2026 Georgia Bike-Walk-Live Summit sets records

The 2026 Georgia Bike-Walk-Live Summit, hosted by Go Georgia in Athens on Sept. 10 and 11, set new records in registration and attendance, with more than 160 people registered for events in the Classic City.

The event, which also included the Georgia Trail Summit—as it has since 2024—attracted 24 sponsors, a record number. Their support was crucial in bringing together elected officials, planners, designers, and advocates from across Georgia and beyond. 

Held in downtown Athens and at the Georgia Museum of Art, this year’s iteration of this annual event featured six mobile workshops, a plenary session (with keynote speaker Kelly Girtz, mayor of Athens-Clarke County), 14 breakout sessions, and four social events. 

The event drew attendees involved in all aspects of active transportation and recreation in Georgia, including representatives of state, regional, and local government agencies, advocates from local and regional organizations, managers at private enterprises, technical experts, and residents concerned about the future of cycling, walking, and micromobility in the state.

The Summit was made possible by the following sponsors:

• Partners: Georgia Department of Transportation, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety 
• Presenting: Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition, Bike Law Georgia, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
• Platinum: Trust for Public Land, UGA Traffic Safety Research and Evaluation Group
• Gold: VHB, Georgia High Obesity Program
• Silver: American Automobile Association (AAA), Alta, Athens-Clarke County, Athens In Motion Commission, Deeds Creative, Georgia Trails Alliance, Supporting Health Initiatives & Nurturing Equity (SHINE)
• Bronze: Dero Bike Racks, Electric Cities of Georgia, Firefly Trail, Georgia Statewide Physical Activity and Nutrition Initiative (G-SPAN), Georgia Rivers, Southern Environmental Law Center, TSW

Participant quotes:

Art Edison (Athens in Motion Commission): “Thank you so much for leading this and bringing it to Athens. I couldn’t attend everything but loved the sessions that I went to… I get so much out of groups that share my interests, and I appreciate the chance to participate.”

Temple Moore (Refugee Women’s Network): “I really appreciated the immediate invitation to move in the urban and green spaces on the first day of the conference. It allowed those with experience and connection to Athens urban planning to show visitors how their work had come to be, and supported engagement between different perspectives.

“The sessions were truly engaging; being new to urban planning language and processes, I appreciated how multiple stakeholders were included, from bike instructors to council people. It really felt like the time for networking was prioritized and I can see how that is the real catalyst for change in a gathering like this.”

Brady Boyer (recent graduate, first-time attendee): “It was really the first ever planning-related conference/event I have had the opportunity to attend, and getting to learn from a wide set of perspectives on transportation planning and advocacy was really energizing for me… It is clear to see just after a day of talking with others the type of impact you're making on communities here.”

Carmine Fischetti (Carl Vinson Institute of Government, UGA): “I really enjoyed the conference last week and hope to attend in the future. Great job.”