MEDIA ADVISORY

Atlanta Bicycle Coalition announces 2017 ‘ Streets Alive’ routes, including new route along & Howell Mill Road

-- Building on 2016 successes: ‘Atlanta Streets Alive drew more than 370,000 Atlantans and earned ‘Best Of’ awards from Atlanta Magazine, Creative Loafing last year --

ATLANTA (Jan. 26, 2017) – Since 2010, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (ABC) has been helping empower Atlantans to create healthier, more livable communities. ABC’s “Atlanta Streets Alive” initiative opens streets up for people by temporarily closing them to cars, allowing residents to experience firsthand what city neighborhoods are like when you take cars out of the equation for an afternoon – and fill them with people on bike, foot and non-motorized wheels.

Now in its eighth year, “Atlanta Streets Alive” has become a model for open-streets in other cities. Over the last few years, the initiative has gained backing from the City of Atlanta and other community groups that realize its positive economic and social impact on neighborhoods.

In 2017, for the first time ever, ABC will host an “Atlanta Streets Alive” route along Marietta Street & Howell Mill (bringing free, family-friendly fun to six neighborhoods along the route.) Also, “Atlanta Streets Alive” will return to its Southside and Central routes this year.

Southside Route | 2-6 p.m., Sunday, April 23, 2017 2-6 pm | 3.8 miles Expansion of the Historic West End route connecting seven Atlanta neighborhoods via Ralph David Abernathy Blvd and Ave. Neighborhoods include: Westview, West End, , Pittsburgh, Mechanicsville, Summerhill, and Grant Park.

Westside Route | 4-8 p.m., Sunday, June 11, 2017 | 2.7 miles Introducing a brand new route via Marietta Street and Howell Mill Road, during the Atlanta Cycling Festival. Neighborhoods include Downtown, , English Avenue, , Home Park, , and .

Central Route | Sunday, September 24, 2017 2-6 pm | 2.5 miles Celebrating Atlanta’s signature Peachtree Street, from Downtown, the heart of the city, to Midtown, which was selected as one of the top five neighborhoods in the country by the American Planning Association.

For each “Atlanta Streets Alive” route, ABC closes miles of Atlanta streets to cars, and opens them for people to enjoy free family-friendly activities, from live music to sports to dancing to how-to demonstrations. Residents in each community are invited to host a free activity of their choosing to show off their neighborhood’s personality and offerings. ABC is inviting all local businesses and community organizations to get involved. Businesses along the route can extend onto the sidewalk by setting up cafe tables or displays. Any organization or group can host one of the many free activities along the route as an “Activity Partner.” For more information about these partnerships and sponsorships, visit www.atlantastreetsalive.com/business.

For more information about the 2017 routes, visit www.atlantastreetsalive.com/dates.

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Media Contact: Angela D’Amario, 770-310-1152, [email protected]