Biking from Matthews to Charlotte uptown

So, today was my 2nd attempt at biking from the downtown Matthews area to uptown Charlotte for work. Saturday, I rode in as a trial run and if you read my comments (see my blog), you'll note that I tried to primarily stay on the sidewalks and it took me 90 mins. Basically, I averaged 8 mph this way. This morning, I made the decision that it is, generally speaking, more dangerous to ride on the sidewalks (if I am moving at a good speed) than it is to ride on the road with auto traffic. So, when I was moving at a good speed, I rode on the street, as close to the right as was reasonable so that traffic could pass easily, and took to the sidewalks on hills and times when my pace would slow. With that in mind, it took me only 50 mins to get to work today. So, I averaged approx 15 mph by sticking to the roads. In my experience, riding on the sidewalks made the trek significantly more difficult and time-consuming. To top it off, the rough ride of the sidewalks hurt my back. So, for now at least, I am sticking to the road and hopefully the other commuters will remain friendly.

Is anyone else out there trying this or something similar?

Tags: bicycle, biking, commute, commuting, cycling, traffic, transit, transportation, wellness

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Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on October 7, 2008 at 9:30am: Carol, I am improving pretty rapidly. Considering that it was only a month ago that I had the accident, I am out of my cast and splint. I have some loss in motion and flexibility but that will likely all come back with time. For now, my arm and wrist is all pretty stiff so I work on that constantly. Also on the up-side, I have some pretty cool scars to show off now. ;-) I hope to be back cycling in the spring. I don't think I'll get back into it before the real cold sets in around here and I HATE cold weather.

I have, however, stuck to my alternative transportation pursuits and have been riding the bus a lot more. I actually drove my car for the first time since my accident today. While everyone else is waiting in line for gas, I just swipe my bus card and am on my way.

So, Carol, how has your cycling been going? Still doing the 5 or less by bike approach?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol Buie-Jackson on November 13, 2008 at 7:55pm: Adam, I just realized I never answered this! I looked for you at the Chili thing last weekend--we rode out bikes down there. (I saw your Twitter). How are you doing? Back on the bikes yet? And yes, we are still trying to ride for anything 5 miles or less, weather permitting. It was too cold to ride to work one morning so my husband actually walked the 2.5 miles. If he does that all winter, he'll be in great shape for the spring. Hope you continue to improve.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on November 14, 2008 at 11:12am: Yeah, I was at the cook off. I was looking for you but must have missed you. I didn't ride this time as I had my little girls and some other family members with me.

I'm still letting my bones "firm-up" so-to-speak and also trying to get soe strength back in my arm. I'll be back in the spring.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michael Habenicht on November 13, 2008 at 12:16am: Props! I'd definitely do the bike commute to work if I could.
I definitely think sticking to the roads is much more safer than riding the sidewalks, because you'd be likely to have someone turn into you as they enter a business parking lot entrance, add in any pedestrians using the side walks and it could get quite sketchy. I wish we had a greenway trail that ran from Matthews/Mint Hill all the way into uptown Charlotte! Now that would be sweet and I think many people would use such a trail system for commuting into town, biking, jogging and walking exercise.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol Buie-Jackson on November 13, 2008 at 7:57pm: Has anyone tried biking to a bus stop, strapping your bike onto the bus and then completing your journey on bike closer to downtown? I would like to try that one weekend. I want to explore DT on a bike but not sure of getting there from here.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on November 14, 2008 at 11:10am: Yeah, I did that several times. You can take the 27M bus from downtown Matthews into Charlotte and just throw your bike on the front rack. It's really easy to do. If you want midtown, get off around the 7th Street and Hawthorne area. If you want downtown, just take it all the way in to the bus terminal.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Byird on December 8, 2008 at 4:58pm: Hello - I'm currently an expatriate living in Amsterdam, NL. My husband and I are looking at the Charlotte area and hope to get some information on plans for greenways, etc. The comment about the Lightrail piqued our interest - we understand it's been a great success and it would seem logical to put a bike path underneath it as they do here? Being a part of traffic is definitely a different experience and agree completely it calls for a dedicated lane in order to work.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on December 8, 2008 at 5:29pm: Though it would be nice, the light rail does not, to my knowledge, have a trail along or under it. The city has seen more greenways being developed and that's good news. Also, a long-term bike plan recently passed through Charlotte city council. So, we're not well infrastructured for bikes now but I am optimistic that it will be better in time.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol Buie-Jackson on December 9, 2008 at 7:37am: While there's not a bike path with light rail, there is a large project just starting to link areas in Mecklenburg and 14 surrounding counties via the Carolina Thread Trail. I am very excited about this project as it will enable residents to get almost anywhere in the area on bikes via safe bike paths AND help preserve and protect some of the open space we have remaining.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Byird on December 9, 2008 at 3:16pm: Thank you both for responding to our question! I'm going to the link you provided to study up - sounds really great and just exactly what we're looking for. Biking as transportation is the way to go!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adam Brooks on December 9, 2008 at 4:45pm: Also to know...

CATS buses have bike racks. So, between the bus system and a bike, you can get most palces easily. http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Riding+CATS/Bike+Racks.htm

Also see the Charlotte DOT bicycle master plan and programs
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Transportation/Bicycle/Home.htm; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol Buie-Jackson on December 9, 2008 at 10:17pm: You're welcome and pls let us know if/when you come to visit. We'll take you on a tour!; ▶ Reply to This

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Biking from Matthews to Charlotte uptown

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