Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance (CABA)

martinzimmerman8 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:54 +0000

* Weekly News and Views *

Your go-to source for people, events and advocacy

OUR MISSION: Transforming Community through Everyday Cycling

CABA ANNUAL SURVEY – Due today – Feb. 8

martinzimmerman8 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:05:01 +0000

Put your head where your heart is

THIRD ANNUAL SURVEY OF BICYCLE USER NEEDS - It is time again to take a reading of the community – cyclists and non-cyclists alike. This survey is being sent to several thousand area residents. The goal is to gauge the public’s needs, habits, and desires. We invite you to take a few minutes to complete our survey. We also encourage you to forward it onto people you know.

Deadline extended till Wednesday, Feb. 8. Results will be shared with all interested parties including civic leadership and government agencies, and will be available on the CABA website and Facebook. You need not be a cyclist to fill out this survey.

PEOPLE AND HAPPENINGS

martinzimmerman8 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:15:05 +0000

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 the end 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 to the BAC. Welcome aboard Chris !

CABA to meet Paul Morris in Raleigh - In case you didn’t know, Mr. Morris is the new Deputy Director of NCDOT (that’s about as good as it gets) and reportedly a friend of bicyclists. We hope to team up with others across the state to talk seriously about how to deal with the crisis in bike funding in the U.S. Congress.

Solar panels at IKEA – Not only does IKEA in University City have a huge set of bike racks and off-road pedestrian and cycle connectivity through their parking lot to their front door sidewalk, they are now going even further to address the challenge of a new green economy. 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, and under 35 candidates. Graphic design skills to help with website and special design needs, public relations skills to help with CABA volunteer coordination and promote the CABA brand, and someone to bring the CABA successful bike valet service to the next plateau would be a great match to our mission and needs.

Councilman John Autry – a true friend of cyclists – John, a loyal CABA member and newly elected District 5 Councilperson 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.

URBAN ASSAULT RIDE RETURNS – April 1, 2012

martinzimmerman8 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:36 +0000

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.

It’s been moved to April Fool’s Day !

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

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CABA needs 9 volunteers

Get a FREE CABA memberships, a FREE organic T-shirt, FREE Fat Tire Ale, and FREE grub for 3-4 hours of your time. To volunteer on-line, CLICK: CABA 2012. NOTE: Use this link instead of the UAR website to volunteer.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

martinzimmerman8 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:19 +0000

Through May 2012

Mark your calendars !

CABA monthly Forums - at Kickstand Burgers and Bar – Mar. 6, Apr. 3, May 8.
BIKE! Charlotte – 16 days of rides, rodeos, tours and special events held throughout the City of Charlotte. Begins with the Annual Mayor’s Ride – April 27- May 13.
Bicycle Advisory Committee – Citizen appointed group which advises the Mayor, City Council and County Council. Membership open to the general public. Great opportunity to stay current on city sponsored bicycle projects and planning. 7th Floor main conference room, Char-Meck. Government Center. Jan. 24, Feb. 28, Mar. 27, Apr. 23, May 22. Staffed by Ken Tippette, CDOT Bicycle Program Manager.
League of American Bicyclists Annual Summit – Washington D.C. – Mar 20-22. Join representatives from all over from North Carolina, including bike shop owners, club reps, advocacy groups and individuals. The biggest and baddest national bicycle happening ! Y0ur chance to lobby all NC Congressional offices on Capitol Hill. CABA will be there.
National Bike Month - May 2012
National Bike to Work Week - May 14-18

ANDY SINGER CARTOON…

martinzimmerman8 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:45:23 +0000

CABA MONTHLY FORUM TONIGHT ! – Tues. Feb.7

martinzimmerman8 — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:09:00 +0000

Come schmooze with us !

GUEST SPEAKER:

Shannon Binns, Exec. Director / Sustain Charlotte

Topic: Sustainability = bicycling

Shannon launched Sustain Charlotte in November 2010 with a huge press conference at Trade and Tryon with guest speakers Mayor Foxx, County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts and other movers and shakers. Hearing about his far-sighted vision for the region is a must for anyone concerned with climate change, resource depletion and global stagnation. Among his many civic ventures, Shannon is a member of the sustainability advisory committee to the 2012 DNC political convention.

LOCATION: Kickstand Burgers -n-Bar (includes vegetarian choices and Fat Tire Ale ) – 1101 Central Avenue at Heath Court a few blocks towards Uptown from Plaza Midwood. We have a relaxed, quiet meeting room to the right of the front entry. Ample bike racks. CLICK: Mapquest.

TIME: 6:30 – 8 p.m. Meet kindred spirits. You don’t have to be a CABA member to participate. Meetings start and end on time.

POST MEETING BIKE RIDE: Bring your lights and helmet. Ride led by CABA member Pamela Murray.

NEWS FLASH ! BIKE-PEDS LOSE IN D.C.

martinzimmerman8 — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:20:03 +0000

Partisanship triumphs once again

DATELINE: 8:41 a.m. Feb. 3 -

The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee yesterday voted down the bipartisan Petri/Johnson/Lipinski amendment that would have fixed many of the deficiencies in the House transportation bill, particularly as they relate to the “Transportation Enhancements” ( a major source of traditional bike-ped funding ) and the “Safe Routes to School” programs. “Safe Routes to Schools” is currently administered locally through the Mecklenburg County Health Dept.

The vote as expected was along party lines, with 29 Republicans voting against funding (2 Republicans in favor, including the amendment cosponsors).

But all is not lost. This was a committee vote. It may not be the nail in the coffin.

See how Congresspersons voted now.

Please phone NC Rep. Shuler and thank him for his support.

NC Rep.Coble voted with the Republican majority.

Rep. Heath Shuler – Democrat -225.6401 (area code 202)

Rep. Howard Coble – Republican – 225.3065 (area code 202)

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TECHNICAL DETAILS:

The bill contains changes to two of the three core programs for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; one program remains intact:
1) The Recreational Trails program is consistent with the structure under SAFETEA-LU. Funding is established at $85 million for each of fiscal years 2013 – 2016.

2) The Safe Routes to School Program is eliminated in its entirety.
Eliminating the SRtS program means the loss of $180 million per fiscal year for infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects to support walking and bicycling as modes of transportation for children to school, as well as the established institutional support of the SRtS coordinators at each state DOT.

3)    The Transportation Enhancement activities remain eligible under the Surface Transportation Program, but the 10 percent set-aside of apportioned funds is stricken.Eliminating dedicated funding for transportation enhancement activities means these projects will have to “compete” for prioritization with all other surface transportation projects in regional and state planning processes. The following activities which were eligible under SAFETEA-LU are eliminated:
a.    Acquisition of scenic or historic easements, including battlefields
b.    Historic preservation
c.    Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation facilities
d.    Preservation of abandoned railway corridors
e.    Establishment of transportation museums
These five categories combined comprise 24% of all state DOT project programming of TE activities since 1992. Eliminating these activities will significantly restrict the flexibility state DOTs have relied upon in the past to enhance the nation’s surface transportation system. This is especially true for the two most popular activities of these five singled out for elimination, rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation facilities (9.4% of all TE activity) and preservation of abandoned railway corridors (7.2%).

Outside of the three core programs, there are two other noticeable provisions of this bill for pedestrian, bicycle and trail interests:
1) Funding for the CMAQ program is moved to the new “Alternative Transportation Account,” which was previously the Mass Transit Account.
2) The ability of state DOTs to use CMAQ or STP apportionments to fund bicycle and pedestrian coordinator positions is stricken. Eliminating the bicycle and pedestrian coordinator positions represents a huge step backward for state DOTs. It passes more of the burden of administering federal-aid highway programs directly to them.

TODAY! – Feb. 4

martinzimmerman8 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:11:02 +0000

CABA Annual Meeting !

Celebrating 13 years of bicycle advocacy

9 a.m.- 1 p.m. / Dowd YMCA / 7th floor

What: Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance Annual Meeting – Your chance to review the last year’s successes and help set our agenda for the rest of 2012. This is your chance to both learn and participate. We are especially interested in folks willing to volunteer in the months ahead to help our shared visions become reality.

When: Saturday – Feb. 4 – 8:30 a.m. (Sign-in and schmooze). Meeting starts promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Do wd Y MCA - 7th floor conference room. Bicycle racks at front and rear of building.

Who: You ! (open to all comers).

Special Guest Speakers:

Ken (KT) Tippette - CDOT bicycle program manager – KT has been at his desk for 8 years tackling the big issues and small details, all the stuff that goes towards making Charlotte a first-class bicycle friendly community. KT will highlight recent projects and offer some clues to the challenges that lie ahead. Time is set aside for audience discussion.
Cheryl Myers – Senior VP for Planning and Development/Charlotte Center City Partners. Cheryl will present a brief overview of the Center City 2020 Vision Plan approved by City Council last fall, and suggest action items to transform Uptown and the 16 contiguous neighborhoods into a model “City of Bikes”. To include audience Q + A.

Additional speaker topics:

Light rail bike/ped. trail to UNCC (John Cock or Maya Aagarwal/Alta Design); - Regional bike/ped. trail - Uptown to Mooresville (Gwen Cook/Park and Rec.Dept ); The Adam Little Foundation legislative petition campaign (Debbie Thompson); Safe Routes to Schools /”Safety Town Program” ( Dick Winters/County Health Dept .

* Mid-morning coffee and pastry and lunchtime catering will be provided *

* $100 BIKE SHOP GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE LUCKY WINNER ! *

NEWS FLASH ! – GOOD NEWS FROM U.S.CONGRESS

martinzimmerman8 — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:57 +0000

“Complete the Streets” bill

A new federal transportation authorization bill will include a measure for the safe accommodation of all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians, in federally funded street projects. The bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to create national standards for the safe accommodation of all road users. The bill is now awaiting passage of the full Fiscal Year 2012 budget. Charlotte has been ahead of the curve with its own version – the ”Urban Street Design Guidelines” -(passed by City Council with strong CABA support) – .

For more details, CLICK: CTS legislation.