Ride Into National Bike Month

May 9, 2024

May is National Bike Month, and the spring weather makes it a perfect time to explore options for cycling on and near campus. Georgia Tech has been designated a Gold level Bicycle Friendly University and there’s no shortage of amenities for those who want to enjoy a ride. 

May 13 – 19 is Bike to Work Week. For Tech employees, switching to a bike or other alternative mode of transportation can be lucrative — cash incentives are offered through Georgia Commute Options. 

Whether you’re a student or an employee, if you’re new to biking on campus, you’re joining a culture of bike enthusiasts. In October, Georgia Tech placed first in the annual Biketober competition.

If You’re New: 

• Georgia Tech has more than 4,000 bike parking spaces, including two secure parking areas in the Dalney Building and Tech Square Hotel deck. 

• All campus cyclists are encouraged to register their bikes with the Georgia Tech Police Department, which can help with locating bikes in the event of theft. (Scooter owners can also register their scooters through the same system.) 

• Parking and Transportation Services offers a virtual bike/scooter safety class covering tips for bike care and rules of the road. Those who complete the class get a free helmet. 

Happening This Month: 

• Log your rides and compete for prizes with the Love to Ride Bike Month Challenge, May 5 – 19.  

• The Atlanta Cycling Festival includes events and rides around the city from May 11 to 18. 

• The Midtown Alliance is hosting a Bike to Work Day breakfast in Piedmont Park on Monday, May 13. 

• Atlantic Station will host a free bike tune-up event on Wednesday, May 15, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the fix-it station near Stairwell 14 of the parking garage.

• Georgia Tech Parking and Transportation Services and Propel ATL will host an in-person bike class this month on May 29 at 4 p.m. The ride begins behind the Campus Recreation Center. RSVP and bring a helmet. 

Recent Infrastructure Improvements: 

• Georgia Tech has nearly 2.5 miles of active construction for new bicycle infrastructure on campus.

• The Ferst Drive Realignment and Cycle Track project provides new bicycle infrastructure and safety improvements. Phase 1 of the cycle track installation is active along Ferst Drive near the CRC field to Atlantic Drive. Phase 2 is also underway and will include the installation of the cycle track from Atlantic Drive through Fowler Street. Phase 3 will start in June and will realign Ferst Drive at Regents Drive, which will eliminate the traffic signal and enable connectivity to the future planned bicycle infrastructure southwest of campus. The entire project is slated for completion by early 2025.

• East Campus Streetscape Improvements include renovation of sidewalks and roadways to improve pedestrian and micromobility (lightweight, single-person vehicles such as bicycles, scooters, and skateboards) access. Improvements to sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and lighting will align with paving, new curbing, and reconfigured access to Peters Parking Deck for alternative-mode routes. Phase 1, addressing Fourth Street, Brittain Drive, and areas adjacent to Peters, is complete. Phase 2a is also complete, encompassing the area near the Third Street tunnel and adjacent sections of Techwood Drive.

• A Fifth Street Cycle Track is being installed along the north side of Fifth Street in collaboration with the Midtown Alliance. A new traffic signal is being installed at Williams Street, which will provide a dedicated crossing for cyclists to the south side of Fifth, connecting to the Ferst Drive Cycle Track.

• Work at the corner of 10th Street and Northside Drive is nearly complete, providing a multi-use path connection to Hemphill Avenue.

• Follow campus construction plans and progress at facilities.gatech.edu/exterior-projects.