Dateline: May 27, Op-ed piece by musician, artist and Bicycle Diaries author

Check out this illuminating essay by former Talking Head performer and a bicycle advocate who who makes it his habit to bike wherever he tours and lives a car-minimal life style in NY City  ….” More than 200 cities around the world have bike-share programs. We’re not the first, but ours will be one of the largest systems. The program will start with 420 stations spread through the lower half of Manhattan, Long Island City and much of western Brooklyn; eventually more than 10,000 bikes will be available. It will cost just under $10 for a day’s rental.”

Thanks to Mark Peres, President of Charlotte Viewpoint for alerting us to this inspirational item.

We are still waiting to hear from Charlotte Center City Partners to find out if and when bike share is to arrive in the Queen City. Michael Smith, CEO of CCCP, did mention at the Annual Mayor’s ride that a special announcement was coming soon. Presumably  significant progress is being made to secure funding, sign up a sponsoring partner and negotiate an agreement with a system supply and management company. But nothing official as yet. Stay tuned.

CLICK: Bike Share is no BS for Byrne’s full article, video and reader comments.

From Martin Zimmerman, Executive Director -

It has been eight years since assuming my post with CABA and a great ride it has been.  But the time has come to pass responsibilities onto others. It is my intention to vacate my post by the end of June. After that I hope to continue a commitment to a sustainable future through a variety of bicycle-related advocacy pursuits, some with higher profiles than others. It has been eight, great years, easily the most fun I have ever experienced, but all good things must come to an end.

To friends, colleagues, supporters and allies a heartfelt thank you for your support and encouragement along the way. Among other successes, CABA’s membership has grown five fold, and financial support has kept pace with this growth from a variety of sources – -  government, foundation, corporate, family and individual. But equally important, CABA’s reach in the community has expanded to new levels, perhaps most significantly, the granting of the 2012 first place award by Sustain Charlotte in the transportation category earlier in April – -  a gala celebration held at the new UNCC Uptown building.

Specific names and organizations to thank are too numerous to list. They include current Mayor Anthony Foxx, former Mayor Pat McCrory and former Chairperson of the CountyCommissioners, Jennifer Roberts, whose support for bicycling as an essential component of transportation policy has been unflinching. Thanks to Michael Smith, Debra Myers, Allison Billings and others with Charlotte Center City Partners, who, in concert with Planning Department Director, Debra Campbell and her capable staff are committed to a “City of Bikes” priority for the 2020 Center City Vision Plan. Thanks to those members of City Council who voted in favor of  the trend-setting 2007 Urban Street Design Guidelines and the 2008 city-wide bicycle plan, and who have consistently approved CIP funding for bike budgets. Thanks to Jim Garges, Gwen Cook and colleagues at theCountyParkand Recreation Department, who, on concert with Ann Browning and others, are putting more and more bicycles on greenways and the ever-expanding Carolina Thread Trail. Thanks to the many grassroots partnering organizations with whom I have had personal contact, ranging from the Sierra Club, to Clean Air Carolina to Green Drinks; to neighborhood groups and their representatives, especially those within eco-districts; to Chancellor Phil DuBois and staff at UNCC who are committed to a mission of sustainability that reaches far beyond the enviable campus setting.

A word of appreciation to the many folks in the bicycling community itself – - ranging from bike shop owners and employees to the myriad members of cycling clubs and groups – - Dirt Divas, Trailblazers, MoJos, Jeff Viscount’s Weekly Rides, Attorney Ann Groninger of “mybikelaw”, Harry Johnson and Paula Fricke of Trips for Kids, and many, many others. And perhaps most of all, the individuals who put in countless hours of time simply because they have a passion and commitment to a cause. People like Pamela Murray, a CABA “member of the month” and Plaza Midwood activist; Rich Haag, Shane Hockensmith, and Ray Atkinson for their invaluable assistance in University City;  Jane Cacchione and members of the Bicycle Advisory Committee; CABA members Josh and Jamie Rimany, proprietors of Dilworth Drug, which offers discounts to customers who ride bikes to their establishment; Haley Beaupre for taking a lead on bike share.

To numerous corporate entities -  – Harris Teeter, Bank of America, Food Lion, the Crosland company and others who have approved the installation of 87 bike racks on their properties throughout the city of Charlotte.

And last but not least, a very, very special thank you to Dan Faris, CABA Board chairperson and Kelly Picarsic, membership coordinator, for going the extra mile at a 24/7 pace !

You all have my continued respect and trust.

Here’s to better days for CABA and its evolving mission; but most importantly, the community it serves !

As Safe Routes to School Coordinator for Mecklenburg County Health. Department, Dick has recently added “Let’s Ride to SafetyTown” to his list of programs.“Safety Town” is made possible by an ongoing grant from the Carolinas Healthcare System Foundation, and it has been operating in CMS for 23 years. This is a program for kindergarten students where they ride “scoot” bikes (no pedals, no training wheels!) to learn how to balance on 2 wheels.  It commenced last November and continues through the school year, engaging 65 elementary schools.   Dick is also a member of the CABA Advisory Board, the Advisory Board to the Char-Meck. Dept. of Parks and Recreation, the Board of the North Carolina  Active Transportation Alliance and other civic ventures. Thank you Dick for your tireless efforts and passion for the cause ! Contact info: .704 432-4596 or dick.winters@carolinas.org.

In Pamela’s own words: “I bike commute to work every day.  I have found that bicycling is fun, effective, and really good exercise.  I believe bicycling builds community as well.  I am organizing Charlotte’s 2nd BikeFest in Plaza Midwood –  May 12 on Thomas Avenue. It’s in the spirit of “ciclovias” where streets are closed to auto traffic.  These days I am retired from BofA, and I ride regularly with convenient basket panniers.

My small group of casual neighborhood cyclists meet onTuesdays at 7:30 in Plaza Midwood. Contact me at: pjoe@carolina.rr.com to be added to the rider/Plaza Midwood e-mail list.  We have a great time and hope to share our love of cycling with you.”

Executive Director, Martin Zimmerman met last week in Buenos Aires with Andres Fingeret and Clara Rasore of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and Matias Kalwill, founder and director of the CABA’s sister organization, La Vida en Bici (“Life on Bicycle”). Martin is checking out the local bike scene in the context of overall sustainable transportation solutions. Lots of new on-road paths just built in a city infamous for its past aversion to the power of two wheels.  Photo above shows the popularity of the  ”Bicing” yellow bike share cycles in the Ricoleta district. Martin returns to Charlotte in time for the Urban Assault Ride this Sunday.

There were 350 goofy and gaudy riders the first year... and 598 last year. But we can do much better this year ! So flutter your wings. It's all about the buzz.

Stop by the Trips for Kids / CABA booth !

CABA will be a recipient of event day proceeds again this year  compliments of New Belgium Brewery

• 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.

Francisco Montero, expert mechanic now with TrySports teaching bike fundamentals / august 2011

]]> http://charlottebikes.org/2012/01/06/a-typical-caba-monthly-forum/feed/ 0 martinzimmerman8 2 CABA Forum Francisco 8.8.11 http://charlottebikes.org/2012/01/05/caba-monthly-forum-sept-6/ http://charlottebikes.org/2012/01/05/caba-monthly-forum-sept-6/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:30:22 +0000 martinzimmerman8 http://charlottebikes.org/?p=7917 ]]> Come schmooze with us 

View this YouTube video..

…then pass it on.

A brilliant analogy – presenting the thesis that “the computer is the bicycle for our minds“.

A younger Steve Jobs speaks on memory and the imagination for a Library of Congress documentary

Thank you to Treehugger online and others for letting us know.

And his more recent comments at the commencement exercises of Stanford University:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.

Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.

And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

*                 *                *

Steve Jobs’  inventive genius, commitment and profound passion to causes larger than himself will be sorely missed.

]]> http://charlottebikes.org/2011/10/15/in-memoriam-steve-jobs/feed/ 0 martinzimmerman8 steve jobs