Open Streets Macon: Two Routes, Thousands of Neighbors, and a Whole Lot of Joy
Over the past year, Open Streets Macon transformed two Macon corridors into places for walking, biking, rolling, dancing, playing, and connecting. From Pleasant Hill, Tattnall Heights, and Beall’s Hill in fall 2025 to Houston Avenue in spring 2026, these events brought thousands of people into the street to experience what a more people-centered Macon can feel like.
At Bike Walk Macon, we talk a lot about safer streets, better connections, and making active transportation a real option for more people. Open Streets is one of the best examples of that work in action. It gives neighbors a chance to experience their streets differently - not just as places for cars to pass through, but as public spaces that can bring people together.
And over the last two Open Streets events, that’s exactly what happened.
Open Streets Macon: Pleasant Hill to Beall’s Hill
September 28, 2025 | 2–6 PM
In September, Open Streets Macon brought the community together along a 1.4-mile route through Pleasant Hill, Tattnall Heights, and Beall’s Hill, stretching along Monroe Street, Tattnall Street, and Oglethorpe Street. Hosted in partnership with Macon’s Reimagining the Civic Commons Committee, the event welcomed almost 1,750 participants, along with 48 activity partners and more than 60 volunteers. The route was packed with activity from start to finish.
There was no shortage of highlights:
Ocmulgee Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) hosted our largest Bike Parade to date
We refreshed the “Pleasant Hill Proud” mural at Monroe Street and 1st Avenue
Macon Bibb County Fire Department, EMA, and BCSO hosted a Touch-A-Truck
Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority displayed the new Rapid Transit vans
Catapult Movement hosted an aerial rig performance
Macon’s Reimagining the Civic Commons Committee hosted a project updates station where residents could learn more about work happening in Pleasant Hill.
And so many more activations!
What made the day so special wasn’t just the number of activities - it was the feeling of seeing people fully enjoying their streets. Kids riding freely. Neighbors stopping to talk. Community groups sharing resources. It was a reminder that our streets can do so much more than move traffic.
Open Streets Macon: Houston Avenue
May 3, 2026 | 2–5 PM
In May, Open Streets Macon headed back to Houston Avenue, transforming 0.8 miles from Newberg Avenue to Rocky Creek Road into a community space for an afternoon of connection, and celebration. Hosted with Commissioner Paul Bronson, the event brought together 34 activity partners and approximately 1,000 attendees.
The day could not have gone better.
The Southside was full of energy, with neighbors out walking the route, kids playing, and community partners showing up in a big way. Like every Open Streets event, the fun was important - but so was the opportunity to listen.
Throughout the day, Bike Walk Macon collected surveys from residents to share with Macon-Bibb County. Neighbors highlighted the kinds of improvements they want to see in the corridor, including: improved lighting, safer mid-block crossings, and increased police presence.
That kind of feedback is a big part of why Open Streets matters. It creates space not just for celebration, but for conversation. It helps connect community voices to real transportation and public space needs.
And just like the Pleasant Hill route, Houston Avenue showed what can happen when a street becomes a place for people first.
Why Open Streets Matters
For a few hours, the program shows what it can look like when streets are designed for people, not just cars. It creates space for neighbors to connect, kids to play, local groups to share resources, and residents to experience their streets in a different way.
That matters in Macon, where things like transportation access, sidewalks, crossings, lighting, and public spaces all affect how people move through their neighborhoods and how connected they feel to their community.
Open Streets helps bring those ideas to life. It gives people a chance to imagine what could be possible in the long term. It also creates a space for residents to share what they want to see in their neighborhoods and for local leaders and organizations to hear that feedback directly.
At its core, Open Streets is about community. It’s about showing what’s possible when public space is centered around people and using that experience to build momentum for lasting change.
Thank You to the People Who Make Open Streets Happen
Open Streets Macon only happens because a lot of dedicated people say yes to helping, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made these events possible.
Thank you to our Neighborhood Champions: Darlene Carson, John MacNeil, Dsto Moore, and Debra Jackson, our dedicated Open Street planning committee, volunteers, activity partners, business owners, residents, and Macon-Bibb County departments who helped bring both routes to life. From setup and cleanup to activities, performances, outreach, and behind-the-scenes coordination, your support made a huge difference.
We’re especially grateful to Grid Chiropratic for their presenting sponsorship, and to Macon’s Reimagining the Civic Commons Committee, Commissioner Paul Bronson, and Parks and Beautification for their partnership and support in making Open Streets Macon happen.
