Oconee Share the Road Campaign

Oconee County Cycling Organization (OCCO) is a bicycling advocacy group based in Oconee County, Georgia.  Our mission is to promote bicycling and pedestrian safety, assist in improving bicycling infrastructure, and facilitate the growth of all types of cycling in Oconee County, Georgia.

Oconee county has long been a favorite location for recreational cyclists. In recent months as people across the county adapt to a new normal, many are taking to different modes of transportation, such as cycling, to reach their destination and maintain social distancing.  Unfortunately, infrastructure of bike lanes is sparse in Oconee County and  public education regarding cycling road safety is limited.  With this knowledge, OCCO would like to launch an educational campaign to provide public education on cyclists/motorists road safety.  The education will consist of an annual digital billboard subscription that encourages motorists to share the road and distribution of educational cycling safety materials

In a typical year we would have raised these funds during our annual Tour d’ OconeeBike Ride fund raiser.  Understandably, this event was cancelled in 2020 a and will be canceled 2021 due to COVID.  It is our hope to raise the funds for the OCCO Share the Road Education campaign through this crowdfunding platform.

Once we obtain the funding, we will finalize the annual contract with the digital billboard company to begin displaying the "Share the Road" billboard. Next, we will develop cyclists/motorists educational materials, print and disseminate these materials through appropriate avenues.

OCCO was developed to engage in educational and informational activities and will cooperate with public and private agencies to develop policies and programs to promote this mission. The primary reason we are launching The Oconee Share the Road Campaign is to improve safety for cyclists and motorists on the road.  According the 2018 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 857 cyclists died while on the road in the United States.  In 2018 a cyclist was fatally killed while cycling in rural Oconee County. Since the outbreak of COVID 19 there has been an increase in cyclists in our county both for recreational purposes and alternative transportation needs for social distancing.  With limited bike lane infrastructure in Oconee County, cyclists/motorists education is our best means for promoting safety.