National Pedestrian Safety Month

Written By Rachel Hollar

Blog by Parneeta Mohapatra, Bike Walk Macon Fall 2021 Intern

October is National pedestrian safety month!

Everyone is a pedestrian. Whether you walk to get to work or walk from the parking lot to the store, once you leave your car you are a pedestrian. About 6 in 10 people walk for transportation, exercise, relaxation, or for other activities. 

However, nationwide pedestrian deaths rose 46 percent between 2010 and 2019. There were 273 pedestrian deaths in Georgia in 2020. In addition, a pedestrian was killed every 85 minutes and injured every 7 minutes in all of the United States in 2019.

Bike Walk Macon is proud to partner with the Macon-Bibb County Pedestrian Safety Review Board this month to make Macon’s streets a safer place for you to walk, regardless of when or how long! 

So how can you stay safe this October?

If you’re a driver…

  • Keep a lookout for people walking or biking on the streets! 

  • Slow down in residential areas.

  • Yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk.

  • Follow the speed limits!

  • Be cautious while parking and backing up.

If you’re a pedestrian…

  • Make sure you walk on crosswalks or intersections when crossing the street!

  • Be visible. If it’s dark out, try to wear brighter colors. 

  • Don’t run into the path of a vehicle, especially if the intersection is a green light. 

  • Be careful!

Be sure to check out these upcoming events hosted by Macon-Bibb’s Pedestrian Safety Review Board! Find more info about each event on their Facebook page.

Upcoming Bike Walk Macon Events:

Featured
Trek FX Stepover Bicycle Raffle!
Jan 28
Trek FX Stepover Bicycle Raffle!

We’re excited to offer another bike raffle as part of Streets for All Fest- a brand-new Trek FX Stepover Gen 4 bicycle with custom Thomson upgrades, generously donated by our friends at Bike Thomson.Every raffle ticket helps us keep pushing for safer, more bikeable, and more walkable streets in Macon. 

BUY RAFFLE TICKETS

“Biking, But Make It Fashion” Ride & Party
Mar 5
“Biking, But Make It Fashion” Ride & Party

This isn’t your average group ride - it’s all about style, creativity, and riding in your most fabulous fit.

Dress up, dress loud, or dress completely unexpected - if it makes you feel good, it works. We’ll roll together at a relaxed pace, turn the city into our runway, serve looks while taking lanes, and celebrate biking as a form of self-expression. All bikes, all styles, all vibes welcome.

Pure Barre in the Park
Mar 6
Pure Barre in the Park

This isn’t your average group ride - it’s all about style, creativity, and riding in your most fabulous fit.

Dress up, dress loud, or dress completely unexpected - if it makes you feel good, it works. We’ll roll together at a relaxed pace, turn the city into our runway, serve looks while taking lanes, and celebrate biking as a form of self-expression. All bikes, all styles, all vibes welcome.

Historic Architecture Photo Tour
Mar 6
Historic Architecture Photo Tour

Join Historic Macon and DSTO Moore Photography on a walking tour around Downtown Macon. Explore the history behind some of downtown’s most iconic buildings and learn the terminology for visually interesting architectural elements like fanlights, oriel windows, and rosettes. Along the way, discover Macon’s pocket parks and unique urban spaces that add value to our Civic Commons.

DSTO Moore will also share tips and techniques for photographing these beautiful structures, helping you capture their character and detail.

Art After Dark Glow Roll
Mar 6
Art After Dark Glow Roll

Neon up and roll out! Join us for a glowing nighttime bike ride through Downtown as part of Fall Line Brewing Co.’s Art After Dark Festival.

Crank to Coffee: Rise & Grind Special
Mar 7
Crank to Coffee: Rise & Grind Special

To celebrate Bike Walk Macon's Streets for All Fest, Bike Tech will be mixing up our regular Crank to Coffee ride. Get an extra shot of espresso because this one will be a doozy. We are going to be hitting some of the toughest climbs in Macon, knocking off a few of the infamous "Dirty Dozen" hills.

Walk with a Doc at Amerson River Park
Mar 7
Walk with a Doc at Amerson River Park

Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from an Atrium Health healthcare provider, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation.

Morning Coffee & Murals Walk
Mar 7
Morning Coffee & Murals Walk

Grab a coffee and take a casual stroll through downtown Macon with Visit Macon. This laid-back, meetup-style walk invites participants to explore local murals, public art, and creative spaces while enjoying good conversation and an easy pace.

Ocmulgee Heritage Trail: Behind the Scenes Ride + Walk
Mar 7
Ocmulgee Heritage Trail: Behind the Scenes Ride + Walk

This is an exclusive paid activity - you must register to participate.

Bring your bike for a behind-the-scenes look at the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail with Bill Causey, retired Macon-Bibb County engineer, NewTown Macon consultant, and trail expert. You’ll ride through the newest sections of the trail and hear firsthand stories about how it was built, the challenges along the way, and what’s coming next.

Historic Vineville Mardi Gras Pet PAWrade
Mar 7
Historic Vineville Mardi Gras Pet PAWrade

Join the Vineville Neighborhood Association for a DOG-gone good time at the Mardi PAWs Pet PAWrade! People and pets of all ages are invited to dress up in beads, masks, and Mardi Gras colors and show off their pets’ personalities during a festive neighborhood stroll.

Parks & Plazas Ride with Reimagining the Civic Commons
Mar 7
Parks & Plazas Ride with Reimagining the Civic Commons

Ride with us from Rosa Parks Square to East Macon’s Bicentennial Park and back to Longleaf Distilling Co. for the Streets for All Fest Happy Hour.

We’ll stop at new and upcoming public spaces and hear from Weston Stroud, Macon-Bibb County Traffic Safety Manager, and Margaret Peth with the Urban Development Authority about how and why Macon-Bibb County and the Reimagining the Civic Commons committee are leading these projects.

Streets for All Fest Happy Hour
Mar 7
Streets for All Fest Happy Hour

Wrap up Streets for All Fest with a relaxed happy hour at Longleaf Distilling Co. on March 7 from 5–7 PM. This is a casual chance to grab a drink, connect with neighbors, and learn more about recent updates to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and other public space projects happening around Macon.

Open Streets Macon: Houston Avenue
May 3
Open Streets Macon: Houston Avenue

Open Streets Macon is back on Houston Avenue!

Come join us on Sunday, May 3, from 2 PM to 5 PM, where Houston Avenue will transform into a vibrant community space from Newberg Avenue to Rocky Creek Road. The street will be closed to motorized traffic, except at intersections where cars can cross. No registration is required, and Open Streets Macon is completely FREE and open to everyone.

Open Streets Macon: Bike Parade
May 3
Open Streets Macon: Bike Parade

Kick Off Open Streets Macon: Pleasant Hill to Beall's Hill with a bike parade led by Ocmulgee Mountain Bike Association (OMBA)!

Riders of all ages and skill levels are welcome to roll and enjoy the streets opened for people - not cars. No registration needed, and it’s totally free! After the parade, stick around for music, games, and activities along the route!

Rachel Hollar
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