Vaishali Patel
Since 2005, The Bicycling Club of Milledgeville has been trying to make Milledgeville/Baldwin County a better and safer place for people to ride bikes more often. Club president and Oconee Outfitter Manager Adam Heagy said the club is also known as “The Asylum City Psychlists.”
“A lot of people know Milledgeville for Central State Hospital, so why not go with something everyone is familiar with?” Heagy said. “The intent all along of the club is to engage people to get out and take part in those activities that benefit personal health and benefit the health of the community. The more people we have riding bikes, the more parking spaces we have and have less cars on the road, which means less pollution in the area. It’s just all around great for everyone.”
Club brainchild Benny Watson is an avid cyclist who has been riding for 15-plus years, Heagy said. While there are cyclists in the area, Heagy said Watson came up with the bicycling club idea since no local organizations were available for riders to come together and provide those interested to ride on two wheels.
“It can be very intimidating to get out there on the road by yourself. At the beginning you can be intimidated by traffic, and if you have one bad experience, the bike goes in the back of the garage and you’re back to driving,” Heagy said. “We have beginner-friendly rides. We welcome all people to come out, but we recommend that everyone must wear a helmet and minors have to be accompanied by an adult.”
Heagy said projects through the recently awarded Georgia College grant to promote healthy eating and physical activity cannot be negative for the community, and joining the club can be very beneficial.
“Spending money on a path where kids can walk or ride to school is a small price to pay when obesity [is such a big problem among youth],” Heagy said.
Every month, the club hosts a BATTY (Bikes Are Traffic Too, Y’all) ride to demonstrate that bicycles belong on the streets of Milledgeville. Along the three-mile route, riders observe the rules of the road, stopping for traffic lights and stop signs, riding in proper parts of the lane to allow traffic to pass safely when conditions allow. Heagy said the club promotes vehicular cycling and bicyclists have the same roads, same rights and same rules as cars on the road.
“We’re not trying to take over the streets. We can be out there and be safe just as vehicles are. We’re just trying to get around by bike,” he said.
Weekly road and mountain bike rides takes place every Tuesday and Thursday during season, but they have been suspended until Daylight Saving Time returns. A BATTY Ride will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, beginning at Oconee Outfitters on Hancock Street followed by an after-ride gathering at 6 p.m. at Blackbird Coffee. Anyone who can observe the rules of the road and ride at their own risk is encouraged to come out.
“If someone doesn’t have equipment, we can probably provide them with it, depending on what their needs are,” Heagy said.
For more information about the club or to participate in a ride, call Heagy at (478) 452- 3890 or visit www.mvillebikes.com to check the schedule.
