CABA ON THE MIKE COLLINS SHOW

Listen to the Podcast and read the Blog

For those of you who don’t already know, CABA Exec. Director, Martin Zimmerman appeared on a panel which also included Anthony Foxx, City Council member and chair of the Transportation Committee and Dan Gallagher, Transportation Planner with CDOT for a full hour of discussion and call-ins on “Charlotte Talks”. The main subject was bicycling and public policy, but discussion also touched on rules of the road, road courtesy, and the usual complaints from listeners about lycra cyclists going double file on Queens road. Tune in. It’s worth it. Click: Talking Heads to for the audio, then scroll down to the show, and then click the “listen” icon to the right.

THE QUEEN CITY GOES BRONZE

Charlotte Gets a Bronze Rating from LAB

The League of American Bicyclists (LAB), the nation’s oldest and largest bicycle promotional and advocacy , conferred a “Bronze” Rating on Charlotte in May as a “Bicycle Friendly” city. What does this mean ? Mostly it means that Charlotte is improving overall in 2 of five categories. LAB has no fixed guidelines that have to be met such as a certain number of miles of lanes or a certain number of safety courses or a certain number of bike racks, so its difficult to tell how they actually pick the winners. Which means it is difficult to know how Charlotte really stacks up against other communities. (Eleven cities received a bronze rating which is a third tier rating out of four). To see all cities past and present, Click: She’s a Bronze Baby.

PEDAL PUSHER

She’s Living Car-Free and Loving It

Dateline: May 30, 2008, Prospect Magazine - Dana Goldstein – “As gas prices rise and congestion worsens, cities and commuters alike are starting to embrace bicycles. This spring, as the presidential candidates were busy arguing over the advisability of lifting the gas tax for the summer months, I bought a bike. It was something I had been meaning to do since I first moved from Rhode Island to Washington, D.C., two years ago, when I sold the bumper sticker–clad Ford Escort …. in the weeks since, I’ve saved over $100 on bus and Metro fares; in just a few months, I’ll recoup the entire cost of the bike. Even better, I’ve joined a tight-knit but growing group of bike-commuting enthusiasts…”

Click: Car Free in D.C. for full article.

WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE

Never Heard of It ? This is for real !

According to Wikepedia the World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR), which occurs in June is , well, just that . At least almost.

The dress code motto is “Bare As You Dare”, meaning total nudity is “not exactly” a requirement. This distinctive form of Critical Mass, occasionally called Critical Ass, is a combination of political protest, and street theatre. Creative expression is also encouraged to create a fun and immersive atmosphere during the ride, to capture the attention and imagination of passers-by and the media, and to make the experience more personalized and fulfilling for the riders.

Alas, poor Charlotte has yet to participate because doing so would be in violation of the BofA and Wachovia dress codes. Check out the crowds in the merry old London, England event by clicking: Kiss My Piccadilly.

THE END OF OIL

James Howard Kunstler Speaks Out

Dateline: May 25, Washington Post  - Wake Up, America. We’re Driving Toward Disaster - This a good reality check  article from a writer known for not mincing words.   His predictions about peak oil over five years ago were initially ignored and he was considered a gonzo.  But these times are a-changin’ and main-stream media is paying more attention to this social critic. For full article, click:
I Got the Peak Oil Blues.

TREK’S INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN

One World /Two Wheels

Watch this YouTube video of power point presentation by Trek CEO. John Burke gives a compelling talk on why bicycling is a valuable solution to some of the critical global problems of the 21st century. Click:  OneWorld/TwoWheels.

GAS PRICES SPUR BIKE SALES ALL ACROSS USA

Dateline: 5.11.08 - Associated Press – “Four-dollar-a-gallon gas is good for business - if you run a bike shop. Commuters around the country are dusting off their old two-wheelers - or buying new ones - to cope with rising fuel prices, bicycle dealers say . …Teacher Joyce McCusker of Herndon, Va., owns a bicycle for the first time in years. She bought it last month and uses it to make the eight-mile trip home from work. A friend drives her pickup to take McCusker’s daughter home from school. “I’m still using fossil fuel,” she said. “In two years, my goal is to ride both ways, every day through the year.” Click: Gas Prices Up, Bike Sales Up,Up,Up ! for full text.

CHARLOTTE RIDE OF SILENCE

Sponsored by the MoJo’s

May 21 – 7 p.m. Booty Loop –This 2nd annual ride is sponsored by the MoJo riding club of Charlotte.Last year we had about 100 riders. Three laps in silence, or about 45 minutes. On May 21, 2008, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe (200+ locations). Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. While we will be riding in honor of all cyclists, we will hold a special place in our hearts for local cyclists and friends Todd Weaver who died on a collision with a CATS bus while commuting, and Rachel Giblin and Lee Ann Barry who were killed while on a charity rides. For more information contact Michael Gibbons, michael@buttonsofhope.com.

CAPTAIN JACK’S RIDE

Celebrate the Spirit of Mecklenburg

May 17 - The May 20th Society puts on its inaugural bike ride in Union County which will commemorate the ride of Captain James Jack who risked his life on May 20th, 1775 delivering the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Please forward to anyone you think would have interest. Remember that each ride begins with a revolution! This notice given to CABA by former City Council member Pat Mumford.

Click Captain Jack to preregister.

CATS BICYCLIST SURVEY – THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM US

Due date: May 10 !

You should take a minute and fill this out. In case you don’t know, CATS stands for Charlotte Area Transportation System. They’re the ones who build and own the LYNX line and run the bus fleet. They are very supportive of bicycling community and even have mounts conveniently located inside each LYNX car and racks on every bus for cyclists. Help their efforts on our behalf and click: Cats Survey .