Charlotte residents embraced cycling on National Bike to Work Day, boosting awareness of its environmental benefits.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte residents traded car keys for bike helmets Friday as the city celebrated National Bike to Work Day, an initiative promoting cycling as an environmentally friendly alternative to driving.
The benefits extend far beyond personal exercise, according to Shannon Binns, the executive director of local advocacy organization Sustain Charlotte.
Sustain Charlotte is using the day to encourage more residents to consider cycling as a regular transportation option. The organization emphasizes that individual choices can have broader community impacts.
“You’re helping reduce traffic congestion, which may not benefit you while you’re on your bike, but it certainly reduces the number one source of air pollution and climate pollution in Charlotte and North Carolina, which is transportation,” Binns explained.
The group is also highlighting Charlotte’s growing commitment to becoming more bike-friendly, particularly through the expansion of greenways and dedicated cycling infrastructure throughout the city.
“The infrastructure and the places to ride safely are growing, and that, of course, is critical for people to feel safe going out and biking around the city and the towns across Mecklenburg County,” Binns said.
Despite progress, advocates acknowledge that continued improvements are necessary to create truly safe roadways for all commuters in the Queen City.
“The city and the towns are working towards that,” Binns said. “They know that it needs to be safer for people to feel comfortable, and that’s something that we do a lot of advocacy for at Sustain Charlotte as well.”
While Friday marks National Bike to Work Day, cycling enthusiasts note that the entire month of May is recognized as National Bike Month. Although Charlotte has made significant strides in embracing cycling culture, Sustain Charlotte emphasizes that more growth and infrastructure development is needed, hoping the community will continue to support these efforts.
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