Bike Baton Rouge announce winners of annual Mike Bitton Awards

Bike Baton Rouge announce winners of annual Mike Bitton Awards
5/2/2019, Baton Rouge, LA

Bike Baton Rouge today announced the recipients of the annual Mike Bitton Awards that recognize community members who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to make Baton Rouge a better place to bike. The Mike Bitton Awards are named after former LSU student Mike Bitton, who became a spokesperson and advocate for bicycle safety and awareness following a hit and run crash on River Road that left Mike with life threatening injuries.

2019’s award recipients are as follows:

Bike Friendly Business - Radio Bar

Since it’s first day open several years ago, Radio Bar has welcomed its bike-riding customers with open arms, installing one of the largest bike racks at a private business in town. They have hosted fundraisers for cycling causes, including one for Bike Baton Rouge, which allowed us to raise money to publish our Economic Benefits Report.

Bike Friendly Professional - April Renard

While at DOTD, April was involved in everything related to bikes/pedestrians and Complete Streets. April worked tirelessly to change the culture of traffic engineering to one that values human life and mobility. She continues such work at CSRAS as the Complete Streets Lead of the MoveBR program.

Bike Friendly Elected Official - Tara Wicker

We don’t give this one out every year because, sadly, some years we simply don’t feel anyone has earned it. Not so this year. Councilwoman Wicker, an avid bike rider herself, has always been a steady ally in the fight for safer streets and more bike and pedestrian infrastructure. She was a main voice in helping to make BikeShare a reality in Baton Rouge and serves on the city/parish Complete Streets committee to this day.

Mike Bitton Award - Dr. Jean George

Dr. George was a co-founder of the Sustainable Transportation Action Committee which helped to expertly show the potential and possibility of redesigning a portion of Florida Blvd, one of the most dangerous streets in the state, to where it works for all road users. Dr. George works with AARP and is unmatched in her quest to make roads safer in Baton Rouge so, as she so often puts it, “people can be safe to walk across the street.” Her passion for road safety, civic engagement and for an active lifestyle for senior citizens makes us proud to know her.

Bike Baton Rouge is a local non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization and has been dedicated to making bicycling trips in Baton Rouge safer and more enjoyable since 2006.
 

Dr. Jean George