'Atlanta Streets Alive' on Peachtree Street on Sunday

By Susan Micek

On Sunday, May 18, the city of Atlanta will close miles of Peachtree Street to cars so that Atlanta Bicycle Coalition can host its popular “Atlanta Streets Alive” event. 

The 3.1-mile section of Peachtree Street between MLK Drive in Downtown and 17th Street in Midtown will come alive from 2-6 p.m. that day with bicyclists, pedestrians and numerous cultural and physical activities.

This event follows April’s Atlanta Streets Alive event in the Historic West End, with more than 16,000 attendees.

Atlanta Streets Alive (Atlanta Bicycle Coalition’s open-streets initiative since 2009) is designed to encourage active, healthy living and celebrate vibrant people-oriented streets by taking cars out of the equation for the afternoon.

Many local community groups and businesses have planned a variety of activities during the day, including:  

· A bike parade that kicks off at 2 p.m.

· Pop-up Parks by Park Pride Atlanta

· Numerous musical acts, including the Song of Atlanta Show Chorus, which will offer free singing lessons in a cappella-barbershop style

· Fun for bikers, including “Pimp my Bike” decorating, and a Bike Wash & Rodeo

· “Create Your Own Atlanta Public Transit Map” game

· Physical fun, including rock-climbing walls, street-hockey games and more

· Dancers and other performers, including several circus acts

· Free admission into High Museum from noon to 5 p.m., courtesy of the Woodruff Arts Center

During the event, bikers can ride through four different types of protected bike lanes to understand the various methods used by bike-friendly cities. 

Sponsors include MailChimp, Ponce City Market, Jamestown, REI, New Belgium, Waterfall Foundation, Creative Loafing, Central Atlanta Progress, Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, Midtown Alliance and Woodruff Arts Center.  For more information, visit www.atlantastreetsalive.com.