Are you interested in joining us ?
CABA encourages the widest possible diversity of interests, age level, gender, ethnic and racial backgrounds to join our Board. What better way to represent the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community….
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Martin Zimmerman / Executive Director
As Executive Director, Martin wears many hats from fundraising and member development to website coordination. Martin has been an officer of CABA since late 2004.He represents CABA to the League of American Bicyclists, the largest national bicycle organization in the U.S. and the Alliance for Biking and Walking, which services 140 bicycle advocacy groups nationwide. Martin learned the hard way , biking through snow to class at the University of Michigan. He has kept the everyday bike habit while living in St. Louis , Cambridge , Mass. , metro Washington D.C., western Massachusetts (burr!) and finally landing in Charlotte.
As the first campus architect/planner for UNC Charlotte, Martin successfully obtained a grant from NCDOT for bike facilities and incorporated bicycling into the Campus Master Plan process. Earlier, as an architectural and planning consultant, he helped on the early stages of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, a commuter link from downtown Washington D.C. to the Maryland suburbs. He has also served on the Exec. Board for a rail-trail connecting Vermont to Connecticut through the Berkshire mountains.
In 2005, after his 4 x 4 Takoma was towed to its final resting place, Martin vowed to never own a motor vehicle again, Now he relies on his trusty rusty Trek, walks, or takes CATS buses (and on very rare occasions he borrows his wife’s blue Beetle).
Dan Faris / Chairman
Dan is a native Charlottean having attended CMS schools and taught English in the CMS system for thirty years. Dan did not get serious about cycling until he retired in 1996 (he had been a runner until then).
He quickly perceived that something had to be done about the not-so-friendly roads of Charlotte . This led him to attend a public meeting at the Government Center about the relationship of city government to cycling needs and interests.There was an unexpected groundswell of enthusiasm and interest shown that night.In early 1997, after subsequent meetings took place, Rob Cannon and Dan took on the co-leadership of Charlotte ’s first bicycle advocacy group appropriately named “CABA”, and a new era of bicycle advocacy for Charlotte was launched.
Dan enjoys a combination of recreational riding inhis neighborhood,some organized rides, and riding once in awhile as a true means of transportation. His wife, Helen, has put her foot down, so he doesn’t ride at night (her concern is not bad roads or aggressive motorists, but muggers!).
Dan will continue to help CABA in the hopes that he (and others like him) will see Charlotte become a truly safe, bicycle- friendly community .
Many of Bill’s friends remark that he bears a
striking resemblance to Lance Armstrong, an assertion that Bill vehemently denies.
Bill grew up in Charlotte and had his first bicycle ride as a child, learning to ride by the “push-and-pray” method. Later in life, Bill rediscovered bicycling when he was given a hybrid bicycle. Eventually he purchased a real road bike and he uses it as a wonderful way to get exercise, see the world and meet people.
Bill is a “recreational roadie”, riding in Charlotte and occasionally in timed rides, charity rides, and out-of-town rides with friends. He also enjoys riding in Watauga County where the roads are less traveled and the climbs substantially more challenging. Bill is no stranger to crashes (three total), and that is why his objectives as a CABA board member are to improve bicycling for Charlotte area residents: 1) make the riding environment safer and more pleasant for cyclists, and 2) educate cyclists and drivers about the correct and safest way to ride bicycles and to accommodate them safely on our streets.
Bill recently retired from Premier Inc and lives in the Quail Hollow neighborhood.
Daniel Bennett / Member BOD
a combination of group rides, work miles as a courier and me just commuting everywhere.Its the only way to be green for me anyway. I have biked in 7 states and one foreign country ( South Korea). I also work as a bike messenger in Uptown Charlotte and have been doing it for over three years,and I am also working with Charlotte NC Tours. Bike advocacy and CABA are new area for me. I have always thought that you you have to have a presence on the roads to make a difference but I now realize that you have to work with the people who get things done to make an even greater impact.”
Weldon Weaver / Member BOD
Weldon learned to ride a bicycle in New Jersey from the neighborhood kids using the “push-into-the-pole method.” He turned and missed the pole. Now he makes avoiding poles, pot-holes, train tracks and cars part of his daily regime commuting to work.
Weldon believes strongly that this is an exciting time for cycling in America. The monetary price of gas, the ecological price of gas and the political price of gas is a powerful justification for a cycling as a logical choice. He joined CABA to collaborate on solutions with like-minded people and get involved in enhancing the cycling experience of his neighbors.
Weldon spent 2007 in four cities – London, Dublin, San Jose, CA and Charlotte. Only one city is dominated by large SUVs and has only a handful of commuter cyclists. (guess which one !). He feels qualified to help CABA and the Charlotte community identify and communicate local cycling infrastructure deficiencies.
As a natural critical thinker, he’s quick to dial 3-1-1 and report transportation issues or speak at a City Council meeting. Weldon has a large portfolio of digital cycling related photos on Flickr.com – - many from his extensive travels.
Max the Mighty / Member BOD
Following Max’s nomination by Mark Sumwalt (Dad)
and Ann Groninger (Mom) the 
Board met in a closed door session to decide if the bylaws could be interpreted to admit members who are under the legal drinking age. Their decision was a resounding “YES” as announced at the 2009 CABA annual picnic. Max is serious about life’s pursuits. Rumor has it that his personal day-care trainer has him on a special diet and workout regimen to prep for his first century ride.
Remarks Max: ” I’ve always felt that CABA’s Board needs to be energized by a new generation of activists. All they’ve got now is a bunch of old farts.”
