Atlanta BeltLine Annual Bicycle Tour

by Jennifer Jezyk
The Atlanta Beltline Partnership and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition are teaming up for the 7th Annual Atlanta BeltLine Bicycle Tour on Saturday, June 14, 2014. Featuring “The Full Atlanta BeltLine” 27-mile route and “Atlanta BeltLine East Meets West” 16-mile route, the Tour will celebrate cycling and the city while tracing the current and proposed Atlanta BeltLine corridor along paths, parks, and neighboring streets through 45 Atlanta neighborhoods.
            The Full Atlanta BeltLine route (27 miles) traces the entire Atlanta BeltLine corridor and will make you fall in love with Atlanta.  Some highlights include: the Eastside Trail, the Ormewood Ave railroad bridge, D.H. Stanton Park (and splashpad), the Oakland City Urban Farm site, the West End Trail, Mozley Park, the Lionel Hampton Trail, Washington Park, the Northside Trail, Tanyard Creek Park, and Piedmont Park.
The more condensed East Meets West route (16 miles) takes you along a section of the Eastside trail before crossing town to some beautiful parks along the Atlanta BeltLine’s west side.  Highlights include: the Sweet Auburn Historic District, Adair Park, the Oakland City Urban Farm site, the West End Trail, Mozley Park, the Lionel Hampton Trail, Washington Park, Centennial Olympic Park, and the Freedom Park trail.
“The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is pleased to partner with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to offer this popular event to Atlantans once again,” said Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Interim Director Rob Brawner. “The community has responded with tremendous enthusiasm to the Atlanta BeltLine Annual Bicycle Tour, as well as the many other programs and fitness classes we have to offer. It’s encouraging to see the project transforming lives and having such an immediate impact on our residents.”
“The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition started this event in 2008 to celebrate the Atlanta BeltLine’s role in making biking practical, popular, safe, and convenient,” said Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Rebecca Serna. “Atlanta is becoming a more bikeable and walkable city, and this tour celebrates the potential.”
            Advance registration for the Bike Tour is $35 for adults ($30 for members of the Atlanta BeltLine or Atlanta Bicycle Coalition); on site registration rates (if ride is not sold out) are $45 for adults ($40 for members of the Atlanta BeltLine orAtlanta Bicycle Coalition) and will take place beginning at 8 am at the Fourth Ward Skatepark at 830 Willoughby Way, Atlanta, 30312. Staggered ride starts beginning at 9 am. Details and registration information are available at atlantabeltlinebicycletour.com.