2026 Quarter 1 Newsletter

National Bike Summit

Bike Walk Tennessee was proud to participate in the 2026 National Bike Summit, hosted by the League of American Bicyclists. This event is a fantastic opportunity to network with and learn from bike enthusiasts from across the nation and to advocate for better biking on Capitol Hill. We are grateful to everyone from across the state who was able to join us, and encourage you to plan to attend the conference next year!

Tennessee Bike Walk Summit

Save the date for the 2026 Tennessee Bike Walk Summit! This year, Bike Walk Tennessee will host the event on November 19 and 20. We look forward to sharing more details about the conference soon, but for now, mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Committees

Brentwood

E-Bike Safety Education

Bike Walk Brentwood has been focusing heavily on e-bike safety education in conjunction with our City Commission. The expanding presence of e-micromobility devices in city parks and sidewalks is creating a need for more attention to how we share space. On sidewalks and paved paths, Bike Walk Brentwood recommends a maximum speed of 15 mph, 5 mph when passing pedestrians, and helmets to be worn by everyone at all times.

Traffic Calming

Brentwood’s city commission recently finalized an update to its traffic calming policy for the installation of speed humps and speed tables on neighborhood streets. This policy update is expected to result in a clearer, more consistent process for neighborhoods choosing whether traffic calming is right for them.

Brentwood 2040 Plan

The Brentwood 2040 Plan process has begun! The consultant has been hired and initial efforts are underway. Brentwood citizens should stay tuned on ways to get involved with this major city planning initiative.

Cleveland

Spring is officially in the air, and for several children in our community, it’s arriving on two wheels. Bike Walk Cleveland recently partnered with the Cleveland Family YMCA to host a bike donation event, ensuring that local youth have the opportunity to stay active and explore their neighborhoods this season. Beyond just providing the bicycles, the initiative focused on safety and longevity; every child walked away with a brand-new helmet and basic cycling education to navigate the roads safely. This collaboration highlights the power of local partnerships in fostering a healthier, more connected community for our youngest residents.

Franklin

Main Street Makeover

Franklin’s Safe Streets 4 All Safety Action Plan completed last year is paying off. Proposed safety interventions for West Main Street were submitted for a federal grant, and awarded $8 million to design and build. The city will contribute an additional $2 million as part of a required match. The upgrades will target a one-mile section from Petway to Downs Boulevard, and should include better drainage, safer shoulders and more established sidewalks. Think of being able to walk to the county administration building, health department, or Hanks Coffee! Watch our video about the award.

Safety Education

We partnered with the Williamson County Health Department this winter to stop by Johnson Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Liberty Elementary to talk about roadway safety. The students greatly enjoyed our demonstration of dropping a melon wearing a bike helmet compared to one dropped without a helmet. We also created a small signalized intersection with a crosswalk to stress the importance of looking for a walk signal before going into the road.

Knoxville

Bicycle/Pedestrian Friendly Driver Education

The Bike Walk Knoxville team was proud to offer several classes of our Bicycle/Pedestrian Friendly Driver education program this quarter. We provided important information about sharing the road with students at two local high schools, as well as to recruits with the Knoxville Police Department. Our program ensures that drivers are aware of the rights and responsibilities of all roadway users, and encourages best practices for roadway safety!

Open Streets Knoxville

Join Bike Walk Knoxville on Sunday, May 17th from 2–6 PM as Open Streets Knoxville returns for an exciting afternoon of car-free streets, community connection, and active fun! Experience Gay Street like never before as it opens up to people instead of cars, from Summit Hill Dr. to Hill Ave., and extending across the Gay St. Bridge. Walk, bike, roll, dance, explore and more in the street! This free, family-friendly event is open to everyone of all ages and abilities, and invites you to experience Knoxville in a whole new way. Come out, be active, connect with your community, and enjoy the streets as public spaces meant for people.

Support Our Work!

We rely on your donations to support all that we accomplish across Tennessee. We have a small staff and a grand vision. Help Tennessee realize the social, economic, health, and environmental benefits of bicycle and pedestrian friendly communities by supporting Bike Walk Tennessee. You can support our work by donating to Bike Walk Tennessee or directly to any of our regional subcommittees!

Brentwood || Chattanooga || Cleveland || Franklin || Knoxville