Bicycle Friendly Community

Tybee Island, GA | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: Tybee Island has made tremendous steps to become more bike-friendly in the past year. The most significant of these is the identification of a funding source to expand the bicycle network from the main, and only, entry point of the Island, the Lazaretto Creek Bridge, to the existing bicycle network. This also included the city obtaining an easement through this area prior to the application for this grant. Tybee Island hosts a number of events including helmet fitting seminars for cyclists, bicycle rodeos, and holding workshops for children to ensure that they are abiding by the applicable laws and approved bicycle handling skills. The signature event that takes place each year on Tybee Island includes the Tybee to Savannah Bike ride, of which the Mayor for the City of Tybee Island serves as the grand marshal. Through a collaborative effort with the local bike shops, the City of Tybee Island is developing a program to provide bikes for city employees to be able to check out and use during the day to perform their daily activities outside their office.

Most Recent Bicycle-Related Accomplishment: The island spreads bicycle education to all students through a Safe Routes to School program at all elementary, middle and high schools.  The City of Tybee Island also provides training and educational classes that are free of charge to both city employees and the general public.

Fun Fact: The City of Tybee Island is home a charity poker ride where interested parties pay an entry fee and bike from business to business collecting poker cards. The cyclist with the best hand of cards at the end of the day wins prizes donated by local businesses. The event is known as the Joyce Harrison Memorial Poker Run.