LISTEN: Bike Walk Macon, a nonprofit that works to make cycling and walking more accessible for the community, is expanding its efforts and activities. GPB's Eliza Moore explains.

Rudy Mendes, education program coordinator for Bike Walk Macon, instructs participants on bike safety at the Macon Bike Party Rivoli Roll group ride on June 8, 2023. Josephine Bennett / GPB.

Rudy Mendes, education program coordinator for Bike Walk Macon, instructs participants on bike safety at the Macon Bike Party Rivoli Roll group ride on June 8, 2023.

Credit: Josephine Bennett / GPB News

Macon residents can nominate their neighborhood street to be a part of Play Streets Macon, a new initiative that opens neighborhood streets for community activities and closes them to traffic.

Open Streets Macon is a long running community-wide celebration where streets are closed to traffic and people engage in family fun ranging from chalk art to bike parades. It was founded by Bike Walk Macon, a nonprofit that works to make biking and walking more accessible for the community.

Rachel Umana, executive director of Bike Walk Macon, said Play Streets Macon is a new smaller, simpler version meant to give residents the freedom to lead their own street closure by nominating their neighborhood.

“We're hoping that it can spark a movement where any resident can be able to just safely and simply close their street and enjoy their street for a few hours,” said Umana.

After a resident nominates their street, they are able to choose what activities they want to take place on their block that day.

“There's really no strict program for Play Streets,” said Umana. “It's up to each neighborhood to decide how they think their street could be more fun and friendly and build community that day.”

Through a grant with Downtown Macon Challenge from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Play Streets Macon provides resources to block traffic and funding for the activities requested.

Umana said Macon used to be ranked the most deadly city for pedestrians in Georgia. Initiatives like Play Streets Macon help change this narrative.

“We encourage people to think about how our streets could be used differently, how they could be safer for people that live in the neighborhood,” Umana said.

Bike Walk Macon will provide resources to help four neighborhoods plan and hold a Play Streets event with hopes to expand the program in the future.

Neighborhood nominations will be accepted through Friday, June 23.

Tags: Macon  pedestrian safety  Georgia  Atlanta