TCA website launch press release

The TCA’s new website is the result of many months of planning, research, and editing. Today, we’re proud to finally unveil it to our long-time friends and supporters as well as new participants in the discussion about sustainable transportation!

We distributed a press release this morning:

“MoveCharlotteSmarter.org provides a place where the Greater Charlotte community can get the latest on local transportation news and events, demonstrate their support for more transportation choices by becoming a member of the alliance, and take concrete actions to help move us toward a transportation network that benefits our health, our climate, and our wallets.”
— Shannon Binns, Executive Director, Sustain Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC – To help educate, engage, and unite Charlotte area residents on local transportation issues, today, Sustain Charlotte announced the launch of MoveCharlotteSmarter.org. The site represents the official educational and engagement platform for the Transportation Choices Alliance (TCA) — an initiative Sustain Charlotte kicked-off in January of this year.

“Transportation is at the crux of making Greater Charlotte a healthier, more vibrant community for generations to come,” said Shannon Binns, executive director of Sustain Charlotte. “MoveCharlotteSmarter.org provides a place where the Greater Charlotte community can get the latest on local transportation news and events, demonstrate their support for more transportation choices by becoming a member of the alliance, and take concrete actions to help move us toward a transportation network that benefits our health, our climate, and our wallets.”

The mission of the TCA is to increase transportation choices, and their use, throughout the Charlotte region to improve traffic, air quality, public health, mobility, and the economy. More transportation choices means more safe and convenient opportunities to take a bus, catch a train, ride a bike, or walk. The primary goals of the alliance are to:

• Play a critical role in the creation of a more accessible, affordable, and sustainable transportation system in the Charlotte region.
• Represent community interests, educate decision makers and the public, attract media attention and impact funding decisions related to transportation.
• Ensure implementation of the region’s 2030 Transit Plan as well as local plans for enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
• Educate the public and decision makers on the benefits that implementing these plans will bring to our region.

In addition to providing local transportation news and information, the MoveCharlotteSmarter.org platform of the TCA will serve as a resource and engagement hub where Charlotte area residents can:

• Join the Transportation Choices Alliance
• Learn about the benefits of biking, walking, and riding transit
• Stay up to date on transportation news and events in the Charlotte region
• Take action to demonstrate their support for more transportation choices
• Learn about outcomes of local transportation meetings, plans, decisions, and research, and provide comments via the TCA blog

“Through the new website, we plan to educate residents on the benefits of sustainable transportation and keep them informed of local developments. The TCA provides a bridge between data-backed quantitative research and the policies and practices that make the Charlotte region a healthier place to live,” said Meg Fencil, Education and Program Director for Sustain Charlotte.

The TCA, modeled after other community-based transportation alliances around the country, is a coalition of individual and organizational members. Over 25 organizations have joined as Founding Members, including: Alta Planning + Design, Greater Charlotte Apartment Association, AARP North Carolina, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, Biddleville Smallwood Community Organization, BikeWalk NC, Carolina Thread Trail, Catawba Lands Conservancy, Catawba Riverkeeper, Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance, Charlotte Public Tree Fund, Charlotte Spokes People, Clean Air Carolina, Crisis Assistance Ministry, CROWN Charlotte Chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, Historic Washington Heights Community Organization, NC Central Piedmont Group of the Sierra Club, Queen City Forward, SAFE – North Meck, Safe Routes to School Partnership, Surfrider Foundation Charlotte Chapter, Trips for Kids, UNC Charlotte IDEAS Center, and UNC Charlotte Parking and Transportation Services.

Funding for the Transportation Choices Alliance has been provided by the American Public Transportation Association, the New Belgium Brewing Foundation, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and the Knight Foundation. Member supporters also include Alta Planning + Design and Natural Resources Defense Council.

For additional information about the Transportation Choices Alliance and to become a member, visit www.movecharlottesmarter.org.

About the Transportation Choices Alliance
The Transportation Choices Alliance was launched in January 2014 by Sustain Charlotte after more than a year of research and partnership building. The mission of the alliance is to increase transportation choices and their use throughout the Charlotte region to improve traffic, air quality, public health, mobility and the economy. In 2014, priorities of TCA are to grow awareness of the alliance and its membership, increase awareness and support for the 2030 Transit Plan, and promote the connections between our economy, our quality of life, and more transportation choices.

About Sustain Charlotte
Sustain Charlotte is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, engaging and uniting citizens to solve Charlotte’s sustainability challenges. We inspire choices that lead to a healthier and more vibrant community for generations to come.