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'If you build it, they will come' | Bike activity is up, and so are improvements to cycling infrastructure in Charlotte

States across the U.S. saw an increase in annual average daily bicycling trips, with more than half seeing an uptick above 25%.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Biking activity is up across the country with some people trading in their cars for a set of two-wheels.

“The more you get out on a bike, the more you see your neighborhood and the more you learn who your neighbors are,” Frank Devine, a bicyclist, said.

He’s been an avid rider since the pandemic.

“Since then I’ve been able to go car-free,” Devine said. “I bike everywhere now.”

Daily bike rides have grown 37% from 2019 to 2022 nationwide, according to a mobility data firm called Street Light Data.

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States across the U.S. saw an increase in annual average daily bicycling trips, with more than half seeing an uptick above 25%. North Carolina ranked fourth among the states for growth.

Many cities like Charlotte are investing in the biking infrastructure to improve the riding experience.

Devine isn’t just a rider. He’s also the Bicycle Advisory Committee’s chairperson, and he said Charlotte is on the right track to become a more bike-friendly city.

“We’ve added the Uptown cycle track, you’ve added the protected bike line on the plaza, you have added to the bike lane on Parkwood,” Devine said. “If you give people those connections where they can get on the greenway and have a less stressful commute, they are more likely to try it by bike.”

Charlotte is investing $113 million in the Cross-Charlotte Trail project to create a 30-plus mile trail and greenway facility that will stretch from Pineville to PNC Music Pavilion.

From protected bike lanes and updated bike paths to curb extensions, bikers say they see the progress.

Charlotte Cycles -- a bike sale, rental, and repair shop -- is feeling the growth.

“We are seeing a lot of customers bring their bikes back in for service which means they are actually riding them," shop manager Mari McNeary said. "We are also seeing our rentals increase."

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She is also car-free and uses her bike to get around in the city. She added taking the bus and rail line also helps her travel.

“The greenway system is ever-growing but there are still corners of Charlotte that don’t have a greenway or bike lane, which keeps some people from being confident in doing that [biking],” McNeary said.

Bikers say there is plenty of work to be done to increase connectivity between neighborhoods.

“There are some pockets of Charlotte where it is very comfortable to cycle and you have good infrastructure,” Devine said. “But you go out to other parts of Charlotte… like east Charlotte or Steele Creek, and there is not as much connectivity.”

More investment, connections, safety and accessibility could mean more folks riding out.

“Having a space where somebody does not feel intrusive with cars allows them to choose a bike,” McNeary said.

“It’s kind of a 'Field of Dreams' scenario," Devine said. "If you build it, they will come."

Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on FacebookX and Instagram. 

   

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