Advocacy – State « Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance (CABA)

In and around Charlotte

Bike lanes coming to Uptown at S.Tryon overpass – Yes, for sure. The connector over I-277 should have lanes on both sides of the street and a widened sidewalk by December 31, of 2012 !

New Chairperson for BAC committee – Jane Cacchione, CABA Advisory Board member and a key player on the local bike scene has replaced CABA member Dick Winters. The Bicycle Advisory Committee advises the Mayor, City Council and County Council on bicycle policy and related isssues. Chris Gladora, also a CABA member, is the latest appointee. Welcome aboard Chris.

CABA to meet with NCDOT in Raleigh - In case you didn’t know, Paul Morris is the recently appointed Deputy Director of NCDOT (that’s about as good as it gets) and he oversees the entire bicycle and pedestrian planning staff. We hope to team up with other NC bike advocates to talk about the crisis in bike funding in the U.S. Congress and the NC “Complete the Streets” guidelines now under final review.

Solar panels on roof of IKEA – Thanks to Mary Hopper, University City Partners, who sent us this item. Yes, IKEA already has a huge set of bike racks, but they are now demonstrating further their commitment to the challenge of a new green economy. Panels should be in place later this year. Congratulations IKEA !

WANTED: Additional members to CABA Board of Directors – This is a real opportunity to contribute to the cause of safe and fun cycling for our community. We are especially interested in diversifying the board – women, minorities, young adults. Energy and enthusiasm a must ! Public relations skills, volunteer coordination, fundraising talent, or social events coordination are key skill needs. Contact us and tell us who you are: charlottebikes@gmail.org.

District 5 Councilman John Autry - John has been appointed chairperson of the Environmental Committee and member of the Transportation and Planning committee by Mayor Foxx. Both committees can have a huge impact on bicycling and walking in the Queen City. John is the first CABA member to be elected to public office in the Charlotte area.

Leave a Comment » | Advocacy - State, Bike lanes + infrastructure, Climate change C02 Clean Air, People, Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by martinzimmerman8

Don’t forget the MS-Ride to the Beach

Sept.- 25-26. Time is running out !

To register, pick the length of ride you want, overnight lodgings at reduced rates, sag wagon, free food and entertainment. Help raise over $1 million ! Celebrate the 27th year of this ride. Thanks to Jeff Viscount, CABA Board of Advisor member, and the legions of volunteers for all their hard work making this happen every year. CLICK: MS-150 to register

Leave a Comment » | Advocacy - Local, Advocacy - State, Events - Local | Permalink
Posted by martinzimmerman8

U.S. CYCLING CENTER BREAKS GROUND

March 25, 2011

Velodrome in Rock Hill

From Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine – Construction begins this month on the U.S. Cycling Center in Rock Hill, S.C. A world-class facility for five different cycling disciplines on a 1,000-acre site situated on the edge of the Catawba River. There will b 7 miles of singletrack, a cyclocross track, a 1.5-mile paved criterium course, a BMX Supercross track, and a 250-meter concrete velodrome. Velodromes are cycling tracks with 42-degree banked walls. They’re popular in Europe, but almost non-existent in the Southeast.

CABA Board of Advisor member, and founder of 24 Hours of Booty, Spencer Lueders, has played a key role an making this project a reality. Much thanks to Spencer and his peers ! And thanks to Andrew Israel for bringing this to our attention. Rock Hill council members are convinced that a comprehensive cycling center will attract two-wheelers and their wallets. For more info CLICK: Velodrome.

Leave a Comment » | Advocacy - Local, Advocacy - State, Bike lanes + infrastructure, Bike plans / planning | Permalink
Posted by martinzimmerman8

2011 NCDOT SAFETY SUMMIT

March 13, 2011

First time in a decade

Martin Zimmerman, Exec. Director of CABA joined Dick Winters, Dennis Rash (former member of Advisory Board to the NC Dept. of Transportation and Exec. in Residence at UNCC) , Ken Tippette and other local and state advocates and agency reps. met at the Government Center this month to discuss and rank issues such as: lack of funding, facilities and enforcement, culture clash between motorists and non-motorists, poor land planning and sprawl, etc. to reach some sort of consensus on the challenges ahead. More info coming later. Contact CABA to read the Summit outcomes.

Leave a Comment » | Advocacy - Local, Advocacy - State, Meetings | Permalink
Posted by martinzimmerman8

RECKLESS HOMICIDE IN S.C.

March 7, 2011

Charges rendered against driver

Cyclist’s death. Ten years in prison. Last month, the man who drove into a pack of 15 cyclists was charged with reckless homicide, which brings a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a mandatory five-year revocation of his driver’s licensae. After months of working with Charleston attorney Peter Wilborn of mybikelaw , a verdict was finally reached. Peter works in tandem with Charlotte attorney and CABA member Ann Groninger. He was guest speaker at the CABA annual picnic a few years ago.

The victim died after months in a coma. He was 38 years old. The group ride was a regular Friday night social that departed from Outspokin’ Bicycles in Augusta. at 6:40 p.m. NOTE: This news item borrowed in part from the League of American Bicyclists website.

2 Comments | Advocacy - National, Advocacy - State, Crash reports, Safety | Permalink
Posted by martinzimmerman8

NC BIKE + PEDESTRIAN SURVEY

January 15, 2011

Takes less than 5 minutes to finish

NC Dept. of Transportation wants citizen feedback in Charlotte and vicinity on bicycle andpedestrian safety issues. It .The results will be used later this year to help determine the public’s support for future investment in the state’s bicycle and pedestrian network. This is the first time we recall State government getting out there and asking what people’s needs and concerns really are.

CLICK: Survey. Do your part to advance the bike /ped. agenda.You are encouraged to circulate the survey to friends and colleagues who reside inNorth Carolina. Deadline is February 8.

Leave a Comment » | Advocacy - State, Bike lanes + infrastructure, Safety | Permalink
Posted by martinzimmerman8

STOLEN BIKES IN ASHEVILLE

January 8, 2011

Alert:Watch for these

We received this from: russjones3@yahoo.com >

1 -Specialized 2009 Epic Marathon: s# 04090110647
Silver and blue
Size: medium
Bontrager handle bar.
Mavic crossmax wheel set with WTB Weirwolf tires 2.2
Computer on the Handle Bars
Avid Juicy brakes, Sram shifters and rear derailleurs, Shimano Deore XT cranks, XTR casset and pedals, Rock Shock fork, Thompson seat post, black saddle, Specialized saddle bag.
Four stickers: one on the head tube: Adopt dog, top tube Nitro Fish and back of seat post small Adopt dog.

2 – Specialized 2008 epic marathon: s# 0304008135943
Black and white.
Size: medium
Bontrager race lite stem
Mavic crossmax wheel set with KENDA small block 8
Carbon S-works handle bar and S-works bar ends.

Contact: Asheville Police Officer RJ Ingle 828-259-5821; Contact :Asheville Police Detective Matt Davis 828-259-5926 Case # 11-000103

Leave a Comment » | Advocacy - Local, Advocacy - State | Permalink
Posted by martinzimmerman8

CABA IN ASHEVILLE

November 7, 2010

Joins affiliate groups in NC and SC

CABA Board Chair Dan Faris and Exec. Director Martin Zimmerman recently returned from a national “campaign” training session hosted by the Asheville Bicycle Coalition, and facilitated by Ron Milan, founder of our sister group in Los Angeles and Jeff Miller, CEO of the Alliance for Bicycling and Walking (ABW), which is CABA’s parent organization in Washington D.C. We learned tons of stuff on campaign goals, tactics and fundraising that have direct application to the Charlotte scene. Thanks to Spencer Lueders, Pamela Murray, Dick Winters and other CABA members who submitted 14 campaign proposals to take to Asheville.