Chapel Hill: National Bike Month Celebration 2021
Bicycle Focus Friday Series: Final, Part IV
Summer of Cycling the Underground Railroad & Life Lessons Learned
In 2011 a determined and amazing group of young people made a journey that changed their lives and the way they would see the world moving forward. One said, “This wasn’t just biking, there’s purpose for the tour, it just, kind-of-like, it woke us all up.” They noted that they “learned the struggle, accomplishment and untold history of people of color.”
2021 marks Triangle Bikeworks 10th anniversary and with it we celebrate the heroic accomplishment of the first SpokenRev Team to cycle a complete path of the Underground Railroad (almost 1800 miles).
Summer of Cycling the Underground Railroad & Life Lessons Learned
2021 June 14 – 17: Community Lunch and Learn Virtual Bike Tour with Triangle Bikeworks
Triangle Bikeworks will host its annual community Lunch & Learn series June 14, 2021 – June 17, 2021 from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM.
This summer’s Lunch & Learn focus is “The Great Migration,” the movement of 6 million African Americans out of the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest and West that occurred between 1916 and 1970.
This series of educational, online lectures will help those who are curious about the hidden history of “The Great Migration” learn a few of the important facts that the Triangle Bikeworks youth will uncover as they cycle through the route of The Great Migration in the summer of 2022.
This event is FREE to the public with a suggested donation of $10-$100 to support the youth programming of Triangle Bikeworks.
Here’s the week’s line up:
June 14th Day 1 – Untold Stories of The Great Migration
June 15th Day 2 – Nature, Environment, and The Great Migration
June 16th Day 3 – Emotional Impacts of The Great Migration
June 17th Day 4 – Cultural Legacies of The Great Migration
REGISTER HERE: https://www.spokenrevolutions.org/the-great-migration/
Triangle Bikeworks is a youth development organization with a mission to strengthen the power of youth who are Black, Latine, Asian, Indigenous, and People Of Color to overcome challenges, achieve audacious goals, and discover their true selves.
Discover more at www.trianglebikeworks.org
It is great to thank the frontline folks that have been there every day helping move us through the last year! As tomorrow comes, find a way to say thank you and if possible RIBBON YOUR BICYCLE as a salute to these great folks and bike to work or school! Happy Bike Month!
Bike Friday Focus Part II – Low Gas Offers No Fee Cycling & Transit Opportunity!
As finding gas for cars becomes more difficult, it becomes easier to grab a bicycle and get to where we need to be! And if it is a long way to work or errands, put your bike on a bus (all are no charge and all have bike racks)! Check out the How to Load Bike on Bus Video and don’t forget to grab the Maps for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC-CH for best local routes! AND Chapel Hill Transit Routes/Schedules easily found online!
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North Carolina Bicycle Laws in Five Languages
Thank you Carrboro Bicycle Coalition
North Carolina Bike Laws
NC Bike laws in different languages.
- Spanish – las leyes de tránsito de bicicletas de carolina del norte
- Burmese – Karen – မြောက်ကယ်ရိုလိုင်းနား၏စက်ဘီးအသွားအလာဥပဒေများ
- Arabic – قوانين مرور الدراجات في شمال كارولينا
- Swahili – sheria za trafiki za baiskeli za carolina kaskazini
- Kinyarwanda – amagare yumuhanda amategeko ya karolina yamajyaruguru
- English – North Carolina Bicycle Traffic Laws
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Chapel Hill is celebrating National Bike Month with Covid Careful Activity for 2021. Following are Bike Month Activities which are subject to being added to as time goes on!
Pictures: Email to goch@townofchapelhill.org and we will post! Or #GoChapelHillBikeMonth to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!
- May 6 – How to Find the Right Bike For You – May 6, Go Triangle’s Webinar – Whether you already own a bike or would like to, GoTriangle would like to help you find the right bike for you. To RSVP click Register Here for Bike Webinar for the May 6 webinar! #mayisbikemonth #goperks
- Chapel Hill Parks – Bicycle to the Chapel Hill Parks and explore. Don’t forget to post a pic!
- Maps – Check out the online Bike Map for bike facilities and trails and enjoy a day getting to know Chapel Hill.
- Focus Fridays Bike – Watch for the Focus Friday Series for Bike Month Videos. Sign up for the Town’s E-News to view these and other great Chapel Hill stories and information!
- Scavenger Hunt – Join in a BACH/Go Chapel Hill Bingo Scavenger Hunt – stay tuned for details!
- May 21 – Decorate Your Bike in Salute to Frontline Heros and Ride to Work or School on May 21st!
- Searching for Ents – Read a good book – Lord of the Rings by Tolkien and find the 12 Hidden Ents on Bolin Creek Trail between Umstead Park and the Tunnel at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. And DON’T FORGET TO POST PICTURES!!!
- Bike NC – Check out upcoming Fall rides – Coast, Mountains and Coast to Mountain
And of course, be sure to watch for other excellent bike month activities all over!
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Go Buddy (Bike) Program
The First Trip Can Be Tricky
Taking that first trip is sometimes tricky when not being familiar with how to get from here to there. Chapel Hill offers a way to get to know that new way to get about by bicycle, bus, walk or telework for work. A buddy can offer information on what is the best beginning of that new way for work. Contact us at goch@townofchapelhill.org for additional information. Note: During the COVID 19 pandemic, the program is temporarily waiting regarding the travel buddy, BUT the no charge travel package is available for order as well as other information and assistance.
Go Buddy Basics
1. Concerned About An Emergency?
- Set up a free account at Emergency Ride Home for Triangle Area
- If an emergency arises and you need to arrive home immediately (or you get sick or twist an ankle, etc.) go to the website to get a Zero Charge Ride Home
- Once the account is set up, just call the number and a taxi will come to you at NO CHARGE and take you anywhere you need to go for any REAL emergency!
2. What About My Best Route?
- Go Chapel Hill provides Individualized Route Planning assistance, Bike Maps, NC Bicycle Laws, safety equipment such as lights, bells or whistles, as well as other useful bicycle gear.
- Once COVID 19 is managed, a buddy for riding to work for a few days, will begin providing ways to feel more comfortable when riding on the roads of Chapel Hill. To be part of the Go Buddy Bicycle program, email goch@townofchapelhill.org for more information
3. Are There Any Incentives?
A: Earn Points Towards Drawings Year-Round
- Set up an account at Share the Ride NC – Track Your Trips To Earn Points!
- Log in all bicycle use (as well as telework, transit, walk, carpool)
- At end of month, enter total points for specific gift card drawing of your choice
B: Coffee Commute Club – Starbucks Wooden Nickel
- Join Commute Birthday Benefits at the Go Chapel Hill Website
- Use your bicycle or other forms of alternative transportation 4 times annually
- Receive a Wooden Nickel for a free drink at Starbucks
4. How Do I Find Out About Current or New Information?
For up to date information follow Go Chapel Hill at
- Twitter @GoChapelHill
- Instagram Go Chapel Hill
- Facebook Go Chapel Hill (.org)
- Facebook Joe – Switching Gears Duck (youth information)
- Website GoChapelHill.org
Go Buddy – Transit
Chapel Hill Transit System has masks available for anyone that rides Chapel Hill Transit and there is limited ridership per bus in order to make sure there is distance for all riding. For information regarding Chapel Hill Transit, routes & schedules and how to ride transit, can be found online. There is no fare upon entry to the buses – a Zero Fare System!
Scheduled for 2021, the Go Buddy program should begin.
How Do I Ride on a Chapel Hill Transit Bus: How to Ride Guide
General Information: Chapel Hill Transit General Information
Routes & Schedule: Chapel Hill Transit Routes and Schedules
Where To Park and Ride CHT: Park & Ride
EZ Rider (para-transit service) is a demand-response, shared ride service providing origin-to-destination (generally means door to door) service on an advance reservation basis. EZ Rider transports individuals who are unable to use the fixed route system (some or all of the time) due to a disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). EZ Rider uses lift-equipped vehicles serving the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and surrounding areas within ¾ of a mile of the fixed-route bus system. For more information regarding para-transit-EZ Rider Service
Go Buddy – Bike
- Go Chapel Hill provides Individualized Route Planning assistance, Bike Maps, NC Bicycle Laws, safety equipment such as lights, bells or whistles, as well as other useful bicycle gear. Contact goch@townofchapelhill.org for this package of information.
- Once COVID 19 is managed, a buddy for riding to ride for a few days, will begin to provide ways to feel more comfortable when riding on the roads of Chapel Hill. To be part of the Go Buddy Bicycle program, email goch@townofchapelhill.org for more information
- To be part of the the Go Buddy Bike program, it is important to receive several trainings following.
Training Part I: To Be Part of the Go Buddy Bike program please view the following required video and answer a quick set of questions based on info learned in the following video. Answer a Few Questions About the Video
2. Bike on Bus Practice Rack & Fix It Station
- To learn how to load a bicycle onto a bus check out the practice rack on Franklin Street in front of Carolina Coffee Shop next to the CHT Bus Stop
- For access to bicycle adjustment tools for quick adjustment, check out the Fix-It Station across from the Bus Practice Rack
- Be sure to wear, mask, gloves, wash hands and use hand sanitizer before and after use
Training Part II: Please watch the following video and send 2 lessons learned to goch@townofchapelhill.org .
How to Load A Bike Onto Bus, Town of Carrboro-OC-GoCH
2. Bicycle Training Videos
Training Part III: As part of Go Buddy Bike training, please watch at least 5 of following videos and send 2 lessons learned from each of the five videos to goch@townofchapelhill.org
Video 1 – You Don’t Have To Be In The Band To Bicycle, Go ChapelHill
Video 2 – NC Bicycle Laws, Chapel Hill Police
Video 3 – Garage to Street, Bicycle A, B, C’s – The Clean Machine
Video 4 – Street Cycling & Parking a Bike, Town of Chapel Hill
Video 5 – Easy Riding Trails in Orange County, OC
Video 6 – UNC-CH Bike Map Info for Campus, Chapel Hill & Carrboro, TDM UNC-CH
Video 7 – Cycling Safety Tips, Watch For Me NC
Video 8 – Bolts, Breaks, & Tires – Back Alley Bikes
Video 9 – Bike Alliance Chapel Hill (BACH) – Who We Are
Video 10 – Carrboro Bike Coalition (CBC) – Who We Are!
Video 11 – The ReCYCLEry – Who We Are!
Video 12 – Cycling & Emergency Vehicles, Drive Safely,Ride Safely- OC
Video 13 – Let’s Go Biking – NCDOT
Video 14 – Shifting Gears – League of American Bicyclists
Video 15 – Starting & Stopping – League of American Bicyclists
Video 16 – Who is the Carrboro Bike Coalition & What do they do!!?
End of Go Buddy Trainings
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Ribbon Your Bicycle
. . . As a thank you to the front line heroes taking care of the community!
Use ribbons, flags, streamers or anything that Will Show Thanks and post an image of your bicycle on Twitter and Instagram #GoChapelHillSalutetoHeros!
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Bicycle Month 2020
Bike Picture Or Art Contest
Age Group- 12 years & under, 13 – 17, 18 & above!
Get You Name in the Hat for Gift Card Drawings!
Rules:
1. Take a picture of a bicycle (you can be on the bike if you like)… OR, Draw a picture of a decorated bicycle.
2. Email to goch@townofchapelhill.org with understanding that submissions could be posted on Social Media!
3. Include your name, age, email and phone number
4. Drawings on June 1st – Winners will be notified by email and some pictures will be posted on the GoChapelHill.org webpage.
Great Ideas To Enjoy Bike to School Day – Practicing
1- GET OUT THERE: Get out for a walk or ride with your family! Can you take a ride around your neighborhood? Or take a walk to hunt for chalk art or signs created by others near you? Share a photo of your family or a location on your route with the tag #GoChapelHill.
2- SHARE: Do you have safety concerns with walking or biking around your neighborhood? Send information to goch@townofchapelhill.org
3- TALK: Hold a five-minute interview with family members about their experience walking or biking. Tag with #GoChapelHill and send to goch@townofchapelhill.org . Look into online resources and biking and walking activities encouraged by your state or community transportation departments and advocacy groups
Chapel Hill Receives Silver Bike Friendly Community Designation
The League of American Bicyclists has named Chapel Hill a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) at the silver level, an improvement from bronze.
“Chapel Hill is working to create a safer cycling environment and to make cycling a more convenient everyday choice,” said Bergen Watterson, the Town’s transportation planning manager. “We are especially pleased to see the improvement in our ranking, which reflects the staff work and public commitment toward this goal.”
The five levels of the BFC award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze, plus an honorable mention category and a no designation level – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve. Only two communities in North Carolina are at the silver level – Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The designation level is for four years.
According to the Dec. 6, 2018, announcement letter: “This decision involved careful review of your application and supplemental materials, as well as consultation with local cyclists and bike advocates. As you know, this award is presented only to communities with strong commitments to bicycling. You should be very proud of this accomplishment.”
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are generously supported by program partner Eco-Counter and by League Members. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA
Get Counted!
Chapel Hill is committed to increasing bicycling in the community through the improvement of streets, bike lanes and greenways within the Town’s jurisdiction. The Town Council adopted the Bicycle Plan in 2014 and in November 2015 Chapel Hill voters approved a $16.2 million bond measure which includes funding for bike lanes, greenways and other streetscape improvements that will improve biking and walking throughout Chapel Hill. More information about the Chapel Hill Bike Plan can be found here.
We have bike and pedestrian counters along 5 of our greenways. The data collected so far is just one number but soon we we will be able to report who is on 2 feet and who is on 2 wheels.
Go enjoy your greenways! We want you to help us make these numbers increase.
Too far to bike? Consider bike and busing it!
Did you know that all Chapel Hill buses are equipped to carry two bicycles? GoTriangle, too!
Check out a “how to” video below and learn more about this program
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Bicycle Education and Resources
Be sure to prepare yourself and know the rules of the road before heading out on your bike. Below are some resources that will help turn you into the savvy commuter you have always wanted to be:
- League of American Bicyclists – Tips for riding your bicycle in traffic, on bicycle trails, and off-road.
- Bicycle Information Center– Take initiative and learn how you can make your neighborhood safer for bicycles.
- Highway Safety Research Center– Bicycle safety and access tips, links and information.
Bike Parking at Scroggs Elementary at Southern Village
Go Chapel Hill! 
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