Propel ATL

Propel ATL
PredecessorAtlanta Bicycle Coalition (1991–2021)
Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety (1996–2021)
FormationJune 17, 2021 (2021-06-17)
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Region served
Atlanta metropolitan area
Executive director
Rebecca Serna
Websitewww.letspropelatl.org
Formerly called
Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (2021–2022)


Propel ATL is a sustainable transportation advocacy group based in Atlanta, Georgia, that advocates for safer streets for people who walk, bike, ride transit, or use mobility devices.[1] The organization was formed through the June 2021 merger of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC) and Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety (PEDS), and was renamed Propel ATL in May 2022.[2][3][4] ABC was founded in 1991 to "create a healthier, more livable Atlanta by making it safer, easier, and more attractive to bicycle for fun, fitness, and transportation,"[5] while PEDS was founded in 1996 by Sally Flocks to make Georgia communities safer for people on foot.[6] In 2019, ABC adopted a strategic plan expanding its advocacy from cycling to all forms of sustainable transportation, a shift formalized by the PEDS merger and 2022 rebrand.[4][7] As of 2024, Propel ATL's executive director is Rebecca Serna, who previously led ABC.[4][8]

History

The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition was founded in 1991, and Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety was founded in 1996 by Sally Flocks, who led the organization for 23 years before retiring in 2019.[6] In 2020, the two organizations partnered on a campaign that led the City of Atlanta to adopt a Vision Zero traffic-safety resolution.[2] ABC and PEDS formally merged on June 17, 2021,[2][3] and the combined organization adopted the name Propel ATL in May 2022, announced at the organization's annual "Blinkie Awards" ceremony.[7][4][3]

Programs, initiatives, and events

One of the highest profile programs sponsored by Propel ATL is called Share the Road. This public awareness program aims to educate both cyclists and motorists that shared use of the road is safest and most enjoyable for all. Propel ATL also teaches Effective Cycling classes as part of its work to educate the public on the benefits of cycling.[9] In addition, Propel ATL offers a number of services, like bicycle counts, bicycle valets for events, and bicycle rack projects (in cooperation with Sopo Bicycle Co-op).[10]

Atlanta Streets Alive

Propel ATL helped originate Atlanta Streets Alive, a ciclovía—a temporary closure of streets to automobile traffic for activities such as bicycling, roller-skating, jogging, strolling, scootering, or skipping—inspired by similar open-streets events in Bogotá, Colombia.[11] The event originally ran mostly along Edgewood Avenue in Downtown Atlanta and the Old Fourth Ward, with a kickoff at Woodruff Park and free group activities including tango, yoga, soccer, hula hooping, and break dancing.[12]

Following a four-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event returned in September 2023 with a route along Peachtree Street between downtown and 15th Street in Midtown, which has drawn crowds estimated at over 100,000 in past years.[13] As of 2026, the event is presented by the Atlanta Department of Transportation with support from Propel ATL and rotates among several routes: the Peachtree Street route between downtown and Midtown, a route along Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard and Georgia Avenue between West End and Grant Park, and a route along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between the Beltline's Westside Trail and South Downtown introduced that year.[13][14][15] A Howell Mill Road date held in partnership with the Westside Stride street festival has also appeared on recent schedules.[14]

The Mobile Social

Founded in March 2011, The Mobile Social is a monthly, no-drop, group bicycle ride sponsored by the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. In response to the Critical Mass cycling events, members of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition developed a social ride that is formal, organized, and aims to promote the following initiatives:[16]

  • Get more people on bikes.
  • Explore Atlanta (west to east, north to south).
  • Support and love local businesses.
  • Create community through cycling.

Propel ATL has gathered a broad range of resources to provide information about riding safely on city streets.[17]

Blinkie Awards

Propel ATL hosts an annual awards ceremony known as the Blinkie Awards, recognizing individuals, organizations, and public officials for contributions to street safety and sustainable transportation in Atlanta.[7] Past honorees have included a transit advocacy group recognized for a survey of bus-stop conditions and a neighborhood association recognized for pedestrian-safety organizing.[7]

Advocacy and policy work

Since the 2021 merger, Propel ATL has expanded its policy advocacy to include oversight of the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT), the city agency created in 2019.[8] The organization hosts an annual Transportation Roundtable that brings advocates together with members of the Atlanta City Council to discuss transportation infrastructure and funding.[8] Propel ATL has also organized candidate forums on transportation issues during Atlanta City Council elections[18] and has advocated for pedestrian- and cyclist-safety improvements to be included in city street-resurfacing projects.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About". Propel ATL. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and PEDS formalize merger". Propel ATL. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "NEWS BRIEF: Atlanta Bicycle Coalition gets a new moniker". Creative Loafing. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Propel ATL is new name of Atlanta Bicycle Coalition". Rough Draft Atlanta. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "About us | Atlanta Bicycle Coalition". Archived from the original on 2011-09-05. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  6. 1 2 "This Atlanta pedestrian advocacy group has named its new leader". Marietta Daily Journal. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Ruch, John (May 2022). "Propel ATL revealed as Atlanta Bicycle Coalition's new name at awards event". SaportaReport. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 Tarr, Delaney (23 February 2024). "City Council brings 'urgency' to transforming Atlanta's streets". SaportaReport. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Current efforts and projects | Atlanta Bicycle Coalition". Archived from the original on 2011-09-05. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  10. ↑ "Official website". ABC website. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Atlanta Streets Alive set to debut beloved Peachtree route for '26". Urbanize Atlanta. 15 April 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Atlanta Streets Alive makes roads into activity space May 23 | accessAtlanta". Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  13. 1 2 "Atlanta Streets Alive announces first dates, routes of 2025". Urbanize Atlanta. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  14. 1 2 "Atlanta Streets Alive to kick off 2026 festivities with new route". Urbanize Atlanta. 17 March 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "New Route for Atlanta Streets Alive on MLK Drive". Rough Draft Atlanta. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "What is the Mobile Social? - the Mobile Social". Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  17. ↑ "Bike Commuter Guide - Commuting by bike in Atlanta". Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. Archived from the original on 2020-02-02. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  18. ↑ Tarr, Delaney (29 October 2025). "Where Atlanta City Council District 2 and 7 candidates stand on transit". SaportaReport. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
  19. ↑ Lannaman, Mark (17 February 2023). "Atlanta City Council moves to approve downtown street resurfacing". SaportaReport. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
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