How It All Started
B.I.K.E.S. of Charlotte Mecklenburg was founded in 1997 by Dan Faris, currently CABA Board of Directors Chairperson, Rob Cannon, John Cock and many other advocates.
Early successes included the 1999 city-wide Bicycle Master Plan and Suitability Map and the subsequent hiring of a full-time Bicycle Program Manager to the Charlotte Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) staff.
New Name, Broader Vision
We’re not B.I.K.E.S. of Charlotte Mecklenburg anymore – a name change took in the summer of 2007 in order to better represent the widest possible spectrum of individual and community interests.
Our Advocacy Strategy
We advocate for all who cycle or wish to cycle.
Whether rich or poor, families or individuals – – anyone from toddlers to senior citizens – - from mountain bikers to roadies, novices to club riders , commuters, greenway cyclists – anyone with a bike collecting dust in the garage.
We make sure a progressive bicycling agenda is a community-wide priority
We support implementation of the City-Wide Bicycle Master Plan, whereby a total system of hundreds of miles of on-road and off-road bicycling is envisioned.
We promote national and state and local programs such as “Safe Routes to Schools”, “Complete the Streets”, and “Share the Road” programs.
We help sponsor ongoing programs in bike safety and education. We have access to legal expertise specifically oriented to bicyclists’ needs.
We endorse biking on greenways and other off-road trails as part of a total transportation and recreation system.
We want everyone the opportunity to bicycle whenever and however they want – - for mental and physical health – - clean air and energy independence – - transportation parity – - household budgets. Biking to work, school or just plain fun !
Dan Faris-CABA Chairman, Martin Zimmerman-Exec. Director and Mayor Pat McCrory
We have friends in high places
GOVERNMENT: Charlotte City Council, Office of the Mayor, County Board of Commissioners, Bank of America, Duke Power, City Dept. of Transportation, Charlotte Area Transit System, County Dept. of Parks and Recreation, local bike shops and bike clubs, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC).
BUSINESSES and CIVIC : Charlotte Center City Partnership, Chamber of Commerce, Dowd YMCA, OrthoCarolina, MS Society, 24 Hours of Booty, Dilworth Community Association, University City Partnership, and the Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte.
The media like us
Coverage by FOX-TV, WSOC-9, WFAE radio, NBC-6, WCNC, Dr. Traffic – Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Weekly, Creative Loafing.
We have fun
What’s advocacy without some fun too ? CABA participates in the Annual Cycle Charlotte Festival, Annual “BIKE! Charlotte” events, bike valet parking service at annual Quail Hollow Championship Golf Tournament, our summer picnic and more.
WE ARE your platform for your voice to be heard, your conduit for a bicycle friendly community. We are your representative for all of our shared interests. Unity and success can only come from a broad membership and volunteer base. Your MEMBERSHIP is key to success.
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CABA is designated by the IRS as a tax exempt, 501- (c) (3) non-profit corporation. All contributions are tax-deductible.
