Bike Walk Macon

Macon’s Big Bike Ride

Macon’s Big Bike Ride is a new Bike Walk Macon event and fundraiser that highlights the need for friendlier, safer, and healthier streets in Macon-Bibb County. This 7-mile ride through Downtown Macon and surrounding neighborhoods will unite hundreds of local riders to advocate for improved infrastructure and transportation options, showcase the benefits of biking, foster a thriving bicycle community, and raise essential funds for Bike Walk Macon.

As the largest bike ride currently taking place in Macon, this event is not just a ride—it’s a movement. By joining us, you’ll support our mission, contribute to healthier living, sustainable multimodal transportation, and a strong community spirit. Be a part of this exciting event to make a powerful statement for a better biking future in our city!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
– Kick-Off Party + Registration (5 – 6 PM): Sign your waiver, grab your wristband, and get pumped for the ride! Enjoy music, learn about our advocacy goals, and discover how you can help improve our streets. Connect with fellow riders and find ways to get involved.
– Ride (6:30 PM – 8 PM): Join us for a casual 7-mile ride through Downtown Macon and nearby neighborhoods. This ride welcomes everyone—whether you’re new to biking or a seasoned pro, come be part of the movement!
– After-party: Details coming soon! Enjoy exclusive First Friday discounts and continue the fun with your fellow riders.
– Advocate: By participating, you support our manifesto for better biking infrastructure, safer streets, and a more connected Macon-Bibb. Learn more on the event page.
– Support: Help us raise $5,000 to support safer streets and active transportation in Macon-Bibb. Every dollar helps build a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly community. Visit www.bikewalkmacon.com/bigbikeride for details on our mission and how to support our ride ambassadors. Donations of $25 or more include a one-year Bike Walk Macon membership. Explore member benefits here.

REGISTRATION + WHAT TO KNOW:
– Registration: Only $10 per person, which includes access to both the ride and after-party. Kids under 10 ride free! Bike Walk Macon members will receive a special discount code via email.
– Optional Add-On: Purchase the inaugural Macon’s Big Bike Ride t-shirt for $25.
– What to Bring: Helmet (required), bike lock, bike lights, and water bottle.
– Need Assistance? We want EVERYONE to join. If you need help with the registration fee, please contact us at kaylee@bikewalkmacon.com.
– Make it fun! Deck out your bikes with lights and bring your speakers. It’s Halloween weekend and First Friday so wear whatever you want—let’s light up the streets and make some noise!

SAFETY FIRST:
– Requirements: All riders must sign a waiver, wear a helmet, and have bike lights.
– Youth Riders: Kids under 16 must ride with an adult (1 adult per 2 kids).
– Support: We’ll have police escorts and route leaders on hand to ensure everyone has a smooth ride.

Visit bikewalkmacon.com/bigbikeride to purchase tickets, support our ambassadors, and learn more about Macon’s Big Bike Ride!

Open Streets Macon: Houston Avenue

Bring your friends and family, and share in the experience of enjoying our city streets as public space!

Join Bike Walk Macon for a special spring Open Streets Macon on Sunday, March 12th from 1 PM to 4 PM! The streets of Macon will leap to life as Houston Avenue (Villa Crest Ave. to Lynmore Ave.) becomes a paved park. The street will be closed to motorized traffic for Maconites to enjoy their city streets as public space. There is no registration, and Open Streets Macon is FREE and open to the public.

Organized by Bike Walk Macon, Open Streets Macon is a car-free celebration of public space; bringing people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds together to walk, skate, bike, play, and re-imagine how we use our public streets.

WHAT IS OPEN STREETS?
Open Streets programs, also known as Ciclovias, are a movement to activate people, strengthen businesses, and inspire public spaces by temporarily closing streets to cars. This is a free, regularly occurring program that offers Macon the opportunity to experience city streets in a whole new way, taking an active role in this global movement.

WHEN?
Sunday, March 12th from 1 PM to 4 PM

WHERE?
Houston Avenue (Villa Crest Ave. to Lynmore Ave.)

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
1. Organize an activity on the day – we are seeking business and community partners to provide programmings such as yoga, dance, basketball, and kid- and senior-friendly activities along the route. Sign up at www.openstreetsmacon.com/activitypartners/.

2. Join the volunteer team – In order to make this a safe and enjoyable event for all, we need dozens of dedicated volunteers to help bring the streets of Macon to life! Sign up to volunteer at www.openstreetsmacon.com/volunteer.

Read more about the initiative and how to get involved at www.openstreetsmacon.com.

Night Cycling 101

Want to learn how to be a safe night cyclist? Join Bike Walk Macon on Thursday, February 9, 2023, for a special night-cycling class. You’ll learn the best practices for riding at night, how to see and be seen, and how to be a confident cyclist when the sun goes down. We’ll implement these techniques together with a group night ride through Downtown Macon after the lesson.

THE DETAILS
This class is FREE to attend for adults 18 and up, but please pre-register at nightcycling101.eventbrite.com to help us prepare. The class will begin at 6:00 PM at the Bike Walk Macon Office at 830 High Street and last for about 2 hours. We’ll have FREE Bike Walk Macon lights, snacks, and water. Be sure to bring your helmet!

Bike Walk Macon has a limited supply of bicycles for use, though we recommend bringing your own bike since it is best to learn to ride on the bike you will be using most. Email kaylee@bikewalkmacon.com to borrow a bike.

THANK YOU!
This Bike Walk Macon class is made possible by a Georgia Office of Highway Safety Grant.

Open Streets Macon: Walnut/Clayton St.

Bring your friends and family, and share in the experience of enjoying our city streets as public space!

The 2nd route of 2022’s Open Streets Macon returns Sunday, November 6th from 2 pm to 5 pm with a new route! The streets of Macon will leap to life as Walnut/Clayton Street (Walnut St. to Clayton St. to Buford Pl. to Oak Haven Ave.) becomes a paved park. The street will be closed to motorized traffic (except for intersections where cars will be free to cross). There is no registration, and Open Streets Macon is FREE and open to the public.

— WHAT IS OPEN STREETS? —
Open Streets programs, also known as Ciclovias, are a movement to activate people, strengthen businesses, and inspire public spaces by temporarily closing streets to cars. This is a free, regularly occurring program that offers Macon the opportunity to experience city streets in a whole new way, taking an active role in this global movement.

WHEN?
Sunday, November 6th from 2 pm to 5 pm

WHERE?
Walnut St. to Clayton St. to Buford Pl. to Oak Haven Ave.

— HOW DO I GET INVOLVED? —
1. Organize an activity on the day – we are seeking business and community partners to provide programmings such as yoga, dance, basketball, and kid- and senior-friendly activities along the route. Sign up at www.openstreetsmacon.com/activitypartners.

2. Join the volunteer team – In order to make this a safe and enjoyable event for all, we need dozens of dedicated volunteers to help bring the streets of Macon to life.
We will also install a permanent traffic calming street project to improve biking and walking during the Open Streets event. We are relying on residents like you to help us build it during Open Streets!
Sign up to volunteer at www.openstreetsmacon.com/getinvolved.

Read more about the initiative and how to get involved at www.openstreetsmacon.com.

Open Streets Macon: Pleasant Hill

Bring your friends and family, and share in the experience of enjoying our city streets as public space!

The 1st route of 2022’s Open Streets Macon is Sunday, October 2nd from 2 pm to 5 pm! The streets of Macon will leap to life as Pleasant Hill (Pursley St. to 3rd Ave. to Ward St.) becomes a paved park. The street will be closed to motorized traffic (except for intersections where cars will be free to cross). There is no registration, and Open Streets Macon is FREE and open to the public.

WHEN?
Sunday, October 2nd from 2 pm to 5 pm

WHERE?
Pleasant Hill – Pursley St. to 3rd Ave. to Ward St.

Read more about the initiative and how to get involved at www.openstreetsmacon.com.

Macon Car Free Day

Join the movement to go car-free in Macon on May 20th. By pledging to use alternative transportation (public transit, biking, or walking) or reduce your car use (ridesharing, carpooling, or teleworking), you can explore new options, improve air quality, reduce emissions, save money, meet new people, and see your community from a different lens. Whether you’re on your way to work, school, the park, or to run errands, Car Free Day is a chance to see all the benefits of alternative transportation.
Help us reach our goal of 200 Maconites going car-free on May 20th by signing the car-free pledge today!

Jane’s Walk Macon

Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. On the first weekend of May every year, Jane’s Walk festivals take place in hundreds of cities around the world. Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbors.
Bike Walk Macon is facilitating free, citizen-led walking conversations to explore our city, share stories about our community and connect with our neighbors.

The 2022 Schedule will focus on Historic Pleasant Hill and Vineville Neighborhoods with Caitlin Mee as the designated Bike Walk Macon City Organizer.

Macon Bike Party – Rolling Town Hall + Transportation Forum

Bike Walk Macon is hosting a fun opportunity to interact with our government leaders. We hope you’ll bring your friends, family, and neighbors and join us for a casual bike ride followed by an outdoor discussion dedicated to walking, biking, and access to transit!

Where do our elected officials stand on transportation issues you care about? What will our elected officials do to make streets safe for people walking, biking, and riding the bus? What investments are most pressing to realizing Macon’s potential for sustainable transportation modes? Get answers to these and more questions.

Expect a casual bike ride, lively discussion, and informative evening.

SCHEDULE:
– 5:00 pm: Meet at Jefferson Long Park (Pursley St.).
– 5:30 pm: Casual, 3-mile beginner ride begins. We will bike as a group through the Pleasant Hill, InTown, and Downtown Macon neighborhoods.
– 6:15 pm: Ride will end back at Jefferson Long Park. Bike parking and water will be available.
– 6:30 pm: We will have a moderated discussion at Jefferson Long Park with all participating government leaders from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

MORE DETAILS:
– All ages and skill levels are welcome to this FREE event.
– If you can’t participate in the ride, join us for the discussion at 6:30 pm.
– Bring your own chairs and/or blankets for seating.
– Masks are encouraged to be worn before and after the bike ride and any time people are gathered.

A special thank you to AARP Georgia, our 2021-2022 Macon Bike Party Presenting Sponsor!

Visit www.bikewalkmacon.com/bikeparty for more info!