2011 Georgia Rides to the Capitol - Tues. March 22

[Benny]

http://www.georgiabikes.org/index.php/events/grttc?view=Events

During the sixth annual "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event, cyclists will embark on rides to the state Capitol in order to raise support for improved conditions for cycling, including the development of regional systems of both on-road bicycling facilities and multi-use-trails.

[Benny]

I will be going to Atlanta to join in this ride/call for support. I'll be meeting up with the BRAG group in Stone Mountain and riding with them to connect with the Decatur route.
http://georgiaridestothecapitol.org/routes.php

It looks like we will have great weather and so hopefully a big turnout to show our elected officials that we want and need their support in making Georgia better and safer for cyclists. We won't get the Three Foot Safe Passing bill passed in this session, but the Better Bicycling bill did make the crossover from the House and will need to be passed by the Senate.

Please write, email or call Johnny Grant and ask him to step outside while we are there and take note of our requests.

Senator Johnny Grant
johnny.grant@senate.ga.gov
Capitol Office
110-A State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 656-0082
Fax: (404) 463-2279

[Benny]

I just learned that the "Better Bicycling Bill", HB 101 which was recently passed by the House will be reviewed by the Senate Public Safety Committee, which Johnny Grant chairs, on the same day we are riding to the Capitol. I have emailed Mr. Grant inviting him to meet me at the Capitol steps to listen to the speeches.

[Benny]

Call and ask Senator Grant to step outside and see us today at noon.

Senator Johnny Grant
johnny.grant@senate.ga.gov
Capitol Office
110-A State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 656-0082

[Benny]

I don't know if Mr. Grant came out to see the assembled riders or not. I did call his office this morning and his aid told me that he was scheduled to be in conference, but that he would see. But he did tell me that the Better Bicycling bill was approved this morning by the Senate Public Safety Committee. :D

I drove up to Stone Mountain this morning to ride in to the Capitol via Decatur with a group from the BRAG organization. We rode much of the way in on bike paths, some nice, some a bit hard to navigate. We met up with one of the two main starting points at the East Lake MARTA station in Decatur and rode in with several hundred cyclists and dignitaries with a police escort. Once in Atlanta, we met up with the other large group of riders coming in from Roswell. As always, it was an incredible sight to see so many cyclists on the road at once. The fantastic Spring weather made for a good turnout. I heard reports as high as 2000, but I think that was a bit high.

At the Capitol we got refueled and hydrated at the rest stop set up by the MS society and we listened to speeches by cycling advocates, a few area Mayors, the Governor, the Sec. of Transportation and others.

I saw several friends from BRAG, other rides and advocacy meetings on the road or at the Capitol. It was an inspiring day and a very different riding environment than what I am used to out here in the sticks where I live. By the time I finished the 35 mile round trip ride and the 180 mile round trip drive, I was pretty much spent. :p

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/sets/72157626204273729/show/

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5551765036_389ccb2773.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551765036/)
DSCF0838 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551765036/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5551768024_4e1ae1fdd0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551768024/)
DSCF0863 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551768024/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5551772400_ce7e29dea0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551772400/)
DSCF0895 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551772400/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5551189227_7d2b885de2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551189227/)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5551775946_f2019417fe.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551775946/)
DSCF0921 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551775946/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5551192049_544eb0e16c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551192049/)
DSCF0922 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5551192049/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr