Charlotte’s Mayor Anthony Foxx leading a bike ride. Photo courtesy of The Charlotte Department of Transportation
EVENT PREVIEW – BIKE! Charlotte
April 26-May 12, Charlotte, N.C.
Got a bicycle? Well, it’s time to check the tire pressure and oil the chain as we have an action-packed 17-day event scheduled for April 26 through May 12 in the Queen City called BIKE! Charlotte. We hope you are ready for this inspiring event as the Charlotte Department of Transportation and Charlotte Sports Cycling are once again teaming to promote more than two weeks of exciting two-wheel adventures for people of all skill levels.
BIKE! Charlotte was created to encourage families, friends and colleagues to integrate the bicycle into their life and daily routine. Whether used for transportation, recreation or both, bicycles are efficient, nonpolluting modes of travel with great health benefits – and they are plain fun to ride. The theme for the 13th annual BIKE! Charlotte, “Riding for a Better Community,” was chosen to encourage the citizens of Charlotte to incorporate the bicycle in their life. This may be as simple as taking it on a short trip to the bank, the grocery store or even the post office. Our goal with BIKE! Charlotte is to empower, educate and encourage the populace that integrating the bicycle in your life can be a very simple process and is quite rewarding.
The event will feature a diverse agenda of exciting activities and promotions for all to enjoy, many of which are free to the public. BIKE! Charlotte will kick off on April 26 with the Mayor’s Ride/Bike to Breakfast in uptown Charlotte. All three weekends during BIKE! Charlotte will offer guided family bicycle rides for people of all ages and abilities. During the weekdays, many of our local bicycle shops will be providing bicycle maintenance clinics and local bike clubs will be educating our youth on bicycle safety and providing free helmets at Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeos. The final weekend with be highlighted by two exciting events: Cycle Charlotte, an urban bingo ride where participants can experience Charlotte’s beautiful neighborhood without a windshield, and Bikefest, a closed street festival in Plaza-Midwood.
Whether you’re a beginner, an avid rider, or just happen to own a bike that’s been hanging in the garage with a flat tire, it’s time to “air up” that tire, there’s an event for you during BIKE! Charlotte. Break out the bike April 26 through May 12 and head to a BIKE! Charlotte event. A detailed list of BIKE! Charlotte events is located at www.bikecharlotte.org.
