CHARLOTTE, N.C.-A bike lane is one sign of the changes Charlotte has made over
the last decade to improve bike safety. South Charlotte resident said Jeff Viscount,"It's obvious that something needs to be done."

Viscount said the city's sidewalks are poor alternatives to open roads. "You can be riding along a chunk of concrete is missing and those sort of things allow you to lose your balance," said Viscount.

A new public service announcement about bike safety is in memory of Mount Pleasant Cyclist Adam Little who was killed two years ago by a distracted driver. It's a problem that is all too familiar for personal injury lawyer Ann Groninger She represents bike crash victims as part of her firm www.bikelaw.com: "The common thread is people not being aware and people not paying attention," said Groninger.

Groninger is working to improver Driver's education and drivers tests to include more awareness about cyclists.

Bart Stelter of Queen City Bicycles said, "As there are more bike amenities and more riders, people become more accustomed to cyclists." As Jeff Viscount posts various bike rides to his website www.weeklyrides.com, he says he rides to stay active after he was sidelined by knee surgeries and hip replacements. "It's easier for me to ride a bike than walk down the street," Viscount said.

While some cyclists end up on sidewalks, the City's law says cyclists should ride on the right
side of the lane in the same direction of traffic.