In the merry month of December, Bike Walk Golden Isles hosted two Christmas lights tours. These fun, community events were an opportunity to educate riders on cycling best practices, federal and state bike laws, and provide necessary equipment for riders to stay safe when biking.
On December 9th, we held our first community Holiday Lights Bike Ride which took us through downtown Brunswick to view the Christmas lights. We were joined by 93 riders for this event—nearly one third of whom were under age 18! There were riders of all experience levels–cyclists clipped in, kids with training wheels, Specialized, Trek, Huffy, Schwinn, baskets in front, trailers in back, road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes–young and old in festive gear to see the sights.
Prior to the start of the lights tour, Bike Walk Golden Isles staff and volunteers educated riders on cycling safety, particularly at night, and discussed Georgia bike laws with the group. BWGI distributed 16 adult helmets, 4 child helmets, 34 bike lights, and reflective gear to riders.
The success of the Holiday Lights Bike Ride was only possible through the invaluable support and partnership of Brunswick Old Town Tours and the Gullah-Geechee BRAG Dream Team. The Dream Team ensured safety for all riders along the route by stopping and directing vehicle traffic through intersections. Brunswick Old Town Tours mapped out the route led by Kate Sabbe, organized carolers, a snow machine, and even a stop in from a special visitor from the North Pole! Bike Walk Golden Isles provided hot dogs and hot cocoa after the ride.
Carolers and bike riders sing “Jingle Bells” on the Holiday Lights Bike Ride, December 9, 2024
Then on December 19th, the Oak Grove Island community invited us to lead a similar ride for OGI residents through their neighborhood. At that event, BWGI distributed 4 helmets and 17 bike lights. We also educated new Georgia residents on state bike laws, spoke with people from all walks about biking best practices, and provided information regarding safe routes in the Golden Isles.
