About Atlanta
Walkscore 45
Bikescore 48
Transitscore 47
League of American Cyclists Community Rating: not rated
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Atlanta is the capital of the New South, and is currently in the midst of a fairly massive re-imagining of itself. For decades Atlanta was the poster child for Car Commuter Culture, with a donut of outlying suburbs supplying millions of single-occupancy cars into the machinery of Downtown every morning and back out again at 5, leaving most of the city’s inner neighborhoods in a state of half occupancy, and with more than their share of decay and neglect. Today young families are once again choosing to live inside the belt line in larger and larger numbers, with neighborhoods like Decatur and Old Fourth Ward shaking the dust of the 1970’s off and putting those old empty buildings to vibrant new uses. Bike lanes are sprouting up like kudzu, including some pretty dreamy cycle tracks and bike paths that are beginning to offer serious connectivity for people who want a better way to get around town than sitting in Atlanta’s infamous traffic. Atlanta has always had the climate and the culture, but they’re now beginning to make it accessible to everyone.
Gallery
Biking in Atlanta 101
Culture
The bike culture in Atlanta tends to be young, fresh, and vigorous. Bikes are gaining traction here, and cyclists are eager to meet up and share fellowship. It’s an exciting time to bike around Atlanta.
Etiquette
Atlanta is pretty relaxed, but hand signals and bells remain remarkably simple and effective ways to keep you out of collisions. Tell the people around you what you intend to do.
Safety
Front white light and at least a red reflector is required. Helmets required under the age of 16. Stay off the sidewalks, stay to the right as much as you can (it’s a law), don’t ride more than 2 people wide, and motor vehicles are required to give you at least 3 feet of space when they pass.
security
Normal “big city” rules apply… bring your bike inside at night if even remotely possible. If not, use at least one serious U-Lock or high-grade (preferrably German) cable lock. Secure the wheels to the frame, and don’t lock up to something that can be unbolted or lifted out of the ground, like many street signs.
Best Bike Rides in Atlanta
These routes were curated by local Atlantans who wanted to share their #BestBikeRide with you. Print off the map for free!
Bikes
Take a family bike ride with a bakfiets (Dutch cargo bike) rental from DECATUR fiets.
Atlanta
Bike Share
Relay Bike Share - $8/hour for sturdy city bike with easily adjustable seat post, chain-less pedaling (no grease stain), lights and basket.
Rentals
DECATUR fiets - family cargo bike rental. Call for pricing.
Bicycle Tours of Atlanta - $40/day for city bike, helmet, map and bike lock. Extra costs & services include drop off / pick up, lights, basket and tube kit
Atlanta Beltline Bicycles - $20/day for hybrid bike
Civil Bikes - $25/day for mountain or youth bike
Decatur Bikes - $25/day for hybrids or $45/day for road bikes includes helmet & lock
Skate Escape - $40+/day for single speed, tandem or mountain bike. Lock and helmet extra.
Tours
Bicycle Tours of Atlanta - $59 for 3 hour tours: "Fall in Love with Atlanta", "Old South and New Beginnings", "Downtown to Midtown, Past to Present" and "The Sweet Twilight". Includes bike, helmet, water and snacks.
Civil Bikes - $30+ for walking and themed bike tours
Beltline Tours - FREE tour of the Beltline, Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 3pm. Must register in provided link.
Shops
Decatur Bikes - Family, city and commuter offerings in downtown Decatur. Brand inventory includes Surly (Big Dummy), Breezer, Fuji, Jamis, Public, Civia and KHS
Decatur Fiets - The family bike shop in Atlanta selling Workcycles KR8s (bakfiets) and Kinder Tandems
Places
Atlanta
We curated this list of our favorite bike shops, coffee shops, restaurants, museums, scenic vistas, playgrounds, ice cream, microbreweries and more in Atlanta & Athens!
Lodging
Loews Hotel has a bike guide and is located right next to rentals and a bike share station.
hotels
See our lodging directory for bike-friendly hotels, inns and B&Bs.
KIMPTON OVERLAND HOTEL
Reservations, +1 470-466-3300, 2 Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
Amenities: free rental bikes
LOEWS ATLANTA HOTEL
Reservations, +1 (888) 205-9763, 1065 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta
Amenities: bike guide, located next to bike rentals, bike share, Piedmont Park and the Beltline Trail
Transportation
Atlanta
CITY TRANSIT
MARTA - "MARTA allows bicycles on trains at any time of the day or night", itsmarta.com. 100% of buses are outfitted with bicycle racks on the front and they are first come, first serve.
TRAIN
Crescent (New York - Atlanta - New Orleans) - folding bikes allowed. Full bikes must be boxed (boxes are $15) and pay $10 to check as luggage.
BUS
Greyhound - bicycles must be boxed or bagged and if they exceed 62" in length, a charge of $30-40 will be applied.
CARS
AIRLINE
Alaska Air - $25 to check bike
Delta- FREE for bikes under 23kg or 50lbs in a protective box or bag under 62 linear inches or 158 centimeters.
Frontier - $75 to check bike
Qatar Airways - free pending the weight of the boxed bike and ticket class
Southwest - FREE to check bike
Support Local Advocates
Bikabout donates 25% of annual revenue to local advocates. You, too, can power better biking in Atlanta, Athens and Georgia by becoming a member of any of the great non-profits below!
This scenic twenty mile loop features beautiful neighborhoods, a historic cemetery established in the 1830’s, a photogenic college campus, a pastoral horse farm, a nature preserve and city parks. Your stomach will delight that the route starts and ends in Decatur, the best food neighborhood in Atlanta.