June « 2009 « Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance (CABA)

JOHN COCK JOINS ALTA DESIGN

June 20, 2009

Congratulations John

John leads annual CABA meeting '08

A long time CABA supporter (BIKES steering committee member 1999-2005), co-founder of Charlotte’s Bike Commuter Mentor Program, and the very capable facilitator of CABA annual planning meeting has recently opened the Charlotte /Southeast U.S. office for Alta Planning and Design, a nationally based bicycle and pedestrian planning firm with offices in Portland Ore., Berkeley Cal., Boston and other cities. Alta also advises the League of American Bicyclists on its Bicycle Friendly Communities program. John can be reached at johncock@altaplanning.com.

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Posted by martinzimmerman8

BIKE SAFETY TIPS

June 20, 2009

How not to get hit by cars

Following the text of law is not nearly good enough to avoid crashes says Michael Bluejay on his excellent website. Read the basics. Nice and brief too. Applies to Charlotte without any doubt.

Click: Survival kit

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Posted by martinzimmerman8

BIG APPLE SAYS “NO” TO CARS

June 20, 2009

This is for real – in the heart of Manhattan !

NYTimes article – “The new five-block-long mall is the largest of a series of such spaces that now stretch from the Theater District down to Herald Square and Madison Square Park. Conceived by the city’s transportation commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan, the plan is partly inspired by the redevelopment of downtown Copenhagen, many of whose medieval streets and plazas have been closed off to cars in the past decade.

Since becoming commissioner two years ago Ms. Sadik-Khan has also created some 200 miles of new bike paths throughout the city. A year ago she closed down traffic lanes between 42nd Street and Herald Square to create a series of public esplanades...”

Yellow birds and base fiddles and bicyclists

Hey Queen City: what if Tryon or Trade Street were closed to autos every Sunday ?

For terrific photos and full article click: Closing traffic lanes

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Posted by martinzimmerman8

NEWS FLASH ! FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS

June 14, 2009

CABA qualifies for Federal Block Grants

Queen City a “Green City ?” - At the Environmental Town Hall meeting last Thursday, CABA received confirmation along with other non-profits that they would qualify for Federal Stimulus money flowing to Charlotte and other cities nationwide. According to Rob Phocas Assist. City Attorney and City Block Grant coordinator, preparations for grant submissions will begin this Fall. CABA intends to be part of that process. Thanks to Republican City Councilman-at-large Edwin Peacock, and Chair of the City Council Environmental Committee for organizing and moderating this important gathering.

Edwin Peacock - an ally for green cause (even though his power tie is red)

For full summary click: Town Hall Meeting

For a refreshing op-ed piece in the Observer by Councilman Peacock click: Words from a Peacock

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Posted by martinzimmerman8

CITY COUNCIL BIKE BUDGET – NO SWEAT

June 8, 2009

2010 bicycle budget is safe and sound

CABA has checked with the City Manager’s office and CDOT staff. They tell us that all bike funds come out of bond money and not annual budgets. But the future may be even brighter because the bike budget to be submitted for the 2010 bond issue may be double the current level. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for 2010.Thanks to Danny Pleasant and staff of CDOT for keeping bicycling high on the $$$ agenda.

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NEW MEMBER PROFILE

June 7, 2009

Daniel Bennett

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. I live on the bike. I spend like 13 to 17 hours on my bike weekly and it does me well. its the only way to be green for me anyway. I’ve been riding since 1997. That’s when cycling really became my passion.

Ride, Captain ride...upon your mystery ship...

I have biked in 7 states and one foreign country ( South Korea) My bike has two names “The Tank” and “Big Daddy” and its a “she” So ladies don’t fault me for that please thats just the way it is. If you wanna name my bike for me you can but it has to be a good one.

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.

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Posted by martinzimmerman8