FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2021
MARTA CHAMPIONS MULTIMODAL
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS DURING BIKETOBER
Authority Launches Bike
Donation Program, Highlights Bicycle Amenities
ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is marking Biketober/Love to Ride month by launching a bicycle donation program, encouraging customers and employees to use bikes in tandem with public transit, and supporting a monthlong competition that challenges all metro Atlantans to experience the joy
of riding a bike.
MARTA is partnering with Bearings Bike Works and the Sopo Bicycle Cooperative to donate bicycles that are abandoned on MARTA property to the many communities they serve including refugees, LGBTQ+ homeless youth, and other youth development and homeless programs. Twenty-six bikes and a bike trailer were donated this
week to both volunteer organizations during events at Five Points rail station and at Sopo’s shop in Reynoldstown. (photos attached)
“MARTA strongly supports multimodal transportation options such as bikes and we appreciate the role they play in first- and last-mile connectivity to our bus stops and rail stations for many customers,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “As a bike rider myself it’s important that MARTA have community
partnerships like the ones with Bearings and Sopo, and systemwide amenities that make biking to catch a bus or train safe and easy.”
“Sopo's mission is to help make biking and bike maintenance more accessible. Donated bikes are fixed up by our volunteers and in the past given to non-profits such as Global Spokes and the Global Village Project which help support refugee families or
the Gateway Center which works to connect homeless individuals with resources,” said Brent Nieman with Sopo.
"We’re so grateful for MARTA’s donation of abandoned bikes to Bearings,” said Becky O’Mara, Co-Founder and Director of Development at Bearings Bike Works. “We work to give bikes a new life by inviting kids who do not have one to earn one through our skills development programs. We’re excited to keep these wheels
turning by refurbishing them and getting them back out into the world with someone new! Thank you, MARTA!"
Currently, MARTA is working with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and bicycle amenities company Dero to install new bike racks for employees and guests at its headquarters at Lindbergh Center rail station. An early advocate for bike features on public transit, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition has recognized MARTA for its bike
amenities and honored its frontline operators for providing essential transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
MARTA currently has bicycle kiosks at 37 of its 38 rail stations (excluding Airport Station), each equipped with racks, fix-it stands and tire pumps, allowing up to 500 bikes to be parked throughout the system. MARTA buses are equipped with front-mounted bike racks and bicyclists
are welcome to bring their bikes onboard trains. MARTA also partners with Atlanta’s Relay Bike Share to provide convenient, inexpensive bicycle transportation to 12 rail stations and many locations around the city.
The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is holding a series of bike safety education classes in October, two at MARTA rail stations; Buckhead on the 7th and West Lake on the 21st. Click here for details
FREE Bike Classes | Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (atlantabike.org).
Participate in the Biketober challenge, a free competition designed to motivate metro Atlantans to experience the joy of riding a bike. Click here to get rolling
Home : Love to Ride Atlanta.
To learn more about the organizations involved in the abandoned bike program visit:
Bearings Bike Works
Sopo Bicycle Cooperative (sopobikes.org)
For more information on MARTA’s bicycle amenities visit
MARTA (itsmarta.com).
###
Photo 1 - MARTA bike donation to Bearings Bike Works at
Five Points Station
Pictured L to R - Janice Jefferson, MARTA Lost & Found Coordinator Donna DeJesus, MARTA Director of Customer Services Becky O’Mara, Bearings Bike Works, Development Director Tim O’Mara, Bearings Bike Works, Executive Director LaHoya Blount, MARTA Customer Care Field Rep Heather Luyk, MARTA Program Manager, Office of the Chief of Staff
Photo 2 – MARTA bike donation to Sopo Bicycle
Cooperative in Reynoldstown
Pictured L to R - Brent Nieman, Sopo Volunteer Sgt. Albert Bell, MARTA Police Department, Property & Evidence