BIKE CHARLOTTE is a month-long celebration of all things cycling in Charlotte that coincides with National Bike Month. It's 27 days of bicycle-related rides, events, tours, and promotions by the cycling community for the cycling community. It is vital locally to promote cycling advocacy and encourage residents to embrace biking for health, fun, and fitness and as a viable transportation option. 

May is National Bike Month, promoted by the League of American Bicyclists and celebrated in communities from coast to coast. Established in 1956, National Bike Month showcases the many benefits of bicycling and encourages everyone to give biking a try.

Whether you’re riding for fun, fitness, or with family, or taking essential trips to work or shop, you are part of our movement for safer streets, connected communities, a healthier planet, and happier people.

For more information about National Bike Month or the League of American Bicyclists, click HERE.

For 2024, Bike Charlotte will begin on April 1st. Here's a list of important dates to remember.

• April 1st
  • Bike Charlotte website goes live.
  • Free Bicycle Education Class registrations are open. Check the class schedules to be sure you get one of the limited spots.
  • Nominations for Bicycle Champion of the Year can be submitted. Deadline is May 12th.
  • Nomination for Bicycle-Friendly Business of the Year can be submitted. Deadline is May 12th.
  • People-Powered Bike Lane Sweeper miles begin to accumulate. Deadline is May 12th.
  • Activity listings can be submitted for listing on the Bike Charlotte website. Listed activities must be held between May 5th and May 31st.
• May 5th
  • The Official Bike Charlotte kick-off is on National Ride A Bike Day! Remember to add the hashtag #bikecharlotte to your pics for a chance to win one of three opening-day prizes.
• May 31st
  • This is the last day for Bike Charlotte 
• June 15th
  • Bike Charlotte website officially closes down. 

Yes, the city teamed up with WeeklyRides.com in 2023 to continue the BIKE CHARLOTTE tradition.

WeeklyRides has been the prominent resource for cycling information in Charlotte since 2007. So, working with the city and the community to create a place for BIKE CHARLOTTE makes perfect sense. But now it's up to us, the community, to make it great. Please share the website with your friends, family, and networks, along with your rides, events, and anything bicycle-related. Let's Keep This Going!

BIKE CHARLOTTE is for anyone and everyone. As a community, we use this time to engage others that already ride but to also, and more importantly, engage others that don't. It's an opportunity to share information and encourage participation in bicycling. In the end, it's all about More Butts On Bikes!

First, kudos to you for sharing your passion for cycling with our community. #RockStar

Sharing your activity or event is as easy as clicking the "SUBMIT YOUR ACTIVITY" button at the top of the page. Answer a few questions, add a few details, upload a flyer if you have one, and you're done. Easy Peasy!

If you have any questions, email info@weeklyrides.com. BIKE CHARLOTTE is a collection of community-hosted events shared by good folks like you. #sharingiscaring 

BIKE CHARLOTTE is a collection of group rides, clinics, social events, gatherings, you name it. If it's centered around bicycles or bicycling, it's good to go. Here are some urban bicycle ride ideas that can provide a mix of exploration, exercise, and enjoyment while navigating city streets:

• Historical Tour: Design a route that takes cyclists past significant historical landmarks and sites in the city. Include stops at museums, monuments, and historic neighborhoods to learn about the city's rich heritage.
• Art and Culture Ride: Explore the city's vibrant art scene by cycling to various street art installations, galleries, and public sculptures. Incorporate stops at cultural institutions, theaters, and performance venues for a well-rounded experience.
• Foodie Adventure: Plan a culinary tour by biking to local eateries, food trucks, and farmers' markets. Sample a diverse range of cuisines and specialties while discovering hidden culinary gems in different neighborhoods.
• Green Spaces Expedition: Discover urban oases and green spaces by cycling through parks, gardens, and nature reserves within the city. Explore scenic trails, lakeshores, and botanical gardens for a refreshing escape from the urban hustle and bustle.
• Architectural Marvels Route: Pedal past iconic architectural landmarks, modern skyscrapers, and historic buildings while learning about the city's architectural evolution. Consider including guided tours or architectural talks at key sites along the route.
• Neighborhood Exploration: Choose a specific neighborhood or district and explore its unique character, shops, cafes, and community spaces. Cycle through residential streets, cultural hubs, and vibrant commercial areas to experience the local lifestyle.
• Night Ride Adventure: Experience the city in a different light by embarking on a night ride. Explore illuminated landmarks, vibrant nightlife districts, and nocturnal attractions while enjoying the cooler evening temperatures and atmospheric ambiance.
• Fitness Challenge: Organize a group fitness ride with intervals or challenges along the route, such as hill climbs, sprints, or endurance loops. Incorporate scenic rest stops and hydration breaks to keep participants motivated and engaged.
• Seasonal Theme Ride: Tailor the ride to coincide with seasonal events or themes, such as a holiday lights tour, cherry blossom ride in spring, foliage tour in fall, or festive decorations ride during the holiday season.

Feeling motivated? We hope so. You can submit your activities to share during Bike Charlotte HERE.  

PS: Remember to prioritize safety by choosing bike-friendly routes, obeying traffic laws, and wearing helmets. Additionally, consider the fitness level and preferences of participants when planning the ride to ensure an enjoyable experience for all.

We always recommend planning your event in the safest way, considering everyone who might attend. Ann Groninger of Bike Law NC shares these tips to ensure everything goes well. 

If someone gets hurt during my event, will I be responsible?

The short answer: likely not. As a ride organizer, you should feel comfortable planning an event without risking legal liability.
Planning a safe route is a must, and there are other steps you can take to minimize your risk (and everyone else’s) even further:

• Plan your route:  Choose roads that are appropriate for the skill level of riders you expect to join your event. Planning the right route is your most important safety step as an event organizer.
• Check your route: Pre-ride your route during the time of day that your event will take place; traffic at noon may be very different from traffic at 5 pm. Look for dangerous road defects. You can avoid these areas or alert participants to the hazard.
• Have a leader and a sweeper: Have someone in front who knows the route and someone in the back who signals and can help stragglers or those with mechanical
  problems.
• Communicate with attendees:  Help your attendees prepare for the event by:
  • Pre-publishing your route so they can upload it to their own devices.
  • Or provide printed routes, including emergency numbers, if appropriate.
  • Make pre-ride announcements about signaling and other safe riding behaviors.
  • Be clear that proper equipment is required (Helmet, a functional bicycle, and, if appropriate, lights). Helmets are legally required for children under 16, and lights are legally required after dark.
• Have a waiver:  A waiver informs participants of the risks of an activity and has them sign their names, acknowledging that they accept that risk. Waivers don’t have to be difficult and can be signed online or in person. Click HERE to see a sample waiver from the League of American Bicyclists. You can cut and paste and insert your Event/Group name. It does not have to be perfect, as long as it is informative and explains to participants that they are accepting the risks of riding a bicycle on the road with other riders.
• Check your insurance: 
  • You don’t have to have insurance to plan a ride event, so this first piece of advice is for everyone, whether you’re planning a ride event or not. Everyone should have liability insurance to protect their assets. General liability insurance for individuals is included in homeowner’s policies. If you have no assets and don’t plan to ever have any, then you probably don’t need this insurance. If you have assets, you should have enough insurance to protect them. How much is enough? Your insurance agent can help you decide, considering how much you own and need to protect.
  • Having liability insurance coverage means that if your neighbor or some random person thinks that you did something that caused them physical injury, your insurance will (1) pay for the damage if you are responsible and (2), most importantly, pay for your legal defense. The policy also has exclusions, so read those carefully to ensure they don’t apply to situations you are concerned about.
  • In the context of a ride event, in the very remote possibility that someone gets hurt, and they think it’s your fault, and they think you should pay for their injuries, you would turn it over to your homeowner’s insurance company to handle.
  • For very large, organized events or regularly scheduled events, or if required by a sponsor or event location owner, you could consider additional event coverage. Specific recommendations are beyond the scope of this response. Just know that they exist, and you can buy them if you want to. The League of American Bicyclists offers more information HERE.

In conclusion, you absolutely must put thought into planning a safe route. Of course, there are no guarantees that any route is 100% safe, but you must do your due diligence. Beyond that, these recommendations are here to help you cover your bases and to answer questions I get every day from groups around the state. Most of all, enjoy the ride!

Thanks, Ann. Your input is always so helpful. Ann can be contacted directly at