As we have mentioned before, the excitement about Tour de Georgia returning to the coast is all around. It has not been to Savannah since 2003, and the race connects far east and west Chatham County for a spectacle of international professional riders.
This is an opportunity for our local leaders to take action. Much of the route, in particular along the Tybee Road (US 80) is a designated Georgia bike route, though the shoulders include wide rumble strips which make them unridable. The Bull River and Lazaretto Creek Bridges are narrow and have no bicycle facilities. Yet, this scenic stretch of road is still one frequented by serious cyclists from all over the region, and in fact marks the beginning or ending point for many east-west transcontinental rides. Tour de Georgia’s Ride for Research will include this stretch on Sunday, April 20, and will surely demonstrate the hazards cyclists face when riding here.
Let us all take this opportunity to encourage our local, state, and national elected officials to end the delay and make a safe bicycle corridor from Savannah to Tybee a reality. Tybee is in full support of this idea, as we are all aware of the immense potential of cycling tourism for our local economy. We should all echo what Tybee Mayor Jason Buelterman notes on the Tour de Georgia website (emphasis is mine):
We are extremely excited that Tour De Georgia officials have selected Tybee Island as the venue for the start of this year’s highly acclaimed bicycle race. The event will bring a great deal of international recognition to Tybee and will additionally provide a major boost to our tourist-driven economy at a time of year when it is most needed. We also hope the event will bring to light the need for State and Local officials to make plans for improving road conditions for the safety of the thousands of cyclists who ride along the Tybee Road from Bull River to the Lazaretto Creek Bridge.
Posted on March 31st, 2008 by Drew Wade
Filed under: Chatham County, Get Involved, Latest News | No Comments »
Please join us in your support for Safe Kids Savannah.
Safe Kids Georgia is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. We are one of more than 300 grassroots coalitions and 600 chapters in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 16 member countries. The coalitions bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect
families. We know our efforts are needed because as many as 90 percent of accidental injuries can be prevented.
Safe Kids Savannah is currently conducting a fundraiser selling Plushland stuffed animals. All money and orders need to be collected by 5pm on April 8. We hope to have all items in by the end of April in time for Safe Kids Week, Mother’s Day, Graduations and Father’s Day!
We hope that everyone will support Safe Kids Savannah’s current fundraiser. For more information contact Alison Gramza at amgramza [at] dhr [dot] state [dot] ga [dot] us.
We should note that Safe Kids is also interested in promoting Safe Routes to School, which we at the Greenway are fully on board with. In fact, we understand from Georgia DOT bike and pedestrian coordinator Amy Goodwin that a new Safe Routes to School coordinator for Georgia DOT has been hired, and a new website for starting Safe Routes to School programs should be available soon.
Posted on March 27th, 2008 by Drew Wade
Filed under: Latest News | No Comments »
We have been convening meetings and inviting motivated people to join us, and are looking for more. The goal is a 4 day, 4 night trip to ride the trails of Northeast Florida taken by leaders in Savannah and Coastal Georgia to learn more about advancing trails development. The Savannah-Northeast Florida Workshop on Wheels (SNF-WOW) will take place January 14-18, 2009. Organizers include Florida’s St. Johns River Alliance, the First Coast Trails Coalition, and the East Coast Greenway Alliance. All-inclusive cost for attendees will be kept at about $400 thanks to significant underwriting by a host committee.
This event aims to quicken the development of trails for every good purpose in Savannah/Chatham counties as well as in the Florida counties that focus the event. Particular dynamics of the workshop – SNF-WOW! – combine the fun of the ride with the learning that takes place and with the media attention the workshop warrants. In 1979, a similar workshop in Florida led to formation of the Florida bicycling movement, the gubernatorial appointment of Dan Burden to FDOT, a changed transportation culture that for the first time accommodated bikes on the road, and in five years led Florida to national leadership in bicycling program management; today, to leadership in national trails. Timely commitment, relatively few dollars and select leadership can equally influence Georgia’s trails future. SNF-WOW represents a pivotal moment.
Our next meeting regarding SNF-WOW will take place March 28 at Moon River Brewing Company on Bay Street in Savannah, 5:30-7:30pm. RSVP to Jo Claire Hickson, johickson { at } comcast { dot } net, if you plan to attend.
Posted on March 7th, 2008 by Drew Wade
Filed under: Chatham County, Get Involved, Latest News | 1 Comment »
Savannah Development and Renewal Authority is promoting a Multi-Modal Transit Dump the Pump Day on Friday, April 18 in Savannah. The purpose of the event is to encourage downtown employees to commute to work using alternative modes of transportation — cycling, walking, transit, skateboards, scooters, carpooling, etc.
We support their efforts, and hope that Savannahians will come out in force in walking shoes, on bikes, CAT, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades Friday April 18. Incidentally, this is the day before the Earth Day Festival and the Inaugural Savannah Wheelie on Saturday April 19.
Posted on March 5th, 2008 by Drew Wade
Filed under: Chatham County, Latest News | No Comments »
| March 11, 2008 |
| 8:00 am | to | 10:00 am |
Mayors and concerned citizens pushing for better bike facilities are coming out on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 to ride to the state capital as part of the third annual Georgia Rides to the Capitol. The event is sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA), and we have at least one Coastal Georgia Greenway supporter who will be in attendance.
Decatur Mayor Floyd with Roswell Mayor Wood, State Representative Oliver, and Atlanta Mayor Franklin at the 2007 event.
W H Y
In order to raise support for the development of a regional-scale bicycle network of both on-road facilities and multi-use-trails, and a pedestrian network focused around major transit facilities and activity centers and near schools.
MAMA also intends to raise awareness of the benefits of bicycling as an important form of transportation; a beneficial economic development and tourism tool; an excellent way to maintain health and fitness; and a great sport and family activity.
We could not agree more. If you are interested in participating, or are interested in recruiting your local elected officials in participating in a symbolic ride, please contact us.
Posted on January 21st, 2008 by Drew Wade
Filed under: Events, Latest News | No Comments »
