GET INVOLVED !

Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC)

Members of the BAC are appointed by City Council, the County Commission or the Mayor’s office as terms lapse. Membership is open to all residents of Mecklenburg County who are committed to the improvement of everyday bicycling on streets and greenways. The Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) has functioned since 1999.

The BAC is kept informed by CDOT staff of the latest government activities affecting cycling. It has the leeway to affect programs and policy - including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bicycle Transportation Plan and others listed on this page of the website.

Regular meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.

Contact person: Hal Bouton, Committee Chairperson

CycleCharlotte08 – May 10

CycleCharlotte08 is the only event of its kind designed to advance the cause of bicycling as an integral component of transportation choice in the Queen City - both present and future. The success of this event depends on the support of a wide spectrum of individuals, businesses and institutions. This year it will be hosted again by Dowd YMCA, and endorsements have been garnered thus far from Charlotte Center City Partners and Charlotte Mecklenburg Dept. of Parks and Recreation with more to follow.

During the first two years $55,000 in cash and in-kind contributions were contributed. All profits are donated to local worthy non-profit causes including CABA - Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance, Dowd YMCA and

the C-M Police Department. All contributions are tax-deductible.

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This festival is scheduled for May 10, 2008 and will be a finale event of the ten-day BIKE!CHARLOTTE activities sponsored in part by the City of Charlotte. The goal is to top 750 participants.

This will not be a race. Rather it will be a family-oriented gathering including biking excursions through

Uptown and along some of Charlotte’s most beautiful neighborhoods, a children’s safety clinic, booths from supporting organizations, music by local performers, and lots of great food. Tonia Bendickson of WBTV3 will return as emcee, along with guest appearances by Jennifer Roberts, Chairperson of the County Commissioners and other civic leaders. This is an opportunity to take your bike out of the garage, dust it

off, and have a swell time in the process.

The festival intent affirms bicycling as an essential travel choice. Bicycling translates to slimmer waistlines, diminished global warming and an end to oil addiction.

Contact person: Martin Zimmerman, Exec. Director, CABA

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Char-Meck Greenway System

Charlotte’s Greenway system is expanding rapidly as a result of successful bond issue votes.

See Greenway System for all Greenway maps.

Greenway Long-Term Master Plan – $400,000 consultant contract with a ten-year window in process as per following schedule. See Master Plan for details.January 2008: The following portions to be completed

• Greenway Plan
• Nature Preserve plan
• Program Plan
• Update to the City Council on preliminary findings

February 2008: The following portions to be completed

• Sports and Tourism (athletic fields/economic impact study)
• February 25, 26, 27 – Public workshops will be held

March 2008: To be completed by March

• Green Printing (Land Acquisition) and Capital Improvement Plan

April 2008: To be completed in April

The final plan will be presented to the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners for approval.May 2008

Presentation to Citizens Capital Budget Advisory Board

The purpose of the comprehensive master plan is to guide decision-making for the future development and management of Mecklenburg County ’s parks, trails, recreation and open space opportunities for the next ten years. Major deliverables of the plan will include a Facilities Development Capital Improvement Plan, Greenway Master Plan update, Nature Preserves Master Plan Update, Parks and Facilities Development Plan, and Recreation and Sports Strategy Development Plan.

Contact person: Julie Clark, Senior Planner

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Safe Routes to Schools (S2RS) – 2007-08

Charlotte is one of many communities in North Carolina competing for State grants to implement infrastructure and non-infrastructure connectivity in the form of bike lanes, crosswalks, street lights,

sidewalks and public education programs so that children will not need to depend on soccer-moms and school buses to attend school. Sedgefield Elementary has been selected as the first school in the Char-Meck system. This program has other benefits including obesity reduction, air quality and reducing dependency on gasoline.

Contact person: Vivian Coleman, CDOT Pedestrian Manager.

Trips for Kids / Earn-a-Bike / Bike Recyclery

The Trips for Kids / Earn-a-Bike / Bike Recyclery is located just south of the NODA district at the rear entrance of 512 E.15th Street just off North Davidson St. The recyclery program takes used, donated bicycles and brings them back to life through the companion program.

• E-a-B is for both children and adults who want to “earn” a bicycle by helping to repair bikes and learn some of the basics of bike mechanics.
• Trips for Kids sponsors group rides on weekends throughout the year.

Website: Trips for Kids.

To donate a bike or volunteer, contact: Paula Fricke or Harry Johnson.