Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance (CABA)

martinzimmerman8 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:54 +0000

* Weekly News and Views *

Your go-to source for people, events and advocacy

OUR MISSION: Transforming Community through Everyday Cycling

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Sat. Feb. 4

martinzimmerman8 — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:00:02 +0000

CABA Annual Meeting !

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. Ends at 1 p.m.

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

Who: You ! (open to all comers).

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 propose action items to transform Uptown and the 16 contiguous neighborhoods into a model “City of Bikes”. To include audience Q + A.

* Lunchtime catering will be provided *

NEWS FLASH! – CABA ANNUAL SURVEY

martinzimmerman8 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:00:01 +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.

The deadline for filing is midnight Monday, January 30. 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.

URBAN ASSAULT RIDE RETURNS – April 1, 2012

martinzimmerman8 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:30:36 +0000

There were 350 goofy and gaudy riders the first year... and 598 last year. But we can much do 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.

To register on-line, CLICK: UAR 2012.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

martinzimmerman8 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:00:19 +0000

Through May 2012

Mark your calendars !

CABA monthly Forums - at Kickstand Burgers and Bar – Feb. 7, 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

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.

PEOPLE AND HAPPENINGS

martinzimmerman8 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:04:15 +0000

In and around Charlotte

Cycle Track in Uptown - maybe. We hear that a consultant contract is being negotiated to study the feasibility of Charlotte’s first two-way “cycletrack” along 3d Street from the new Little Sugar Creek Greenway and CPCC thru Uptown to Irwin Creek Greenway.
”Bike Share” update - CABA has been informed that discussions are taking place for outside vendors and sponsors for a bike share program on or before the DNC convention in Sept. 2012 but nothing is firm as yet. More news upcoming. Stay tuned !
Bad News: Update on $10 million Federal “Tiger Grant” application for a major urban/suburban bike trail - Unfortunately, Charlotte did not make the cut. This could have been a big one . It could have leveraged another $20 million to build a trail connecting Little Sugar Creek NE to Tobey Creek at UNCC and from there all the way to Cabarus County as a major link in the unfolding Carolina Thread Trail system. There were over 800 applicants !
Green lanes for Charlotte ? – CDOT has received tentative approval from national certifiers to construct some “green lanes” as an experiment. This is big news, and if you have ridden on them elsewhere you may have experince the secure feeling it is to be on one. BTW: In other cities they are also blue and red. As long as they are bright who cares !? CLICK: GoGreen to see a video of Brooklyn, New York’s test lane.

NEWS FLASH! – FAREWELL SMOOT AND SODA

martinzimmerman8 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:15:47 +0000

Ilan Paltrow passes the torch

Which one has the higher IQ ?

It’s hard to believe, after 13 years of providing service to the bike community in so many ways – through his bike shop Bicycle Sport and his many civic activities, Ilan (and his faithful companion, Soda) are calling it quits (at least for a while). Ben Cooley and his wife Kerri Cooley will be the new managers of his shop.

Drop by on Saturday, Jan. 14, 5-8 p.m. for a farewell party ! Thank you, Ilan for all you have done for cycling in Charlotte !

A TYPICAL CABA MONTHLY FORUM

martinzimmerman8 — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:21:24 +0000

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

CABA MONTHLY FORUM – Tonight ! Tues. Jan.10

martinzimmerman8 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:30:22 +0000

Come schmooze with us

GUEST SPEAKER: Martin Zimmerman, CABA Exec. Director

Topic: Bike Sharing in Europe and USA – Lessons for Charlotte

Many of you know that Martin traveled to Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg in October where he tested the systems and met with key cycling advocates, system representatives and government hosts. Here is your chance to become an expert with your draft beer in hand ! (For past posts enter “bike share” in the Search box.)

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. Bike parking available ! 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.