Charlotte to host 'pop-up' events to discuss possible bike only lane

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tuesday, Charlotte is holding a series of pop-up events where you can weigh-in on a protected bike lane in uptown.

The city has drafted a rendering of the bike lane and it will stretch along sixth and fifth streets.

The bike lane will stretch nearly two lines from Irwin Creek Greenway to McDowell Street and will provide cyclists a lane to minimize conflict between walkers, cyclists, and drivers.

There will be a barricade that separates the cyclists from the commuters and the track will run both directions within the lane.

The city has been considering bike lanes for while, but people are concerned about the safety of cyclists and ongoing construction issues.

On average, 47 cyclists are hit each year across Mecklenburg County.

Last month, a cyclist was left bleeding and seriously hurt after a hit and run crash crash near the Whitewater Center.

Commuters are fed up with ongoing construction and limited parking, but those issues were taken into consideration by the city.

"A lot of the parking that is on sixth street is off peak parking," said project manager Todd Delk.

Engineers hope to eventually create a mini loop of bike lanes inside the John Belk and Brookshire Freeways to allow cyclists to move around the entire city.

"This is the first one we hope will almost be like a loop around town where they will be paired with three other streets in the future and you can get all the way around uptown," said Delk.

Cost estimates are still being discussed and the design of the bike lanes is being funded by the city.

The city will host five input sessions in uptown, starting at 8 a.m.

Here is the list of meeting times and locations: 

1) Gateway Viillage Promenade 

800 West Trade Street

8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

2) Trade and Tryon in front of the Marriott Hotel 

100 West Trade Street

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

3) The Vue

Pine Street and 5th Street

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

4) 7th Street Public Market

4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

5) Charlotte Knights BB&T Ballpark centerfield entrance 

Mint and 4th Street

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Charlotte Center City website.

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