Go West!

Atlanta Streets Alive debuts new route on Westside

By Grace Huseth

The first Atlanta Streets Alive route on the Westside broke a record with 110,000 people participating in four miles of openstreet extending down Howell Mill Road to Marietta Street.

“We were thrilled that this new route saw such high levels of interest, which we believe shows public support for the movement to make Howell Mill Road and Marietta Street more people-friendly,” said Rebecca Serna, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, which hosts Atlanta Streets Alive.

Along with closing the street to vehicles and opening it for walkers, cyclists and skaters, the event also featured fun activities for all ages and local businesses and restaurants opened their doors to welcome the foot traffic. There was also a wedding held during the event and REI set up a pump track and bike cleaning station on the route.

The city will soon turn its attention to bike safety on the Westside, Serna said.

“Marietta and Howell Mill are in the city’s Cycle Atlanta Plan and are slated for bike lanes and other safety improvements through the Renew Atlanta bond program,” she commented.

The area surrounding the Atlanta City Water Works was especially striking to Serna. “I could really take the time to appreciate its beauty without fear of traffic.”

The next Atlanta Streets Alive is set for Sept. 24 from 2 to 6 p.m. on Peachtree Street from Downtown to Midtown. For more information, visit atlantastreetsalive. com.