Atlanta Bicycle Coalition shut down streets to cars in the Historic West End on Easter Sunday, filling them with pedestrians, bikes and a variety of free cultural and physical activities as part of its Atlanta Streets Alive series. The event was purposed to transform the way local residents view streets, and to encourage local residents to slow down to take in all that the communities have to offer and show.
Atlanta Streets Alive is designed to encourage active, healthy living and the celebration of vibrant people-oriented streets, by taking cars out of the equation for the afternoon.
“Atlanta has all of the tools to become a top city for cycling,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “It’s through events like Atlanta Streets Alive that we are able to envision our city’s potential to embrace active modes of transportation.
“Activating streets into vibrant public spaces in under-appreciated gems like the historic West End is what this project is all about” said Rebecca Serna, executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition. “
This event had no outside vendors selling their wares or funnel cakes; rather, businesses and organizations along the route were invited to create an activity and join in the fun. The West End is home to many unique cultural institutions, like The Wren’s Nest, Hammonds House, Shrine of the Black Madonna, the West End Performing Arts Center, and Tassili Raw Reality Café.
This event also included renowned artists like Kebbi Williams, showcased its five community gardens, and highlighted that is has more vegetarian and vegan restaurants per capita than any other Atlanta neighborhood. In addition, participants could see firsthand the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail corridor currently being designed, with plans to begin construction later this year.
