Bike Walk Macon encouraging physical activity, virtually
May is Macon Bike Walk Month, an especially busy month each year for Bike Walk Macon.
The non-profit – Macon-Bibb’s grassroots bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group – goes even further than usual to gather people together to enjoy walking and biking in the city to raise awareness of all things self-powered on two feet and two wheels.
But no – normal is not the norm for anyone this May.
Like others, Bike Walk Macon has had to take to the virtual highway to get people together.
“Every year in May we host free events and programs to encourage biking and walking, hoping to get more to try it,” said Rachel Umana, Bike Walk’s executive director. “Normally, we have several commuter meetups, bike and commuter breakfasts, our Jane’s Walks and quite a few citizen-led walking and biking tours among the things we do to encourage people of all interests and ages to get out and get more comfortable walking and riding. But, of course, this year we can’t do things the same way.”
So Umana said she and the group’s board brainstormed over what they could do and how they could do it.
The answer?
Putting past virtual fare online and coming up with new ideas for people to take part in at www.bikewalkmacon.com and www.facebook.com/bikewalkmaconm.
For instance, Friday, there’s a virtual bicycle gathering on Zoom to discuss how to stay motivated to ride during the coronavirus pandemic.
Among other new events are:
- Virtual Bike Walk Macon, where community members host virtual walks and rides to show off safe places to bike and walk;
- Commuter Conversations Over Coffee, the Friday Zoom meetings where members catch up and newcomers find out about biking and walking topics;
- Bike Match Macon, a program in partnership with Re-Cycle Macon to connect Maconites who need bikes with ones who have extra, ready-to-ride bicycles to donate;
- The My Bike Macon project, an ongoing series of portraits and profiles of people who use bicycles to get around for more than just recreation;
- Blog posts about how and where to safely ride and walk.
Though maybe not quite as much fun, have the efforts paid off?
“We’ve gotten a great response,” Umana said. “Our social media numbers have exploded with interest and engagements. We’ve seen a 67% increase in visits to our website over this time last year. It’s also given rise to a greater focus on the match program because there are people who have lost the ability to carpool or who aren’t comfortable with public transportation who could use bikes. And we all know money is tight.”
So there’s still time in May to virtually take part. Then, as Umana hopes, travel forward with them in person when it becomes safe for rides, Bike Walk’s Open Streets events and other goings-on.
But until then, Umana said people still need to get outside and walk and bike even if it has to be under social distancing rules.
“We’re still encouraging getting out on an individual basis, really now more than ever,” she said. “Biking is great for physical and mental health reasons and we could all probably use a good, positive mental health boost these days. Alone or with family, biking and walking are both great. Just do it safely.”
Though Bike Walk gatherings are off the table, Umana said COVID-19 hasn’t stopped the organization’s work toward making Macon a more vibrant, healthy and equitable city with a strong and safe transportation network that supports active living and varied commuting options.
“A lot of people have enjoyed the photo series, our 29 virtual walks and rides, the Conversations over Coffee, virtual bike parties and even some neighborhood scavenger hunts, so I think May is turning out pretty well after all,” Umana said. “Join us online to find out all we’re doing and when we’re doing it. We’ll be glad to see you there and then hopefully in person one day soon.”
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.