CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The city of Charlotte is encouraging residents to take their bikes out this month, whether it's for commuting, exercise or just exploring your neighborhood. May is Bike Month, and the city is promoting cycling as a fun and active mode of transportation.
As the city grows, so does its biking infrastructure. Colby Jones, who lives in Matthews, said every time his foot hit the pedal, it's his time to escape to another adventure with his wife by his side.
“Just being out in the fresh air, moving around, seeing things and so many people out there just enjoying their time,” he said.
However, Jones said there is room for improvement.
“I do like the expansion of the greenways,” he said. “But there are some roads and access btween areas that bikes can’t get on and that means they have to get on really busy roads.”
Izzy Archibaud is a technician at Charlotte Re-Cyclery and said there’s a growing cycling culture in the queen city.
“It basically means community and building community through bike groups or programs like we have here,” she said.
It's an opportunity for her to share her passions.
“I want to expand my love for cycling in general and get other people into it, and share my love for trails and biking in general,” said Archibaud.
This month, Charlotte is hosting many events and tours to bring people together around biking.
CDOT’s Bicycle Program Manager Dave Campbell said their program gets about $4 million a year from the city budget to improve mobility on two wheels in the Queen City.
“A lot of that goes to projects that make the streets safer and improve connectivity,” he said.
Several projects are underway in Charlotte. There are also new in-street bike facilities, like at the intersection of Jordan Place and North Davidson Street. Campbell said this is the type of modern, separated and protected bikeway facilities they are working to bring more of in Charlotte.
There are also additional redesigned intersections and more bike lanes and trails.
“We have lots of projects there that we are building here so we can finish the Cross Charlotte Trail through the north,” Campbell said.
The Cross Charlotte Trail, when complete, will be a roughly 30-mile trail and greenway that will stretch from the city of Pineville through Charlotte's Center City and on to the UNC Charlotte campus, ending near the Cabarrus County line.
With more pathways, riders can get from one side of Charlotte to another on two wheels.
“The goal is several hundreds of miles, but we have completed over 100 miles of bike lanes,” said Campbell. “We are on our way.”
This month is also about cycling advocacy, connectivity, and creating safer roads -- all important to riders.
“Whenever I’m selling someone a bike and talking to them, a lot of questions or comments I get is 'where is the safest place to bike here,'” said Izzy Archibaud.
Campbell said there are also cycling safety courses available this month.
“Sharing a road with cars is super important,” he said, “but also biking with your kids. How do you safely bike with your kids? If you want to go shopping by bike there are a lot of bikes you can use to go shopping.”
Meanwhile, the city continues to create more mobility paths for riders, something Archibaud said she appreciates.
“It is very exciting to make some movement in Charlotte and get more bike lanes and more biking infrastructure implemented," she said.
Campbell even car drivers can show support by slowing down and keeping an extra watch for riders. He said doing so means you are creating a safer environment for all road users.
CATS is also offering free rides to bicyclists through May 19 for Bike to Work Week. Your bike is your ticket.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.