Five strikes against Charlotte as a bike city
A recent study ranked Charlotte as the sixth least bike-friendly city (technically, 47th best 0f 52) in the U.S.
I used to ride my bike delivering sandwiches uptown. Over the two years, I survived countless close calls and two ER trips.
I finally decided to forfeit the free exercise—and “free smells”—because of the safety risk. I still love cycling in this city, but Charlotte has five strikes against it.
Strike 1: Bad driving
Types of bad drivers include indecisive and inattentive drivers, ill-informed drivers who don’t understand cycling laws, and impatient, aggressive drivers who actively make cycling unsafe.
Drivers, you’re supposed to share the road—that’s why there are bike lanes. Use your signals, pay attention and be predictable. Just pretend we’re cars.
My friend Jerry, a professional cyclist, thinks ignorant drivers who are not from Charlotte are the worst because they “have no idea how to get around and how to drive in the city. It makes it hard for them to look out for cyclists, and it makes them unpredictable.”
Charlotte drivers yesterday,when it didnt even stick smh .#baddrivers #Charlotte pic.twitter.com/GmGsx0veD7
— Moe Flavors (@TheCanadianJack) February 12, 2014
Strike 2: Bad biking
We can be our own worst enemy.
When I’m a bad biker it’s usually a reaction to a bad driver. Combative cyclists who make sport of breaking laws don’t win points in the cyclist/motorist peace movement.
This riding style is common among my bike-based colleagues and bike punk friends. Don’t die, guys.
Strike 3: Poor planning
Charlotte sprawls. It’s the common thread among the losers in the study.
Let’s face it: we live in a car-centric city in a car-centric country.
Pam Murray, organizer of the Plaza Midwood Tuesday Night Ride, says education for cyclists and motorists is more important than bike lanes.
“I feel safer in the (car) lane since I have a larger margin of safety for lateral passing,” she said. “If bike lanes are present, motorists expect me to ride in them even if I don’t want to ride there.”
Sharing a great cycling experience with #cyclingsavvy class here in #Charlotte with Pam from #pmtnr pic.twitter.com/lWLOzqQeAB — TL Lansdell (@RAAM243) May 16, 2015
Strike 4: Too few cyclists
There’s a critical mass at which cycling becomes a familiar part of a city’s life. One problem is that females are underrepresented within the cycling community.
“I can’t speak for all lady cyclists, but I remember when I first started riding, (I was) nervous riding alone at night, worried about flat tires, crashing or being followed,” said Fauna Moore, who rides everywhere, organizes events and leads yoga for cyclists at The Spoke Easy. “Now, eight years in, I’ve never had a problem, and I’ve only been met with kindness whenever I’ve needed help.”
It was such a lovely day! #CLT #blackmilkclothing #bikes
A photo posted by Fauna Moore (@faunista) on Feb 18, 2014 at 5:08pm PST
Strike 5:Trolley tracks
The LYNX Blue Line extension and Gold Line are laudable projects. Too bad the new tracks can be a death trap for cyclists.
Meet my friend Mickey, who had a face-first run-in with the tracks on Elizabeth Avenue:
A sign of hope
Despite the challenges, there’s a hardcore, committed group of Charlotte cyclists who ride despite the challenges.
So share the road. Join a group. Rent a B-Cycle. Just get out and ride!
Photos courtesy of Tom Sherlin/AP/The Daily Times and Chris Sirico.
This story was originally published May 18, 2015 at 10:13 PM with the headline "Five strikes against Charlotte as a bike city."