This month’s Cycle Social to be held on Tybee Island Nov. 17, following GDOT bridge replacement meeting

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This may be the first and last time we say this, but we encourage you to drive to our monthly Cycle Social. That’s because it’s on Tybee and the bridges and road to the island are unsafe for people on bikes.

Want to change that? Please attend the Georgia Department of Transportation’s public meeting on the replacement of the U.S. 80 bridges at Lazaretto Creek and Bull River, from 4-6 p.m. on Nov. 17 at Tybee Island City Hall. (Then join us for the Cycle Social after).

We need citizens to come to this meeting and express support for barrier separated bike facilities on the new bridges (not just bikeable shoulders) with connections to the McQueen’s Island Trail and other improvements that will allow people to reach the beach (safely) by bike.

After the GDOT meeting, we’ll adjourn to Tybee Island Social Club for our monthly social. We will be joined by Bill Nesper, vice president for programs at the League of American Bicyclists. Bill directs the Bicycle Friendly America℠ program with a particular focus on growing the program as a tool for new communities, businesses and universities. Bill first joined the League in 2002 and has worked in membership and managed the education programs before taking on the BFA program.

Let us know you’re coming by joining the Facebook event.

Free valet parking for bikes available at Nov. 9 Mountainfilm screening

Fire-on-the-MountainOur friends at Telluride Mountainfilm on Tour Savannah are hosting a screening of Fire on the Mountain at Service Brewing on Nov. 9. The documentary film tells the story of the heroic members of U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War II. A beer tasting begins at 6 p.m. and film starts at 7 p.m.

We are offering our famous valet parking service for bicycles at the event. Ride your bike to the brewery and enjoy the movie, knowing your bicycle is safe and secure with us!

More information is available on the Mountainfilm Savannah Facebook page.

Would you like to volunteer to staff the bike valet? Select a shift and sign up today!

Nov. 12 Victory Drive Corridor Study meeting will provide update on “West End Victory”

Screen Shot 2015-10-27 at 4.14.06 PMThe public is invited to a “West End Victory” Community Update on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m.,  at A.E. Beach High School Cafeteria (3001 Hopkins St). The purpose of this event is to provide stakeholders an update of the progress made to date. A short update presentation will be followed by the opportunity for feedback and small group discussions.

In August the second phase of the Victory Drive Corridor Study began, concentrating on an approximate 0.8-mile focus area of the corridor between Ogeechee Road and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, referred to here as “West End Victory.”

The Victory Drive Corridor Study is a multi-phase planning study that aims to preserve, revitalize and maintain Victory Drive’s historic commemorative landscape and prominence as a signature boulevard. Through a public-private collaboration, this study seeks to develop an implementable plan incorporating context sensitive solutions to balance the transportation and land use demands of a contemporary street.

For more information visit the Corridor Study page on the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization website.

Second Coastal Georgia Greenway Joint Study Committee meeting set for Nov. 4

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The next meeting of the Joint House-Senate Coastal Greenway Study Committee has been scheduled for Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Coastal Regional Commission office at 1181 Coastal Drive SW, in Darien. The public is invited to attend and provide input on the greenway.
The committee is charged with studying the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to Coastal Georgia Greenway construction and to recommend any action or legislation, which the committee deems necessary or appropriate to be presented for action by the Georgia Legislature in 2016.
Read about the committee’s first meeting, held in Richmond Hill in September, in Connect Savannah: Greenway deserves the green light.

Public invited to provide input on proposed replacements for US Highway 80 bridges, Nov. 17

Screen Shot 2015-10-27 at 3.33.00 PMThe public is invited to view design proposed replacements of the existing Lazaretto Creek and Bull River bridges and provide feedback on Nov. 17, from 4-6 p.m. at Tybee Island City Hall. The event is hosted by the Georgia Department of Transportation and is informal in structure, meaning anyone interested can drop by at any time between 4 and 6 p.m.

The roadway is the only connection between Tybee Island and the mainland. US 80 is designated as a hurricane evacuation route on the Georgia Hurricane Plan, as well as a future bikeway in the Coastal Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Long Range Plan. From a memo announcing the meeting:

The proposed project would replace the bridges at Lazaretto Creek and Bull River with a two-lane bridge that includes bike and pedestrian improvements. Additionally, it would improve the roadway from Johnny Mercer Boulevard to Old US 80 on Tybee with paved shoulders and turn lanes. These changes have been determined to to accomplish the purpose of this project, which is to ensure the integrity of the US 80 bridges and improve travel between Savannah and Tybee Island.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide the pubic with an opportunity to view the proposed project, ask questions and comment on the project.

Written comments may be submitted until Dec. 1 to:

Andrew Cobb
Transportation Environmental Planner
Office of Environmental Services
Georgia Department of Transportation
600 W. Peachtree St., 25th Floor
Fax: 404-631-1588
Email: acobb@dot.ga.gov

For more information, visit the GDOT project page. You can also download information distributed at the meeting: PI 10560 GDOT US 80 PIOH handouts 11-17-15

Help feed the hungry on Nov. 21 with the Third Annual Savannah Cranksgiving

Cranksgiving_eventphotoOur third annual Savannah Cranksgiving Ride is coming up on Saturday, Nov. 21. stating at 1 p.m. Cranksgiving is half bike ride, half food drive and a 100 percent fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon helping others.

The Savannah Bicycle Campaign (and you!) will be helping feed hungry people at Emmaus House. Founded in 1982 by a group of downtown churches, Emmaus House provides food and day services to the homeless and needy of Savannah. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, fifty weeks each year.

Registration for the ride starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at SBC HQ (Corner of Henry and Lincoln streets). At registration, participants will receive a shopping list of items needed by Emmaus House. The challenge begins at 1:30 p.m. when riders roll out to shop by bike. Participants should pick up items from the shopping list without going over $15-20 price limit. This is not a race! Riders may compete by themselves or on teams. Prize packages including items generously donated by Scott,  The Bicycle Link, and other sponsors will be awarded in the following categories:

  • Most Items Carried by a Single Person
  • Most Stores Visited (receipts needed from each store)
  • Best Team Effort
  • Most Innovative Cargo Rig

All participants must return to 1301 A Lincoln St. by 4 p.m. to tally up their purchases and enjoy food and beverages.

What should you bring? First of all, you’ll need your bike and $15-20.  We also suggest a helmet. If you’re planning on carrying groceries, you should bring a backpack or other cargo solution for your bike. Register as a solo competitor or form your team today!

Have questions? Want to get involved? send us an email!

Bring your reusable bags to Lucky’s Market and help New Standard Cycles

lucky's marketLucky’s Market Savannah has chosen SBC as one of its Bags for Change program. When shoppers bring in reusable bags, they receive wooden dimes to give to the organization of their choice. Lucky’s doubles the amount that has been raised at the end of the quarter.

We will used funds raised to buy locks, lights and helmets for recipients of bikes reconditioned by our New Standard Cycles program. Our friends at Blessings in a Bookbag, with whom we partner for New Standard’s annual Holiday Kids Bikes Drive, is also a Bags of Change partner, so bring plenty of bags and support both!

Put some miles on your bike! Join our Oct. 25 BikeCurious Ride

If you’re an experienced commuter or recreational cyclist, but want to get into riding for longer distances, our BikeCurious ride on Sunday, Oct. 25 is for you. The ride leaves from Savannah Bicycle Campaign headquarters (1301 Lincoln St) at 10 a.m. bikecuriousoct

The ride route will include Hunter Army Airfield and other areas on the Southside, and is designed to allow participants to explore the city by bike. The total distance will be approximately 30 miles and the average speed around 15 – 17 m.p.h.

Because of the distance and pace of this ride, helmets are required. In addition, it is strongly recommended that participants use a road bike and bring water, equipment to change a tire, cash and valid ID (required to enter Hunter AAF gate). Let us know you’re riding by joining the Facebook event or R.S.V.P. by sending email to info@bicyclecampaign.org

Ride your bike to the Food Day Festival on Oct. 24 and use our free bicycle valet

 

food_fest_2013_geoffs_0031We are excited to offer free valet parking for bicycles again this year at the Savannah Food Day Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Daffin Park. Take in all the Food Day fun including live music, exhibitors and, of course, food! We’ll watch your bike while you enjoy the festivities.

We are  seeking volunteers to staff the bike valet. The first two people to volunteer will receive passes that allow access to the exclusive VIP tent. Sign up to volunteer.

Practical people pedal to Picnic in the Park

bikevalettodayThe annual Picnic in the Park concert will draw thousands of people to Forsyth Park on Sunday, Oct. 4 to hear the Savannah Philharmonic and other musical performers. Many people will drive, creating traffic headaches and demand for parking that far outstrips supply. But you know a better way to go, right? Right!

You’ll ride your bike to Picnic in the Park and leave your wheels at our bicycle valet parking service. It’s totally free  — small donations are appreciated, but definitely not required — and easy. You won’t have to walk your bike through the crowd or find a place to lock it. You can rest easy and enjoy the show knowing your bike is safe and secure.

If you’re interested in volunteering, we’d love to have you. We’ll have a pretty good view of the stage from our location near the Drayton Street sidewalk.

We look forward to seeing you and your bike on Sunday. Don’t forget to bring your lights for the ride home!