80 photos: Atlanta Streets Alive is finally born again! Josh Green Mon, 09/25/2023 - 08:09 Question: What do you get when you make Peachtree Street off-limits to cars and add thousands of pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, roller-skaters, hover-boarders, musicians, stationary revelers, artists, dogs, and every other manner of Atlantan on a pristine September day?
Answer: 2.8 miles of good vibes.
After a long four-year hiatus, the city’s signature open-streets program, Atlanta Streets Alive, made a lively return Sunday, consuming Peachtree’s traffic lanes and sidewalks from south of Underground Atlanta up to 15th Street in Midtown.
The Peachtree route was among the most attended and frequently staged of the events over the years, with crowds often topping 100,000, as estimated by volunteer counters.
Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (now Propel ATL) originated Streets Alive, inspired by ciclovíaevents in Bogotá, Colombia and other cities. The Atlanta phenomenon began meagerly one day in 2010 when a stretch of Edgewood Avenue opened to bicyclists, skaters, walkers, and anyone else not driving a car.
Over the course of a decade, organizers say Streets Alive staged 29 events and covered some 83 miles of city streets, drawing an estimated 1.7 million people total.
The final pre-hiatus event was also held on Peachtree in 2019, before going dormant through pandemic years as logistics for a more frequent Streets Alive were worked out with the Atlanta Department of Transportation and other city leaders.
In the gallery above, find more than 80 photos cataloguing Sunday’s action along the entire route.
And mark your calendars: Streets Alive will return for two more Sunday installments this year—from 1 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Nov. 12.
...
Follow us on social media:
• Downtown news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)
Tags
Atlanta Streets Alive Propel ATL Amir Farokhi Peachtree Street Downtown Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Atlanta Festivals Atlanta Traditions
Images
We start by heading south in the 3 p.m. hour Sunday on Peachtree Street near Trinity Avenue. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Heading north near Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
DJ fittingly playing "Happy" at Underground Atlanta, near MARTA's Five Points station. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Performance at Woodruff Park. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Performance at Peachtree Center's The Hub. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
One of several Propel ATL stations along the 2.8-mile route. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Dance party on the Peachtree bridge over the Connector. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Many attendees caught a Buzz on Sunday. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The Human DJ performs at Midtown's new Commercial Row Commons. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The "Rub 'n' Tug Cheshire Bridge" vessel. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Crossing official feeling the bass line of a nearby concert at Peachtree and 14th Street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Performance at Pour Taproom in Midtown. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Colony Square crowds.Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Colony Square's popular bike valet on Sunday afternoon.Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Customized bicycles (and tricycles) were on display. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
This ride's sound system was enough to impress authorities. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Street-side solo performance in Midtown. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
The end of the line (15th Street) during ASA's glorious return to Atlanta. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Subtitle Thousands flock to Peachtree Street for first car-free bonanza in four long years
Neighborhood Downtown
Background Image
Image
Before/After Images
Sponsored Post Off