(by Ely Portillo, Charlotte Observer)

Charlotte is still an auto-centric city, but there’s a push to make it more hospitable for those on foot or bicycle.

A slate of events this week are designed to promote development that provides safer ways to get around for pedestrians and bicyclists. Gil Penalosa, an urban planner and founder of 8 80 Cities, addressed local political and business leaders Wednesday morning.

“You need to start building infrastructure, and then people will use it,” said Penalosa. “All of this is about, how do we want to live?”

Sustain Charlotte is holding its first Biketoberfest on Saturday, a ride and scavenger hunt through Charlotte that will end with a party at Triple C Brewing Co. [In addition to organizing Biketoberfest and acting as local host for the 2015 NC Bike Summit this week, Sustain Charlotte also organized a cross-city bike ride and discussion with Gil Penalosa and local cycling leaders on October 14.]

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