Case Studies 

Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

*Nominee 

Macon Connects

Macon

Georgia

United States

Contributed by 
Project for Public Spaces
 on 
June 24, 2019
May 1, 2024

How do you octuple a city’s bike ridership for a week? Install the largest pop-up bike lane network in the world. See how a small southern city made it happen.

What makes it Great?

Why it doesn't work?

For a week in the summer of 2016, Macon, Georgia was home to the largest pop-up bike lane network in the world. Consisting of more than five miles of volunteer-installed bike lanes, the initiative, called Macon Connects, encouraged safe active transportation, brought neighbors together, and made people more aware of the city beyond their windshields. Among other striking figures, bike ridership increased 854% (!) for the week, and 75% of surveyed users noticed a store or amenity along the ride that they had not seen before. 

Macon Connects was born out of a Knight Foundation grant, which equipped the city with the necessary capacity and materials (lots of paint, temporary bollards, and several striping machines). Volunteers did much of the rest. Ninety people chipped in over the course of four sweltering days to paint and construct the lanes in a variety of styles, then celebrated the network’s completion with a block party that doubled as a data collection opportunity. Since the successful pilot, plans are underway to install a three-mile permanent bike lane on a downtown thoroughfare.


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History & Background

Related Links & Sources

Macon Connects
Photo Credit (All): Mark Strozier/NewTown Macon
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Macon Connects

*Please note that these Hall of Shame nominations were written in a moment in time (most over a decade ago) and likely have since changed or even been transformed. If the above entry is now great, or still not so great, go ahead and comment below on how it has evolved or nominate it as a great place.

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