The fund was created with $600,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The goal is to make Charlotte more bike-friendly to help engage residents in community life and create incentives for talented people to live and stay in the city.

“City leaders are increasingly recognizing that a thriving Charlotte will help to attract and keep the young talent that contributes to a healthy economy, while encouraging people to make connections and get involved in civic life,” said Susan Patterson, Knight Foundation program director for Charlotte.

The metro area is at a crucial stage where development and redevelopment are occurring rapidly due to dramatic population growth, said Shannon Binns, founder and executive director of the non-profit Sustain Charlotte.