SAFE - North Meck is a bicycle infrastructure advocacy organization comprised of bicycle clubs and shops whose members and patrons use the roadways in North Mecklenburg County and the surrounding area for cycling. The surrounding area includes Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, South Iredell, Southwest Rowan and Northwest Cabarrus Counties. A large cycling population exists and contin
ues to grow in this area. When combined with the region's recent explosive population growth, both bicycles and automobiles are being forced to unsafely compete for inadequate road space. We believe with the implementation of minor and low-cost road design improvements (e.g. bike lanes, pavement markings, signage), bicycles and automobiles can safely co-exist on our local roadways. We will strive to nurture positive, open communication with community residents and leaders concerning our goals and efforts.
2. We will strive to establish a working relationship with local elected officials, town staff, local NCDOT Divisions and the NCDOT Division of Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation (DBPT).
3. We will strive to become the North Meck area's "go-to" community organization for local towns and the NCDOT to work with when maintaining and/or improving existing bicycle infrastructure, as well as when designing future bicycle infrastructure. We want to stay in front of these projects to ensure adequate attention is given to safe vehicle-bicycle accommodations.
4. We will provide input for each local town's Master Bikeway Plan. These plans will be thoroughly reviewed, suggested improvements or changes submitted, and timely follow-up reviews completed.
5. We will work with local towns and the DBPT to help identify local projects that meet DBPT criteria for fiscal consideration and inclusion in the DBPT's annual Bicycling Planning Grant Initiative.
6. We will strive to develop a thorough understanding of all current available funding sources that exist for bicycle infrastructure, such as grants, MPO's, state & federal transportation improvement programs, and the newly enacted Complete Streets program.
7. We will work with the NCDOT and local towns to develop other sources of funding for improving bicycle infrastructure, such as local bond referendums. Richard Kirkman, Founder
Cyclist & Huntersville Resident
