Georgia Bicycling Rules of the Road

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Since it is National Bike Month, it is a great time to review the Rules of the Road.

  • Bicycles are vehicles and MUST obey traffic laws! Traffic laws that apply to vehicles also apply to bicycles. Bicyclists must obey stop signs, speed limits and traffic signals just as they would if driving a car.
  • In Groups, ride no more that two abreast and as a courtesy ride single file when traffic is present in your travel direction.
  • Ride on the right. Georgia Law states that bicyclists should ride as near to the right side of the roadways as possible. Bicyclists can move from the right when turning left, when avoiding hazards, when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, when traveling the same speed as traffic and when passing another vehicle.
  • At night, be seen!  Every bicycle must be equipped with a white front light and a rear red reflector, each visible from 300 feet. Rear red lights may be use as well.
  • Don’t hit the road without a helmet! Bicycle helmets are a good idea for everyone, and required by law for every bicycle rider younger than age 16. They must be fastened on securely.
  • Three Foot Rule. Motorists are required to pass cyclists by a distance of at least three feet.

Let’s all obey these rules and stay safe!

Decatur Active Living and Bike Decatur have produced a Bicycle Suitability Map for the city rating the road conditions for cycling as well as showing the location of bike lanes, water and bike parking. You can download one here, or stop by the Decatur Recreation Center or the Visitors Center to pick one up.

Bicycling Commuter Class and a Mobile Social

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It’s National Bike Month and Decatur has a couple of fun activities planned this week that you won’t want to miss.

On Thursday, May 9, we are offering a FREE Introduction to Bicycle Commuting at the Decatur Recreation Center from 6:30 – 8 pm. Learn from two cyclists who commute to work and most everywhere else on their bikes. To register, contact cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com or call 678-553-6541.

 Bike Decatur and Decatur Active Living join forces for the Bike Decatur  Mobile Social on Friday, May 10. Meet at Church Street MARTA station at 6:30 pm for a leisurely 5-6 mile ride through Decatur neighborhoods. All levels are welcome. We will stop off for refreshment at one of Decatur’s water holes after the ride. Meet other cyclists and have a nice evening. Helmets are required. The ride will be cancelled in the event of rain, but we have our fingers crossed for sunshine! Decorate your bike and join us for a fun evening.

Please like Bike Decatur on Facebook!

Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 8

 bts logoThousands of children across the country will be strapping on helmets, kicking up kickstands, and putting their mettle to the pedal as they ride their bikes to school on Wednesday, May 8, in celebration of the second annual National Bike to School Day. All of Decatur’s K-3 schools, Renfroe Middle School and St. Thomas More School will be participating and competing to see which school has the highest percentage of bicyclists.

Bike to School Day encourages a bike-focused celebration in the month of May and builds on the popularity and success of International Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October.

National Bike to School Day is part of National Bike Month, celebrating 56 years of promoting cycling. For a list of bicycling activities in Decatur, click here.

May is Bike Month: Join Us For Some Good Times!

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Decatur Celebrates With a Variety of Bicycling Opportunities!

  • Every Saturday: Sam’s Freight Room Ride, 2pm, Meet at 415 E Howard Avenue for an easy 11 mile ride through Avondale Estates, Oakhurst and Decatur. No drop ride.
  • May 4: Introduction to Cycling, 9 – 10am. Free. Spend an hour with certified instructors learning about the ins and outs of owning and using bicycles as day to day transportation. Register on WEBTRAC.
  • May 4: Introduction to Group riding Skills, 1-3pm,. FREE. Meet at Glennwood Elementary School.
  • May 8: Bike to School Day
  • May 9: Introduction to Bicycle Commuting, 6:30 – 8pm. Free. Decatur Recreation Center. Register on WEBTRAC.
  • May 10: Bike Decatur Mobile Social, 6:30pm. Meet at Church Street MARTA for a short ride around Decatur.
  • May 13 – 17: Bike to Work Week
  • May 17: Bike to Work Day: Riders are invited to stop by Decatur Recreation Center between 7 and 10 am for coffee and pastries before your bike commute to work. Decatur Bikes is also offering a refreshment stop  for Bike to Work Day.
  •  May 18: Beginner Group Riding Skills, 10am – 1pm. Class includes one hour of self study. Register on WEBTRAC.
  • May 19:  Bicycle South offers an easy no-drop ride to Stone Mountain Park, beginning from the store at 9 am. Refreshments at Bicycle South after the ride.
  • May 25 – 26: Bike Valet parking is offered at the Decatur Arts Festival. Sponsored by Bicycle South and the City of Decatur.

Opportunities to Ride Your Bike and Learn Bike Skills

The Southern Bicycle League has two upcoming events that you might be interested in.

On Friday, July 13th they will lead a bike ride through Arabia Mountain.

From their website:
Come and ride The Path through the nature preserve, over the covered bridge to Lake Alexander and onto the newest spur, South Rockdale River Trail.   Shady trail with  lots of wildlife.  Bring water and snacks as there are no store stops on the trail.  About 30 miles with moderate hills at a 10 mph avg.  Call Kelly Bilak for more info 404.831.4247.  Starting point Stonecrest Mall parking lot between Kohl’s and the Hyatt Place.  Look for the Gold F150.   Happy Hour after ride at Buffalo Wild Wings at the Mall.

And on Saturday, July 14th in Decatur they will hold a Group Bike Riding Skills Clinic at Glennwood Academy:

RIDE LEADERS Mike Masters and Mike Sheehan will host an intro group riding skills clinic. Meet at Glennwood Academy, 440 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur GA 30030, ready to ride at 1:30pm. The clinic starts with a group discussion covering the basics of bike safety, rules of the road, and group riding skills. There will be time for questions and answers on a variety of cycling topics before the ride begins. Following the group discussion, we will put theory into practice on a 5 mile group ride around Decatur. Participants are encouraged to reconvene at Fellini’s Pizza after the ride for refreshments and socializing (333 Commerce Drive, Decatur). This clinic is intended for beginner to intermediate cyclists who want to improve their group riding skills and get connected to the local cycling community. The clinic is appropriate for adult cyclists who have achieved at least a minimum level of cycling ability. For example, before attending this clinic you should: Know how to ride your bike, Know how to operate the brakes and stop your bike, Know how to change gears on your bike, Know how to inflate the tires on your bike, Be able to ride your bike in its current condition at least 10 miles, and be ready to meet new people, learn new skills, and have some fun. No clinic if it is raining or below 40 degrees.

(I don’t think we have to worry about it being below 40 degrees!!)

Enjoy your bicycling in Decatur!

Postal Service’s Bicycling Stamps Promote Healthy Lifestyle

One of the nation’s most popular outdoor activities gets its stamp of approval from the U.S. Postal Service with the issuance of the Bicycling Forever stamps.  The four stamps feature a young child just learning  to ride with training wheels, a commuter pedaling to work, a road racer intent on the finish line and an airborne BMX rider. 

Decatur is a bike friendly community so Decatur bikers obtain your bicycling stamp today.  Please visit your local post office or the stamps can be purchased online at usps.com/shop.

Cycling Benefits

Bicycling is an efficient  and affordable means of transportation.

Cycling reduces Obesity, Heart Disease, Improves Muscle Tone and Strength

Recent surveys indicate that Americans enjoy billions of bike rides a year

Active Living Sport Camps Kickoff with a Blast

Decatur Active Living Sport Camps kicked off with rainy weather on Monday but sunshine on Friday.  Decatur Active Living offered a variety of camps this week- Skate  McKoy, Softball Camp, Lacrosse Camp and Baseball Camp. Special thanks to our instructors this week Paul Kennedy, Don  Rigger, Gary Anderson and Eddie Fowlkes for teaching the fundamentals and character to our young participants.  During the week at Lacrosse Camp it was exciting to see former Decatur High School students and current players giving back to the Decatur community.  Get active and join the fun at Decatur Active Living Sport Camps.  For more information visit www.decaturga.com

Pictures of campers doing the week below at Skate McKoy and Lacrosse Camp:

 

       

Glenlake Pool Will Open Today at 5pm

Decatur residents Glenlake Pool will open today at 5pm and resume regular scheduled hours tomorrow.  Dynamo Pools has installed 8,000 lbs of White Filter Sand for Pool Water Filtration.  Special thank you to Dynamo Pools for the quick repair on the filtering system. For additional aquatic information please call 404-377-7231 or www.decaturga.com

Glenlake Pool Closed for Repairs- May 31 and June 1

Decatur residents Glenlake Pool will be closed on Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1 for repairs on the filtering system (removing the old sand and adding new sand to the filter).  In the interim please visit the two City of Decatur pools at McKoy or Ebster.  Glenlake Pool will reopen on Saturday, June 2 from 10am-6pm.  For additiona aquatic information please call 404-377-7231 or visit www.decaturga.com