Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Awards Grant to Bicycle Columbus

Bicycle Columbus is pleased to announce it has received $72,554.00 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).

This grant will help finance Bicycle Columbus’ first full-time Executive Director. This position will organize events to distribute educational and safety materials, conduct pedestrian and bicycle conditions audits, host family-friendly group bicycle rides, and partner with community organizations in their efforts to make our streets safer.

“Innovative projects like this are designed with the intent for Georgia and our nation to reach the realistic goal of zero traffic deaths by the middle of this century,” said Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Each life saved on our roads is one less family that will have to live with the pain of losing a loved one whose life was taken from them in a traffic crash that was completely preventable.”

“Bicycle Columbus and GOHS share the same vision for a Georgia with zero traffic deaths,” said John Jackson, President of Bicycle Columbus. “This partnership will enable Bicycle Columbus to continue making bicycling and walking safer for everyone in our community.”

The grant year for this award is December 1 of 2025 to September 30 of 2026. 

Bicycle Columbus’ mission is to promote safe walking and bicycling for transportation and recreation and to advocate for improved bicycle and pedestrian conditions in Columbus, Georgia. Since its founding in 2012, it has been 100% volunteer run with little budget. In 2024, it expanded its mission to promote pedestrian safety. Every year it hosts several community events, including free bicycle maintenance clinics and Ride with the Mayor.

“With traffic injuries near a record-high in Georgia and nationwide,” said John Jackson, “Bicycle Columbus’ mission has grown beyond its all-volunteer organization, and we are ready to bring on an Executive Director who can work full-time.”

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s mission is to educate the public on safe driving behaviors and implement highway safety campaigns and programs designed to reduce crashes and eliminate fatalities and injuries on Georgia roads.

For more information on this grant program, contact GOHS at 404-656-6996 and for more information on GOHS and its other highway safety programs, visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.