Costumed cyclists to scare up support for Macon advocacy group

Don't be alarmed if you see ghouls and goblins gliding through Macon.

A new bike advocacy group, Bike Macon, will be holding a costumed group ride Friday evening that could lead to community improvements down the road.

Riders are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for the 8-mile trek from Oak Haven Park, which is at the corner of English and Oak Haven avenues near the midtown Kroger.

Cyclists will gather beginning at 5:30 p.m. for the ride that begins at 6 p.m.

People of all ages are welcome to ride through town to 327 Lower Poplar Street for a party at the Macon-Bibb Parks and Beautification Office.

There will be free pizza, live music and a costume contest.

The group will head out in time to return to Oak Haven Park for Vineville Neighborhood Associations's outdoor Family Movie Night featuring "Beetlejuice" at 7:30 p.m.

Those wanting to watch the movie should bring picnics, chairs and blankets. Parking is limited, so neighbors are urged to walk or ride bikes.

Bike Macon's Rachel Hollar said the club is proud to partner with the county and the Vineville neighborhood for the event "to connect citizens from different neighborhoods and introduce them to two unique spaces they may not know exist," Hollar said in a news release.

Macon-Bibb Parks and Beautification director Steve Lawson believes the partnership will raise community awareness about Oak Haven Park, which he believes could be a real asset to the neighborhood, without a lot of investment.

Lawson envisions handicapped exercise stations that could serve the residents of nearby Vineville Christian Towers.

He is also looking for ways to provide safer travel for cyclists through town.

Lawson recently traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, as a guest of the Knight Foundation to study the country's elaborate bike routes.

"They got us up to go to breakfast with 40,000 other bicycles on the road," Lawson said. "It's like nothing I've ever seen."

Bike Macon's goal is to strengthen cycling advocacy in the city.

"We encourage people to be more visible to give us a voice later to support efforts to improve cycling," Hollar said.

They choose routes to introduce people to other attractions off the main roads.

The 8-mile trip should not discourage anyone, as riders are welcome to join the group at any point in the trek.

Maps of the route are expected to be available Thursday online at www.bike macon.org/bikeparty.

To contact writer Liz Fabian, call 744-4303 and follow her on Twitter @liz_lines.

This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 10:26 PM with the headline "Costumed cyclists to scare up support for Macon advocacy group ."