us on a response as to build a unified voice on these important issues. Georgia Bikes’ legislative team is on top of the bill and are an incredibly effective group; we trust them in their approach to all bills at the Capitol. Through them, the organization has built relationships with important members of both the House and Senate on bicycle and transportation issues.

Georgia Bikes will share updates in the coming weeks on next steps for local bicycle advocates, clubs, and organizations and looks forward to educating legislators on positive measures that they can take to increase safety and access for people biking in Georgia.

If you have questions or concerns about SB 310, please contact us. For more information on other bills we are tracking, please visit our 2021 Legislative Agenda page.

U Create Macon student-athletes win national awards

U Create Macon student-athletes win national awards

When the National Interscholastic Cycling Association announced its annual awards on March 15, the U Create Macon team had reason to be proud. Actually, two reasons!

Richone Jackson won the Specialized Student-Athlete Leadership Award and Jaddarious Taylor received the GU Energy Extraordinary Courage Award. The awardees are members of the U Create Macon Bike Team and the Middle Georgia Composite Team, and are the only Georgians to bring home NICA awards.

“Richone and Jaddarrious were in disbelief that they won national awards. And when I told them there was a pool of over 25,000 students nationally, one of them got emotional,” said Charise Stephens, executive director of U Create Macon.

She jokingly said she can’t reveal which one, or else they may not speak to her again.

The NICA Awards are presented across eleven categories to individuals who have been nominated by their peers as the most outstanding student-athletes, dedicated coaches, and most supportive volunteers and sponsors that have contributed to the youth cycling movement during the past year.

Stephens said her students’ achievements have had an effect on their peers. 

 

“The announcement of the awards really inspired our kids,” she said. “Some of the U Create Macon kids in our program have never gotten an award and to see their teammates getting a national award inspired them.”

 

And it wasn’t just the students who have been heartened by their success.  

 

“To be quite honest, this award inspired the adults. We have come a long way from a club with borrowed bikes, to a team receiving national awards. I would have never thought it a million years that four people — Coach Lisa, Coach Janet, Ms. Gigi, and myself — could change our community like this,” she said. “These last two years have been magical.”

 

As news spread of the awards, interest in Stephens’ programs increased almost immediately.

 

“Since the announcement of the awards, we have gotten seven calls from parents wanting their kids to participate in our program. This momentum will be helpful as we are growing into We Bike GA chapters throughout Georgia,” she said. “Our goal is to continue to have more smiles by the mile and give every kid — no matter their financial situation — outdoor adventures.”

 

NICA President Steve Matous said, “The 2020 NICA Award recipients exemplify our mission of building strong minds, bodies, character and communities through interscholastic cycling. Even during a year when activities were restricted due to the pandemic, our student-athletes, coaches, volunteers and community found new and innovative ways to embrace our values and continue to bring NICA’s mission to our community. Through their involvement and contributions to their leagues, teams and the broader NICA community, each recipient has made a unique and profound impact.”

 

Similarly, Stephens said the U Create Macon students did not let the pandemic lessen their determination or dampen their creativity.

 

“Our goal with U Create Macon is for youths to ‘create’ their own future and this national NICA award shows that anything is possible,” she said. Our kids are dreaming bigger each day because of their love for cycling. It’s opening up a new world to them and our community will benefit from this for generations to come. Even with a global pandemic, our bike teams never stopped and our kids have flourished during these uncertain times.”

 

U Create’s success is truly the result of a team effort involving more than 20 volunteer coaches along with a dedicated group of SAG/general volunteers who support the mountain biking and road cycling programs year round.    

 

“Our volunteers have donated over 10,000 hours to the success of this program and their love shows in the accomplishments of our kids,” Stephens said. “It shows in their smiles.” 

 

While Stephens is proud of the recent awards, she said they are just getting started.

 

“So far our organization can say that we have NICA national winners, Positive Athlete regional winners, and our own awards ‘Middle Georgia Loves Bikes’ award for our students. We are looking forward to bringing more awards to Georgia,” she said.