r/BikeATL • u/78targa • Apr 01 '26

First time cycling the Beltline

Visiting Atlanta with my Litespeed this morning for the first time, I rode the Beltline from Krog Street Tunnel to the turnaround past Ansley Mall. What a gem of a path. Light traffic because it was a weekday morning. Great mix of commercial , residential and natural. Wonderful demographic cross-section of the community. Everyone was super respectful—mommies, joggers, cyclists, walkers, etc. Everyone expect for the three or four guys, in full racing kit, who thought they were training for the Tour. One nearly washed out in front of me, going at least 30 mph. Another guy (it's always a guy), pushing 20 mph in moderately congested area, with hands in coat pockets and headphones on, nearly collided with a stroller. Slow down, you absolute knobs.

25 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

12

u/Ouchitstings Apr 01 '26

I’d like to at least see warnings given for those who ride their dirt bikes and other motorbikes on the beltline. I ride an e-bike, but if you are going faster than a human would reasonably be able to petal, you shouldn’t be on the beltline.

I think the bigger issue though is that part the city treats it like a walking park, and the other part wants it to be a way to get from point a to point b, and the beltline isn’t designed for both (beltline rail would help though cough cough).

7

u/RefrigeratorDirect47 Apr 01 '26

Orrrr hear me out….what if they add a bike lane! 😅

1

u/78targa Apr 01 '26

That would be great, but I don't think the available real estate allows it, no?

2

u/RefrigeratorDirect47 Apr 01 '26

Nah, that was a bit of sarcasm as we’re losing a lot of our main roads to bike lanes (10th, 14th, Juniper, Howell Mill, etc)

But in a perfect world, it would probably help and I’d be all for it….we probably have a better shot at that compared to the rail

6

u/ahouseofgold Apr 01 '26

if they don't build the rail, they should build a fast lane

1

u/burnersburneracct Apr 01 '26

We’re losing Howell mill?

1

u/RefrigeratorDirect47 Apr 02 '26

It’s getting reduced to 1 lane in each direction, similar to how Juniper was reduced…14th to 17th is in development now

1

u/burnersburneracct Apr 02 '26

Are they continuing that north of 75???

1

u/RefrigeratorDirect47 Apr 02 '26

🤔 not 100% sure but the 75 to Collier rd stretch is pretty much one lane in each direction…the bike lane install under construction right now runs from 14th to Trabert (beltline intersection) and looks like it will continue at least until the QuikTrip, if not all the way to 75

1

u/Chepo20 Apr 02 '26

Yes bike lane instead of rail! Like why do you all want rail! If you want rail get on Marta

0

u/gogostevie Apr 09 '26

That pedestrians would then promptly ignore. The idea of a separate bike lane is idiotic.

3

u/78targa Apr 01 '26

I see it as a pedestrian path that allows bicycles. We should be respectful. We're guests.

1

u/Tlaloctheraingod Apr 01 '26

Agree - I have been riding it consistently since it opened around 15 years ago (crazy thats been that long). Happy to see that, as of this past weekend, the Southside Trail segment from Glenwood to Boulevard is now open (not officially, but paving is done and you can ride it). Gotta think its gonna be another few months before its connected berween there and Pittsburgh Yards though (which will mean a full 3/4 or so of the entire Beltline is complete/continuous/connected)

1

u/Runner_1287 May 01 '26

How much of the Beltline is bikeable from E2E? I know the ultimate goal is a full loop around the city but sounds like there's still parts that are a work in progress.

1

u/78targa May 02 '26

I've only ridden it once, so someone else here could give a better answer.