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November 24, 2009

UNC Charlotte Urban Institute estimates that over 300,000 bicycles are gathering dust in the garages of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Isn’t it time they took to the streets, greenways and trails of our community ?

Send us your comments, photos or articles so we can share them.

This is YOUR blog. You are the community voice of bicycle advocacy.

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WELCOME DANIEL BENNETT

November 24, 2009

CABA’s newest Board of Director Member

“I have  lived in Charlotte for a little over four years.  I put in about 10 to 12 thousand miles a year. Now that’s a combination of group rides, work miles as a courier and me just commuting everywhere.Its the only way to be green for me anyway. I have biked in 7 states and one foreign country ( South Korea). I also work as a bike messenger in Uptown Charlotte and have been doing it for over two years. Bike advocacy and CABA are new area for me. I have always thought that you you have to have a presence on the roads to make a difference but I now realize that you have to work with the people who get things done to make an even greater impact.”
Ride baby ride...like a mystery ship

TOBY CREEK GREENWAY ON TRACK

November 24, 2009

Long-delayed construction to begin

Construction start expected by end of December. The planned 1.5-mile portion will extend from the Town Center shopping (location of Bike Line Cycles !) at Harris and Univ. City Blvd. up the middle of the UNC Charlotte campus before joining with Mallard Creek Greenway near North Tryon Street for another 7.1 miles of trails. A half-mile spur will provide access to retail at The Shoppes at University Place. Thanks to Gwen Cook and others at Char-Meck Dept. of Park and Rec for making this happen. Toby Creek Greenway ultimately connect to the NE Lynx light-rail.   CLICK: Site Plan for rendered view.


THANK YOU CORPORATE SPONSORS

November 24, 2009

The Hawley Co. USA and Bike Line

Generous first time contributors to CABA. The Hawley Company is a leading bike parts and accessories distributor in SC, and Bike Line cycles services its customer base from its University City location across from the UNCC campus. Special thanks to Shane Hockensmith at Bike Line and Tony Wagster at the Hawley Company.


BIKE SALE – CABA FUNDRAISER

November 24, 2009

Two matched Takara Overland touring bikes

Top Tube:  57cm center to center.Chain Stay: 44cm center of BB to center of dropout.  Fork Rake: 5cm.Seatube: 73º.Head Tube: 73ºShimano derailleurs.Suntour shifters. DiaCompe cantilever brakes w/ drilled out levers. Sugino GT triple cranks 170mm 50/45/286-speed cluster 13-30Araya 27×1 1/4 rims.Both bikes have a high flange rear hub with 40 spokes 4 cross and low flange front hub with 36 spokes 4 cross. Bikes are original and carry the scars of bikes over 30 years old. Bikes will be professionally packed by Bicycle Sport in Charlotte.  Buyer(s) will pay shipping costs.  Continental US shipping only please.

Bike A has Suzue hubs. Pictures are here:
http://homepage.mac.com/cole thornton/Takara%20A/
Click on any thumbnail for a larger image.

Bike B has Jou Yu hubs and may be seen here:
http://homepage.mac.com/cole_thornton/Takara%20B/

Asking price is $400.00 per bike or best offer. Proceeds go to CABA.  All offers will be considered. Contact CABA member John Autryjaut@juanboy.com if you’re interested.


BofA GOES GREEN…..

November 24, 2009

Or is this “greenwashing”

Bofa1 Bank of America Center almost complete: Behind the BofA headquarters and next to the new Ritz-Carleton. The good news is that it will be the first real commitment in Uptown Charlotte to in-building bike facilities. We’re talking 200 or more racks, showers and changing spaces.

The bad news (it’s hidden behind the tower !)  is the 12-story parking deck. Is this “green” or is this “greenwashing?” You decide.

To see their seductive video, CLICK: BofA “green:” tower, and open “Overview”.


CABA MONTHLY FORUM

November 24, 2009

Come join us – Monday Dec 7

Plaza Midwood Public Library meeting room– 6:30 – 8 pm.  Meet kindred spirits. You don’t have to be a CABA member to participate. Bike rack out front. Meetings start and end on time.

Guest Speaker – Harry Johnson of Trips for Kids and the (bicycle) Recyclery (CLICK:  icon on right column of this page).  He will give an update on what both groups are doing. Harry is a Charlotte native and long-time leader and advocate for bicycling.


Free maps will be handed out to all attendees.

Do you have a guest speaker in mind or a topic to discuss ? Let us know via the “Leave a Comment” bubble below.


VOLUNTEERS WANTED

November 24, 2009

Northeast LYNX light rail corridor planning

Alta Design – bike / ped consultants will begin working with the bicycle community in early 2010 to devise a vision for LYNXbikepath viewtoUptown6.09a safe and secure bike route along the rail corridor planned from Uptown to NoDa to UNCC and beyond. In the meantime, CABA is forming a small team to scope out some priorities. A big chance to advance the bicycle agenda.  Use the comment bubble below if you wish to join the team.


BIKE BOOM AT WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

November 15, 2009

Save money, be cool and ride a bike

This one is from a recent Observer article. So many bikes and too few racks. They’re giving citations. We observe that UNCC has also had a big jump in bicyclists. Cost too much to park in their decks. CLICK: Bike Boom for more details.


VIEW FROM SEATTLE

November 15, 2009

From last month’s CABA fact-finding tour

This is the I-90 interstate bridge connecting Seattle to Mercer Island. I cycled it.  It’s over a mile long. There is a bike tunnel at the far end that leads directly to the bike lane (cycle path) shown below.  Once you’re on, just pedal to your heart’s content. Spectacular views. Who says you can’t mix cycling and 65-mph traffic ?

I-90 bridge aerial I-90 bridge Seattle