What is Atlanta Streets Alive?
Atlanta Streets Alive opens streets for people by temporarily closing them to cars to create a whole new healthy, sustainable and vibrant city street experience.
Atlanta Streets Alive is a program inspired by open streets projects all over the world.
The idea originated in Bogotá, Columbia, where neighborhood activists opened the streets for people to bike, skate, or use any human powered means of transportation, while temporarily closing them to motor vehicles. In Bogotá today, 70 miles of streets are opened to the public from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday. Amazingly, over 800,000 people – young and old, on foot, bike, and every imaginable kind of wheeled device – take part each week!
Who can participate in Atlanta Streets Alive?
EVERYONE IS INVITED Everyone—and we mean everyone—from the young to the old and wise, from ITP to OTP, from all shapes and sizes and from all levels of physical fitness. Atlanta Streets Alive aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and encourage the masses to get out and walk, bike, skate or dance for a few hours. And we believe the streets are the common connection between all citizens, and a public space where we can celebrate our health and our city.
How can I participate in Atlanta Streets Alive?
For most people, just show up!
If interested in providing an activity, please find out more by clicking here.
- HUMAN-POWERED AMUSEMENT All activities are human-powered. In a world filled with video-games, augmented reality and unlimited digital screens, it’s important to return to the simple life every now and then. Atlanta Streets Alive celebrates old-fashioned entertainment, such as biking, roller blading, skateboarding, dancing and even finger-painting. If you can do it in the street (off the grid) you can do it.
Businesses in an Atlanta Streets Alive neighborhood:
- CONNECT NEIGHBORS + LOCAL BUSINESSES = ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT By not having any outside vendors, this event celebrates local businesses and connects them more closely with surrounding neighborhood citizens. We work closely with neighborhood associations, business associations and individual businesses along each route to make sure they have time to make the most out of a car-free day. This is also a great way for Atlanta residents to discover new businesses along the route.
- Looking to Sponsor? Click here to find out more about the great opportunities to have you business highlighted around Atlanta Streets Alive.
Is Atlanta Streets Alive a race?
No. There is no “start” or “finish.” The streets operate as a platform allowing participants to enjoy the space as they see fit. Participants should plan for a leisurely day of riding or jogging. Be patient with those around you and the speeds at which they are traveling. Never pass on the right, only on the left.
Are there restrooms available during Streets Alive?
Yes. There will be portable toilets, including ADA accessible ones, at hubs along each Atlanta Streets Alive route. Also, many businesses open their restrooms to participants. Please check out the map for restroom options.
Where can I find water along the route?
There will be hydration stations at tables along each Atlanta Streets Alive route. In the spirit of conservation, Atlanta Streets Alive asks participants to bring their own reusable water bottle.
Is the Atlanta Streets Alive route always the same?
The Atlanta Streets Alive route does change in order to spread its benefits to as many neighborhoods and people as possible.
Which direction does Atlanta Streets Alive flow?
Both ways, similar to the “normal” flow of traffic. There is no right or wrong place to join the route. All you need to do is step or ride on at any point and go any direction you want!
When will the Atlanta Streets Alive route go into effect?
- 12:00pm– officially no parking on the route goes into effect – if any car is parked on the route after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, it will be towed
- 1:00pm – city begins to tow any cars parked on the route
- 1:00pm – city begins closing streets to secure route, with full closure in effect by approximately 2:00 p.m.
- 6:00pm – city begins to re-open the route car traffic – route is fully open by approximately 7:00 p.m.
When will the streets revert back to normal car traffic?
At 6:00pm, after Atlanta Streets Alive, the roads begin re-opening to cars and are fully open by approximately 7:00pm.
How is Atlanta Streets Alive funded?
Atlanta Streets Alive is funded with (a private/public split, with Atlanta Bicycle Coalition covering more than half of the costs and — covering the rest of the costs.)
Private money includes individual and corporate donations and sponsorships, as well as support from foundations.