Savannah Bicycle Campaign Kicks Off Education Grant at City’s First Ciclovia

Posted: 05/28/2010

Last Saturday, on a road that’s usually traversed by cars, a crowd of eager kids from Savannah, Georgia, gathered to ride bikes and learn strategies to keep them safe on two wheels.

The Kids’ Ciclovia was the first in the city, opening the block around Tiedman Park to bike and pedestrian traffic only. The event was particularly festive thanks to members of the Savannah Bicycle Campaign and Specialized Bikes. Drew Wade, SBC’s former executive director, says the Ciclovia showcased two exciting developments.

“The first was to celebrate the opening of a new 1.6-mile bike lane on Washington Avenue, Savannah’s first in 10 years, and we hope the first of many to come,” Wade says. “The second purpose was to announce new equipment secured by a grant to SBC and the City of Savannah from Specialized Bikes — 10 bikes and 40 helmets, with the accompanying trailer supplied by the city — to be used by our LCIs [League Cycling Instructors] in teaching through schools, civic and neighborhood groups.”

The value of the grant, including the local match, rings up to $7,500, and SBC members are looking forward to using the new 10-foot trailer to take their safety training to kids across the city.

For more on the ciclovia, check out SBC’s blog. Or browse the group’s Flickr page for a gallery of (very cute) photos.