Bike Baton Rouge

Mark Martin and Tina Ufford at the 2024 Cranksgiving event, held at the Electric Depot.

Bike Baton Rouge is a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to advocate for safer, more accessible bicycle infrastructure and culture in the city of Baton Rouge.The

organization began as B.R.A.S.S. (Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets), a

grassroots response to the city’s car-centric design and lack of safe routes for people

walking and biking.

A key early leader was Mark Martin, whose vision helped shape the group’s mission.

Martin believed that better bike infrastructure was about more than convenience—it was about safety, equity, and the long-term health of the community. Under his guidance, B.R.A.S.S. transitioned into Bike Baton Rouge, and the organization grew in both scope and influence.

Key Milestones

• 2006: B.R.A.S.S. is founded.

• 2011: Bike Baton Rouge contributes to the creation of Baton Rouge’s first Bicycle

  and Pedestrian Master Plan.

• 2013-2015: Bike Baton Rouge contributes to the creation of the City-Parish

• Complete Streets Advisory Committee and the Complete Streets policy that will

  shape new and updated City-Parish infrastructure

• 2015–2020: Plays a role in community engagement for the Government Street

  Road Diet, the Downtown Greenway, and other redesign efforts.

• 2022: Launches Bicycle Friendly Community workshops to align local

  infrastructure with national standards from the League of American Bicyclists.

• 2024: Bike Baton Rouge contributes to the updated Complete Streets Ordinance

  that upgrades the Complete Streets policy to an ordinance combining it with an

  updated Complete Streets Advisory Committee ordinance.

• Present Day: Continues to support safety and community engagement through

  sponsored events and partnerships with groups like the Downtown East Social

  Ride.

Doug Moore at the 2024 Cranksgiving event.

Leadership Over the Years

Bike Baton Rouge has been shaped by the work of numerous dedicated volunteers and

leaders:

• Mark Martin, founding advocate and early visionary;

• Doug Moore, for his policy insight and practical planning;

• Beaux Jones, for legal guidance transitioning B.R.A.S.S. as a legal entity to Bike

• Baton Rouge

• Mika Torkkola, for engineering expertise and data-informed advocacy;

• Tina Ufford, for expanding social rides and building inclusive events

  
  

Their efforts helped the organization gain recognition as a trusted voice in shaping a

safer, more people-focused Baton Rouge.

Light Up the Night

Light Up the Night is a bike safety campaign that began while Samantha Morgan served

on the Bike Baton Rouge board. The goal was simple: make cyclists more visible at

night by distributing free bike lights and safety gear—especially to those who rely on

bicycles for essential transportation and may not have access to proper equipment.

The campaign focuses on low-barrier outreach by meeting riders where they are: on

their routes, near transit stops, or along busy corridors. Volunteers install lights and

hand out reflective gear while educating riders about Louisiana’s laws requiring front

and rear lighting.

When Bike Baton Rouge briefly went on hiatus, Morgan carried the program forward

under the banner of the Downtown East Social Ride, ensuring it remained active and

accessible. Today, Bike Baton Rouge continues to sponsor Light Up the Night, helping

keep riders safe and seen.

Rides and Events

From the beginning, the organization knew the importance of being in front of the public.

Various methods were employed to engage the riding public.

• Themed rides: the Velo! Velo! Series included guided rides focusing on specific

  topics including trees, birds, history, public art, historic cemeteries, and more.

  These rides were often led by experts in that topic – ornithologists, historians,

  dendrologists, etc.

• Bike Corrals: Bike Baton Rouge provided free, staffed bike parking at public

  events. Peak parking occurred at a Blues Fest with over 300 bikes parked. Other

  events included Fest For All, Earth Day, and Live After Five.

Cranksgiving Baton Rouge

Cranksgiving is a national event that blends cycling with community service. Part

scavenger hunt, part food drive, it challenges riders to visit local grocery stores by bike

and purchase non-perishable food items, which are then donated to area food banks.

Bike Baton Rouge hosted Baton Rouge’s first Cranksgiving in 2016, under the

leadership of then board president Mika Torkkola. The event brings together cyclists of

all backgrounds to support neighbors in need during the holiday season.

In recent years, the event has been adopted by the Downtown East Social Ride, which

brings its signature energy and inclusiveness to the annual ride. While Downtown East

now organizes the event, Bike Baton Rouge continues to serve as an official sponsor,

helping promote the ride and grow its impact.

Cranksgiving remains one of the city’s most beloved cycling events—a celebration of

bikes, community, and giving back.

Looking Ahead

While Baton Rouge has made progress in bike infrastructure and awareness, many

challenges remain. High-speed roads, disconnected bike networks, and limited

infrastructure in underserved areas continue to make safe cycling difficult for many.

Although Bike Baton Rouge went on hiatus in 2023, the organization is regrouping and

forming a new board and remains committed to:

• Advocating for protected bike lanes and traffic calming;

• Supporting education and safety programs like Light Up the Night;

• Partnering with community organizations to increase access and equity;

• Hosting and sponsoring events that keep bike culture alive in the city.

  
  

Through steady advocacy and partnership with groups like Downtown East, Bike Baton

Rouge is helping shape a city where people of all ages and backgrounds can ride

safely, confidently, and joyfully.