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They are all talker's not doer's !!!!

Submitted by ansilbereisen on Thu, 08/05/2004 - 10:02. General Topics

I find it rather amusing that the Powers that be in Charlotte all talk the talk about promoting and increasing cycling in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area, but do not act on their constant ramblings. Mayor rides to work on ride to work week, reduce air pollution-ride to work, bah, I think a lot more people would ride to work if they had more room on the roads to ride. Granted, some drivers are ignorant and abusive (I've had my fair share), but remove their excuse to abuse by widening a road and putting in a bike lane. The majority of commuters live outside the 277 loop, so make provision for riding. Don't want to put in bike lanes, the last time I looked there was a rather large strip of land from Mooresville all the way to Pineville call a railway track. Since you are putting in light/commuter rail, why not just put in a cycle way along side it. Any way enough of my rant, any one else want to add. Oh, and I have send my issues to the relevent powers with no reply. Did I really expect anything.......

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Light rail bike trail

Submitted by dgnorton on Mon, 08/09/2004 - 09:59.

I live in Mooresville and work in the South Park area. I would love to bike commute one or two days/week but, currently, there aren't any safe routes (that I know of). A bike trail following the light rail would be perfect. They will have to build a service road anyway ... just close it to all but human powered transportation and service vehicles.

David

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Talkers? Encourage 'em, don't bash 'em!

Submitted by BillC on Fri, 08/06/2004 - 19:41.

I share your frustration, but Tab and Blue have the only remedy! Recruit more riders and show up in person to influence City Council and County Commission. Frankly, considering the attitudes of most folks I know toward cycling, I'm surprised we get as much support from the politicos as we do.

At the last mayor's ride, Mayor McCrory urged (no, begged) us to use bike lanes and paths as much as possible and be as persistent with City Council as possible. He's been out on a limb for us and he needs our support (and trust me, this is no Republican activist saying this!). Let's not bash the folks who are saying the right things.

Instead, I'm going to take on Blue's Sept. 20th challenge. I'll be there with my bike helmet. At the very least, I'm gonna get a beer and a good conversation out of it.

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WE are the doers

Submitted by Tab on Thu, 08/05/2004 - 17:54.

I'm sorry you find the cycling atmosphere in Charlotte so frustrating. Don't give up hope.

I wish this city were more bike-friendly as well, but it is important to recognize that our lack of bicycle facilities is not the fault of city staff, but rather of both budgetary limitations and the attitudes of our fellow Charlotteans. Bike facilities are expensive, especially something like your suggested bike path along the north rail corridor. Until Charlotte citizens start clamoring en masse for such spending, city staff will not be able to take the necessary millions away from other, more popular projects. The hands of "the powers that be" are tied by the desires of the majority of those who elect them and pay their salaries. That's us, and in general, we, Charlotte citizens, aren't willing to ante up our tax dollars for bike lanes.

So don't blame the city planners and engineers. Instead, spend your energy convincing your fellow Charlotteans to ride a bike. Get one person hooked on cycling, and that's one more voice supporting bike facilities--and one less voice clamoring for more lanes, faster speed limits, and fewer bikes.

Keep riding.

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