As our fair city strives to become a more cyclist-friendly place, the 2011 edition of BIKE! Charlotte kicks off on April 29 to help drive that idea home.

For 17 days — through May 15 — the Q.C. will play host to a number of bicycle-related events, which are designed to encourage family, friends and colleagues to "break out the bike and use it as a means of transportation and recreation."

The festivities get rolling with Mayor Anthony Foxx's ride at the Dowd YMCA in Uptown. "We usually have about 300 cyclists out on that first day," said event director Neal Boyd, adding that Bike! Charlotte has grown by leaps and bounds since it started 11 years ago.

According to Foxx, riding around the city on two wheels puts an entirely different gloss on the city: "You see the interface between bicycles and traffic. It can be dangerous if the facilities for bikers aren't present."

The ultimate intention of the 2011 edition of BIKE! Charlotte is to empower citizens to incorporate bikes into their lives — whether they're pedaling to the post office, the supermarket, church, work or wherever.

"I really want to see our community step up on bicycles a little bit more," said Foxx, "and embrace bicycling as a mode of transportation."

For more information, visit www.bikecharlotte.org.

2nd Annual Transportation Issue: Part I of III

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U.S. Cycling Center sets up shop in Rock Hill
9 must-have items for cyclists
The best and worst neighborhoods for biking
One biker's 'dream cycles'
Get ready to 'Bike! Charlotte'
Learn to ride, courtesy of Harley-Davidson