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
Walk With a Doc: Atrium Health
May 2
Walk With a Doc: Atrium Health

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.

Crank to Coffee
May 2
Crank to Coffee

Join Bike Tech Macon each Saturday Morning (weather dependent) for a casual, fun bike ride exploring Downtown 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!

National Bike and Roll to School Day
May 6
National Bike and Roll to School Day

Celebrate the joy of active commuting while building a sense of community and school spirit. The event brings attention to the importance of creating safe routes to school. For more information on how to get involved, check out www.walkbiketoschool.org.

Crank to Coffee
May 9
Crank to Coffee

Join Bike Tech Macon each Saturday Morning (weather dependent) for a casual, fun bike ride exploring Downtown Macon.

Macon Mural Cruise
May 14
Macon Mural Cruise

Grab your bike and join us for the Macon Mural Cruise on Thursday, May 14. We’ll ride through the city, stop by some of Macon’s best murals and creative spots, and soak up an evening full of color, music, and good vibes.

Crank to Coffee
May 16
Crank to Coffee

Join Bike Tech Macon each Saturday Morning (weather dependent) for a casual, fun bike ride exploring Downtown Macon.

Ride Ready: Family Bike Basics
May 16
Ride Ready: Family Bike Basics

Ready to help your family feel confident riding bikes together? Join Bike Walk Macon at Amerson River Park for a free Family Ride Ready class designed for kids who already know how to ride a bike and are ready to practice in a safe, real-world environment.

Public Spaces Walk with Margaret Peth, UDA
May 19
Public Spaces Walk with Margaret Peth, UDA

Walk with us through Downtown as we check out some of Macon’s newest and upcoming public spaces. Along the way, Margaret Peth with the Urban Development Authority and Reimaging the Civic Commons will share the vision behind these projects and highlight the pedestrian and bike improvements helping create a more connected Macon.

Crank to Coffee
May 23
Crank to Coffee

Join Bike Tech Macon each Saturday Morning (weather dependent) for a casual, fun bike ride exploring Downtown Macon.

Car Free Day + Meetups
May 29
Car Free Day + Meetups

Join the movement to go car-free in Macon on May 29th. Whether you're on your way to work, school, the park, or to run errands, Car Free Day is a chance to see all the benefits of active transportation.

Crank to Coffee
May 30
Crank to Coffee

Join Bike Tech Macon each Saturday Morning (weather dependent) for a casual, fun bike ride exploring Downtown Macon.

Honky Tonk Slow Roll
Jun 11
Honky Tonk Slow Roll

Bikes and cows - what more could you want? Saddle up for a relaxed ride through downtown and beyond on Thursday, June 11, for our Honky Tonk Slow Roll! We’re taking the scenic route through the industrial side of town, where wide open spaces await.

We're curating a honky tonk playlist guaranteed to keep the good vibes rolling. So get ready for a ride that’s part city, part country, and 100% good time.

Rachel Hollar
Previous

Thanks for Reimagining Boulevard and Napier AVE. with us!
Next

REQUEST A BIKE RACK AT YOUR LOCATION!