The holiday season in the Golden Isles is always filled with exciting events for everyone and this past December was no different. In December, BWGI led two community rides for bicyclists of all ages and experience levels to view the lights and decorations in Brunswick while learning about bike safety and group riding skills in a safe environment for the second year. The City of Brunswick Downtown Development Authority and the Oak Grove Island (OGI) Hospitality, Beautification and Social Events Committee (HBSEC) invited BWGI to return to lead these rides, lending invaluable support throughout the process.
BWGI works hard to make our communities safer and friendlier for all who bike, walk, run or roll. Biking at night requires concerted efforts to increase your visibility on-bike to avoid crashes or collisions and decrease risk of injury. Being safe means being seen by pedestrians and other vehicles on the road.
Because bicycles are legally classified as a vehicle, state law dictates that bikes must be outfitted with a white front light and red rear light (or red reflector) when traveling at night. The law also requires riders under age 16 wear properly fitted helmets. BWGI provides free bike safety education and helmet fittings to our communities, distributing essential safety equipment — like helmets and bike lights — to any rider in need thanks to funding from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).
Wearing hi-vis or reflective clothing also greatly improves a bicyclist’s visibility. For both of these night rides, BWGI encouraged riders to wear fun, festive and reflective gear, and decorate their bikes and bike trailers with Christmas lights.
BWGI Board Chair Murray Pounds educates a bicyclist about bike safety during the helmet distribution and fitting before the Holiday Lights Bike Ride 2025.
A BWGI volunteer and BWGI board member Greg Gates distribute bike lights at the Holiday Lights Bike Ride 2025 registration.
After getting rained out the week before, the skies were clear on Sunday, December 14th as BWGI staff and volunteers took 63 bicyclists of all ages on the second annual Holiday Lights Bike Ride in Downtown Brunswick. The 3.48 mi. ride departed from Brunswick Old City Hall. The ride was escorted by the City of Brunswick Police Department (BPD) with group riding safety and logistical support provided by the Brunswick chapter of the Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) Dream Team’s Gullah Geechee Club and from BWGI’s League of American Bicyclists League Certified Instructors (LCIs) on staff.
Bicyclists and volunteers gather for a photo on the steps of Brunswick Old City Hall at the Holiday Lights Ride 2025.
After the ride, the festive riders lined up for cookies and cocoa courtesy of BWGI in front of Old City Hall.
On the following Sunday (December 21), BWGI partnered with the Oak Grove Island HBSEC for the second annual OGI Christmas Lights Bike Ride, leading 50 bicyclists — nearly one third age 17 and under — on a 6.46 mi. route to see Christmas lights on Oak Grove Island in Brunswick. Bicyclists looped from the OGI Yacht Club and rode by homes entered into their neighborhood decorating contest. The HBSEC provided hot cocoa and cookies following the ride with help from some very special guests.
Bicyclists pause for a photo on Oak Grove Island showing off their festive apparel, reflective gear, and bike lights during the OGI Christmas Lights Bike Ride on December 21, 2025.
For more pictures of these two fun and educational rides, view the gallery below:
