Open Streets Macon FAQ’s
WHAT IS OPEN STREETS MACON?
Open Streets Macon is shifting Macon’s culture to become a more liveable city – building community and highlighting neighborhood pride, providing healthy activities for Macon residents and visitors, and educating the masses on transportation options to get where you work, live, and play. Open Streets Macon does all these things by removing cars temporarily and opening it up for people. It creates public spaces for all and helps people think differently about streets in their communities.
WHERE DID THE IDEA ORIGINATE?
Open Streets Macon was inspired by the ciclovia in Bogotá, Colombia, where city streets are closed to car traffic to allow people to participate in all kinds of free health and community-oriented events. Thirty years after the first program, the concept has spread around the world from Tokyo, Japan to Kiev, Ukraine. Now we are bringing it to Macon for the 6th year in a row!
How does Open Streets help Bike Walk Macon’s mission?
Open Streets Macon is a direct reflection of Bike Walk Macon’s mission: making streets safer, more accessible, and more people-centered. It invites residents to imagine streets that serve everyone - especially people walking, biking, and using mobility devices - every day, not just during special events.
Know before you go -
Here’s what to expect on Open Streets day.
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Open Streets Macon is held on a Sunday afternoon, a time of the week with relatively low motorized traffic. We carefully selected this time to avoid overlap with other large events going on throughout the city, and to allow those who attend religious services on Sunday to participate.
Additionally, there will be “soft closures” with through traffic allowed at most intersections along the route and auto access for residents and businesses located within the closed route. This type of closure has worked very well in other cities around the world. Traffic will be monitored and future events will reflect any needed changes.
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Bring your bike, skates, or just your feet. You can enjoy the open streets route by biking, strolling, skating, or people watching. You can also take part in free activities like dance, yoga, hula hooping, story time and more, clustered in “activity hubs” along the route. Information on these activities will be posted as the date draws nearer.
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We intentionally leave space between activity hubs to allow participants to enjoy the freedom of our streets without cars. These quieter stretches allow people to ride, stroll, and take in the neighborhood at a relaxed pace - just like they might if the streets were always this safe and inviting.
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A longer route helps connect neighborhoods, parks, and business districts, giving more people the opportunity to participate and explore. It also encourages movement and discovery - you can walk, roll, or bike as much or as little as you want.
We also want people to experience how close everything in our city actually is. When you're outside of a car, you get a better sense of how accessible our neighborhoods and community spaces really are. Open Streets gives residents a chance to rethink how they get around and imagine a Macon where walking and biking are real, everyday options.
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Everyone! It offers free and fun activities for Macon residents and visitors, turns streets into temporary parks in areas without many parks and that are not always people-friendly. Local businesses benefit from increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic along commercial corridors. Open Streets events model how cities can provide healthy, environmental-friendly outdoor activities for their residents.
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Water bottle + sunscreen + friends
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Everyone! Open Streets Macon is free and open to people of all ages and abilities.
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There’s no beginning or end. Start and end anywhere along the route!
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Port-a-potties and water stations will be available at each activity hub. Stay hydrated and feel free to stop and rest along the route.
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Yes! Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at Open Streets Macon. Please remember to clean up after them and be mindful of others on the route.
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Yes! Open Streets Macon is free for everyone.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering with this project, please fill out the Volunteer Sign-Up Form.
For questions, please email volunteer@bikewalkmacon.com.
Host an Activity
Visit the activity partner page for more details on hosting an activity during Open Streets Macon. If you have specific questions, email kaylee@bikewalkmacon.com.