About a year ago, I bought an e-bike to cycle around the city, and it completely changed my relationship with the Atlanta Beltline.
Like most people, I started out using the trail as a pedestrian. Atlanta isn’t known for its pedestrian infrastructure, but the so-called “Emerald Necklace” is a walking and riding paradise. If I really wanted to walk, I could head from Krog Street Market to Piedmont Park. It would just take a while.
But after a few years, I got tired of renting shareable e-bikes and e-scooters and decided to take the plunge on a personal electric bicycle. It changed everything. The Beltline became the easiest way to get around, and I started seeing the 22-mile loop as transportation instead of a pleasant amenity…