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: gonzoHis 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: gonzo

CABA MEETINGS

Each Month – Open to All

July 21 -Monday Come join us and participate. Meet kindred spirits. You don’t have to be a CABA member to attend. 6:30-8:00 p.m. Location to be decided but should be in or near Uptown. Check website in a few weeks.

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.

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.

Bike Gallery in Dilworth

There is a reason why Al Lizarazo is so well known and so well liked in bike circles in Charlotte. That’s because Al started the first bike shop in the area.
“I came from Columbia, South America in 1962 when I was 22, but we didn’t open our doors until March 1974.” The Bike Gallery moved from the original Scaleybark and South Boulevard location to the current building at Park Road and Kenilworth in 1980. Al was one of the three founders of the Tar Heel Cyclists in 1970 and was also its treasurer for many years.

What’s his claim to fame ? Says Al, ” Believe it or not Humpy Wheeler was part owner for a while before he went to work for Bruton Smith. Sometimes I think I have a lot in common with Humpy, except he’s retiring and I’m not.” Currently Al’s youngest son, Andres, works with him as does Cory Slasher, who is also a local fixture having been part owner of Lucky Cycles before closing its doors last year. Al has another son who is in the bike business as a sales rep.

“We’re not a high-end shop and we don’t sell just to sell. We really, really help people. That’s how we get our repeat business. People know us and trust us.We carry a bit of everything for all cyclist needs.”

Bike Gallery

/ 2500 Park Road / 704.332.2615 / thebikegallery@bellsouth.net Click Bike Gallery for map.

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.

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.

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.

Each Month – Open to All

June 2 -Plaza Midwood Library meeting room. Come join us and participate. Meet kindred spirits. You don’t have to be a CABA member to attend. Come join us and participate. Meet kindred spirits. You don’t have to be a CABA member to attend. Bike rack out front. 6:30-8:00 p.m.

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