Charlotte

 Spokes People Newsletter

Special Event:

Bikes vs. Cars Documentary Showing

The CLT Spokes People ensured a strong start to 2016 by hosting a showing of Bikes vs. Cars, a provocative documentary that is generating a lot of discussion, here in Charlotte. Many of us rode to the showing in freezing temperatures, making an impression on the other moviegoers! We’ll be posting about the film on the Spokes People blog. See the first installment here.

Featured Ride:

Bicycle Fridays at Park Road Montessori

Last year, CLT Spokes Person Bethanie Johnson started a Bicycle Friday ride at Park Road Montessori. Since then, students, teachers, and parents have gathered to ride their bikes together almost every week. According to Bethanie,

This winter we’re averaging between 8 and fifteen riders, but in the nice months we’ve averaged 18 per week. I think our highest number (for bike/walk to school), was around 30 children–add in adults between 40 and 45. We joke with the kids about the “chance of donuts.” As in, “There’s a 70 percent chance of donuts on tomorrow’s ride.” I sometimes make them, or my co-leader springs for donuts. We’ve had some great parent support, and one parent told me last week it’s the only day her son gets up on his own, “because I have to ride my bike today!” Dick Winters has been on several of the rides and is cooperating with CMS to get new bike racks installed at our school. We’re very excited about that. Trips For Kids ran a booth with us at the fall picnic, and I’ve encouraged parents to get replacement bicycles at the Recyclery because children are always growing out of bikes.

These kids are the next generation of cyclists!

2015 In Review:

PMTNR Recap

Since April 2013, over 10,000 people have ridden PMTNR. We ride every week, and the ride is never cancelled. Sometimes a dozen people ride; sometimes, it’s more than a hundred. Come out for some fun riding your bike, exploring hidden neighborhoods, and discovering great Bike Benefits businesses with us. PMTNR was also mentioned in various publications in 2015. I think the Charlotte Agenda article captured the spirit of the ride best. Click here to read their story.

Largest PMTNR in 2015: 150 riders to Goodyear Skyline Artists exhibit with King of Pops on August 25^th.

Smallest PMTNR in 2015: Eight riders in the rain on October 27^th.

We always have fun. Thanks for riding with us.

Bicycle Benefits

The Charlotte Bike Benefits program continues to grow.  We are fortunate to have so many bike-friendly destinations and so many businesses that support bike riding.  With 156 participating locations, the Charlotte program is the largest in the nation. This year we introduced Bike Bingo to introduce and highlight Bike Benefits businesses. Bike Bingo ran from May-Oct during the National Bike Challenge.

Ride your bike for your benefits! Here are the last 10 businesses to join the program:

• Powderly / Vuchnich CPA
• Cast Iron Waffles – South Park
• Cast Iron Waffles – Piedmont Row
• The Broken Spoke
• House of Lemond
• Bulldog Beer and Wine – South End
• Legion Brewing Co.
• Codescape
• Red Clay Cidery
• Tip Top Daily Market
• Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe
• CLTCH
• Pure Pizza – Central Ave.
• Law office of David Demers

To see a full list of participating business, print off a pocket list.

Cycling Savvy

In 2015, Charlotte has held 10 classes with about 60 students completing the bike workshop. This makes Charlotte the fastest-growing Cycling Savvy location. For those who don’t know, Cycling Savvy is a three-day workshop that helps people learn how to recognize and handle traffic situations to safely and comfortably ride on any road:

• Day 1: Classroom presentation – bicycle law and safety strategies
  
• Day 2: On-bike skills – inside, closed course
  
• Day 3: Bike ride of Charlotte.
  

There will be more Savvy Cyclists in Charlotte’s future.

The next Cycling Savvy class is March 11-13! Take the first step toward confidence to ride your bike anywhere by visiting register.cyclingsavvy.org/groups/north-carolina to sign up.

Upcoming Events

Save these dates!  Mark your calendars!

• Cycling Savvy Feb 5-7, March 11-13, Apr 29 – May 1
  
• Bike!Charlotte is 4/29-5/15
  
• PMTNR Bikes on a Train ride is 5/3/16
  
• BikeFest is May 15 on Thomas Ave in Plaza Midwood
  

Please subscribe so you can keep up to date and help us continue to improve your biking in Charlotte

Contact Us

https://cltspokespeople.org/

CLTSpokesPeople@gmail.com

Please share this newsletter, and as always…

Come ride with us!