You're Invited to Join the Charlotte Bicycle Commuter Support Group

The Idea was started by John Cock, a Charlotte city planner and bike commuter. He collected names and email addresses of bike commuters he met on the road and used the email list to spread the word about regularly scheduled get-togethers.

The Get-Togethers happen twice a month.

• Morning: 2^nd Friday of the month, approx. 7-9 AM at Reid's Grocery, 7^th St. Station.
• Afternoon: 4^th Wednesday of the month, approx. 5-7 PM at Brixx Pizza, 6^th St. at 7^th St. Station.

They are informal and anyone is welcome to stop by. Typically there are from five to fifteen in attendance, even on cold winter mornings or rainy afternoons.

The Email List currently has over 140 names. There are a lot more bike commuters in Charlotte than you may have thought! An email is sent out to announce each get-together. Each email also contains several articles related to bicycle commuting. Occasionally, an extra email will be sent during the month if there is special information that needs to be distributed.

Email List Confidentiality is important. The emails are sent out using the “blind carbon copy” feature of the email application so that recipients’ email addresses can be kept confidential. That way, someone cannot see the names of recipients. This is done to minimize the chance that someone might misuse the list. The email list is currently maintained by John Cock, Tab Combs, and Alan Hunt, all Charlotte bicycle commuters.

Accomplishments? Can a loose-knit, informal group of bike commuters have accomplishments? Of course!

• A number of potential commuters have gotten advice and support from current commuters and are now commuting by bike.
• One member’s bike was stolen. A description and pictures were sent out to the group. Another bike commuter saw her bike and called police. A suspect was arrested and she got her bike back!
• A Canadian cyclist was coming to Charlotte for a conference and needed a bike to use for transportation while in Charlotte. She got in touch with us through an article on the BIKES Web site. A call was sent out and she ended up with a bike to use for transportation around Charlotte.
• Any number of folks have sought route information and gotten help through the group.
• And of course, by bicycle commuting, we stay healthier and are part of the pollution solution.

To Be Added to the email list, send an email to bikementor@carolina.rr.com and ask to be added. Provide your name and email address. If you are a current bike commuter, provide your commuting origin and destination.