2023 has been an exciting year for BikeWalk NC, highlighted by the work of new staff, growth of the NC Friendly Driver Program, continued legislative advocacy, and an educational and engaging NC BikeWalk Transportation Summit.
In late 2022, Program Manager Laila Horton and Community Outreach Coordinator Oliver Sendall joined the BikeWalk NC team and have worked together to grow its educational program offerings, expand the organization’s social media presence and membership communications, and take the lead in planning the NC BikeWalk Transportation Summit.
Through these efforts BikeWalk NC was able to present the NC Friendly Driver program to over 400 participants through online and in person presentations throughout the state. The NC Friendly Driver Program is supported by a grant from the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program and provides important information to help motorists safely co-exist with bicyclists and other vulnerable road users.
With the addition of staff support, Executive Director Terry Lansdell and BikeWalk NC Board Members have had the opportunity to focus more of their attention on advocacy efforts, such as participating in the Lobbying Day at the League of American Bicyclists National Summit, and continuing efforts at the State level to repeal the Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding Limitation; a 2013 law prohibiting funding of stand alone Bicycle-Pedestrian infrastructure projects.
In September, the City of Salisbury and Catawba College served as host to the 2023 NC BikeWalk Transportation Summit. Over 200 attendees from 59 North Carolina cities and towns were treated to speaker sessions covering a variety of topics, highlighted by the keynote address by Erick Cedeño, The Bicycle Nomad.
Coverage of the 2023 Summit by the Salisbury Post can be found HERE, and the complete playlist of 2023 Summit session videos can be found HERE.
The staff and board of BikeWalk NC are already well into the planning process for next year’s Summit, and we look forward to sharing exciting news of the 2024 Summit in the coming weeks.
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We hope you will consider joining or renewing your membership with us, or consider making a donation to BikeWalk NC. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference, and is truly appreciated. Together, we can enable the creation of safer, healthier, and more connected communities, accessible for all.
On behalf of the board and staff of BikeWalk NC, we would like to wish you all a safe and happy New Year in 2024. Your support means the world to us.
