News Flash!

CITY-WIDE BIKE PLAN VOTE IS SET
MONDAY - SEPT. 8
Mark Your Calendar - City Council Meeting

CABA has just learned that the City Council vote is finally set. We will need lots of people in the audience (with their helmets !) and people to appear as speakers. Also need emails sent to Council Members. Check out NEWS and VIEWS page next week for specifics information. The goal will be for unanimous approval.

Other News

CABA ANNUAL PICNIC A SUCCESS
Great Weather, Good Turnout, Expert Presentations

This was our first time at Reedy Creek Park with a big shelter, (restrooms nearby !) and lots of delicious potluck!. Guest speaker Ken Tippette – City Bicycle Manager -conducted a detailed discussion of the highlights of the plan, and Ann Groninger, attorney with the firm of Patterson Harkavy LLP, and Peter Wilborn attorney from Charleston SC, also led a discussion of their joint program to provide legal services for bicyclists. See Niche Service below.

Julie Clark, Greenway planner for Park and Rec. also spoke of the linkages between the City-Wide bike plan and the Park and Rec. Long Range Master Plan.  Audience participation was strong enough to easily absorb two hours of informative and stimulating give-and-take.

Special thanks to the following sponsors:  “Share the Road” jerseys custom designed given as a raffle item and donated by Jake Kilgore of iRIDECycles bike shop in Huntersville, 4 - $25 gift certificates also a raffle item courtesy of Bart Stetler owner of South Park Cycles, delicious pizza by Amalfi’s restaurant at Town Center Plaza on University Blvd. across from UNCC, Harris Teeter, Bloom grocers and Earth Share for food certificates.

CABA MEETS WITH CATS’ CEO - KEITH PARKER

In July Dan Faris, Board Chairman of CABA and Martin Zimmerman met with Keith Parker who heads the Charlotte Area Transit System to discuss several short and long term priorities for bicycling integration with the transit system, especially with the LYNX light rail lines. Among the issues discussed were the possibility of an off-road bike route parallel to the Northeast Corridor, building a bike station at the proposed Uptown Gateway intermodal complex, and informational decals on LYNX cars that would explain how and where to mount bikes. Keith pledged his support for continued integration between bikes, busses, and light rail.

LEGAL SERVICES FOR BICYCLISTS
A Niche Service for Charlotte !

Ann Groninger of Patterson Harkavy LLP, www.pathlaw.com has collaborated with Charleston S.C. attorney Peter Wilborn to form www.ncbikelaw.com. Ann provides legal services and advice to bicyclists, including presentations to bike groups, representation in crash situations and consultation on other legal matters related to cyclists. This is big, big news and CABA intends to support the effort 100%. Ann is also a member of CABA.

Mark Your Calendar

CABA MEETINGS
Each Month – Open to All

September 3 - Wednesday NOTE: Next month’s meeting is not on Monday. Come join us and participate. Meet kindred spirits. You don't have to be a CABA member to attend.  6:30-8:00 p.m. Plaza Midwood Library. Bike rack out front. Agendas available beforehand.

Links and Blogs

FINAL CYCLING RESULTS FROM THE OLYMPICS

Dateline: August 23, 2008  Lookin' back on Beijing - By Greg Johnson

“Hopes have been dashed, records smashed and now the cleaners are mopping up the aftermath of Beijing Olympic Games' after party. As those athletes who stayed in China for yesterday's farewell bash start making their respective ways home, we re-live some of the highs and lows of this Olympiad.Great Britain proved dominant not only on the track, but also strong on the road with Nicole Cooke taking the women's road race victory while compatriot Emma Pooley hooked silver in the Time Trial. The Spaniards did what was expected in the men's road race, although few thought it would be Samuel Sánchez to take gold for the nation. Meanwhile the Swiss-clock Fabian Cancellara performed like, um, clockwork to take bronze in the road race and a brilliant Time Trial gold medal….” For entire article and photo gallery click: Beijing Cyclists.

Kyle Bennett BMX Time Trials – Click Kyle Bennett for full video.

Canadian Olympic Cyclist Erinne Willock ( see photo this page ) and the "Peace Plus One" Climate Change Agents share the 3 finger Sustainability Symbol near the Olympic Stadium. For more about climate change click: Cycling and Climate Change.

BIKE SHOP OF THE MONTH
Bike Gallery in Dilworth

There is a reason why Al Lizarazo is so well known and so well liked in bike circles in Charlotte. That's because Al started the first bike shop in the area. 
"I came from Columbia, South America in 1962 when I was 22, but we didn't open our doors until March 1974.” The Bike Gallery moved from the original Scaleybark and South Boulevard location  to the current building at Park Road and Kenilworth in 1980. Al was one of the three founders of the Tar Heel Cyclists in 1970 and was also its treasurer for many years.

What's his claim to fame ? Says Al, " Believe it or not Humpy Wheeler was part owner for a while before he went to work for Bruton Smith. Sometimes I think I have a lot in common with Humpy, except he's retiring and I'm not." Currently Al's youngest son, Andres, works with him as does Cory Slasher, who is also a local fixture having been part owner of Lucky Cycles before closing its doors last year. Al has another son who is in the bike business as a sales rep.

"We're not a high-end shop and we don't sell just to sell. We really, really help people. That's how we get our repeat business. People know us and trust us.We carry a bit of everything for all cyclist needs." 

Bike Gallery / 2500 Park Road / 704.332.2615 / thebikegallery@bellsouth.net Click Bike Gallery for map.