The Transportation Choices Alliance is working to make our community a safer and more convenient place for people of all ages to take trips by bike. Whether you’re an experienced cyclist or have never been on a bike before, our resource list can point you in the right direction!
Bike Updates
- Are you interested in giving a presentation at the 2015 NC Bike Summit in Charlotte this October? The call for presentations is now open! Click here to learn more.
- The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) voted at their August 2014 meeting to form a Bicycle and Pedestrian Work Group to better plan for future transportation needs. The Work Group is currently finalizing a methodology for ranking potential bicycle and pedestrian projects.
- Greenways are a critical link in the region’s bike network. The Mecklenburg Park & Recreation Greenway Master Plan 2008 – 2018 is available for download. Current projects include Barton Creek, Briar Creek, Wesley Heights, Torrence and Lower Mcdowell Greenways and the McAlpine Creek Greenway Extension.
- The City of Charlotte is partnering with Mecklenburg County to create a 26-mile trail and greenway facility that will stretch from the City of Pineville, through Center City and on to the UNCC campus and Cabarrus County line. This trail is being named the Cross-Charlotte Trail. When completed, residents will be able to travel seamlessly from one end of Charlotte to the other. Approximately 98,000 jobs and 80,000 residents will be located within ½ mile of the proposed Cross-Charlotte Trail.
Bike Facts
- Only 0.08% of workers in Mecklenburg County commuted by bike in 2011. That’s only one in 1,250 people. Take advantage of our mild climate and escape the vehicle commuting rat race! Your wallet, your waistline, and the planet will thank you.
- Bicycling is one of the easiest ways to exercise. It helps you build strength, stamina, muscle tone, and improves cardiovascular health.
- A nationwide analysis shows that cities and towns where more people bike to work are wealthier, healthier, and more attractive to creative employees.
- Depending on the length of your commute, you could save $1,000 or more per year when you commute by bike instead of in your own vehicle.
- If those aren’t enough reasons, check out 60 more!
Greenways are an important element of Charlotte’s transportation network.
Bike Resources
Would you like to try commuting by bike, but don’t know where to start? Check out this comprehensive guide. You’ll learn what to wear, how to safely move with traffic, how to securely lock your bike, and how to choose a route that minimizes the number of left turns.
- Free Wheelin’ Fridays is a weekly Friday morning commute into Uptown from several neighborhoods. If you’re a beginning cyclist or just curious about commuting by bike, this entry-level group ride is perfect for you. If you don’t have a bike or helmet, you can borrow them free from Charlotte B-cycle!
City of Charlotte Bicycle Plan and Program includes the Bicycle Plan, Charlotte Cycling Guide, bicycle laws and tips, info about bike parking for employers, a Spanish language bicycling guide, and much more. Check out the website to download these resources. Other municipalities and areas in the region that have bike and/or greenway plans include Lake Norman (including Troutman, Mooresville, Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson), Gastonia, and Rock Hill. Please let us know of others! - Top 10 Tips for First-time Bicycle Commuters is a short article to help you get started.
- The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide provides cities with state-of-the-practice solutions that can help create complete streets that are safe and enjoyable for bicyclists.
- Bikes and Transit – If you’d like to pedal between your transit stop, home, and work, the CATS website explains how easy it is to take your bike on the bus or light rail.
- The Federal Highway Administration’s Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide provides guidance for municipalities interested in building cycling infrastructure that meets the needs of all users.
- Charlotte Bicycle Commuter Mentors – If you have questions about commuting by bike or are interested in meeting a mentor who can help you plan a route, check out this great program.
- Charlotte Spokes People is the umbrella organization for the Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride, the Sunday Slow Riders, BikeFest, the Charlotte Bicycle Benefits program and will include bike education classes in the future.
- WeeklyRides.com is a comprehensive source of bike info for Greater Charlotte. The site lists over 500 local area charity cycling events, close to 300 weekday training rides and community opportunities, advocacy groups, legal resources, the most accurate and complete list of local bicycle shops, and schedules for Cycling Savvy classes. There is also an active Facebook page with over 2,500 members.
- Cycling Savvy classes are taught by Pamela Murray. Anyone, regardless of skill level, will benefit from these classes that teach practical skills for safely and confidently navigating the city by bike. Some financial assistance is available from scholarships by WeeklyRides.com.
- Bike Law: Bicycle law in North Carolina is complicated. Learn your rights, how to protect yourself on the road, and what to do if you’re in an accident.
- Bike share: Charlotte B-Cycle is one of the largest urban bike sharing systems in the Southeast, with 200 blue bikes and 24 stations placed throughout Uptown and the surrounding neighborhoods.
- Charlotte Center City Partners offers a map of the Charlotte B Cycle and Charlotte bike paths and trails.
- BikeWalk NC is a membership-based, statewide advocacy organization promoting non-motorized transportation choices for residents of and visitors to NC. See their upcoming events here.
- SAFE – North Meck is a bicycle infrastructure advocacy organization comprised of bicycle clubs and shops whose members and patrons use the roadways in North Mecklenburg County and the surrounding area for cycling.
- Safe Routes to School: North Carolina is one of seven jurisdictions participating in the Safe Routes to School state network project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. North Carolina has been a network state since 2012. The network project’s goal is to advance state-level policy reform, resulting in the award and obligation of federal transportation funds, street-scale improvements and joint-use agreements.
- Trips for Kids is a non-profit organization that provides mentoring through bicycling experiences. In alliance with other organizations, TFKC targets 10-15 year old children of need within the Charlotte area.
- Just want to take things slow? Slow Biking is the solution for riders of all ages and experience levels. “No Spandex needed!”
- How do protected bike lanes improve communities? People For Bikes has a fact sheet of economic, safety, and lifestyle benefits.
- The League of American Bicyclist‘s Women Bike program Engaging More Women in Bicycling report
- How to Support Your Local Bike Shop While Respecting Your Budget.