WBTV 3 News, Weather, Sports, and Traffic for Charlotte, NC-Consumer Stories...The bicycles are coming to you

Consumer Stories...The bicycles are coming to you

By Kristen Miranda - bio l email

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - The Urban Living Showcase is a chance for people who are thinking about living in Charlotte's Uptown or the South End districts to dip their toes in the water and see if it's really for them.

On the tour this time around is the Circle at South End.  The brand new, and very environmentally friendly, apartment complex on South Boulevard has a focus on both it's residents and giving back to the environment.

That's why the people who live there have bicycles at their disposal free of charge.  They are the collapsible kind that property managers say they can tool around the neighborhood on or bring with them on the Light Rail to ride around other parts of town.

Dianna Ward thinks it's a great idea.  She's an avid bike rider.

"The most joy I ever experience is when I'm out on my bike," Ward said.  "There's something really free about being out on the street with no metal around you and using the energy God gave us to get to any destination."

She has turned that joy for riding into a business.  Ward would like to see more people hopping on two wheels instead of hopping into four.  Charlotte NC Tours is the name under which she will offer bicycle tours of Charlotte, either guided or on your own.  You can rent bikes there by the day.

She also has other environmentally-friendly rides like Segways and electric cars.

"In other countries, they have learned you can do just about anything you need to do and get about anywhere you need to get on a bicycle," Ward said.  "I know it will take some convincing but I really think people need to get off of their couches and try it."

For more information about the Urban Living Showcase, the apartment complex or the bike tours, click on the links located on the right.