Bike Month in Durham

May is Bike Month in Durham, which is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the spring weather and save energy! Check out the exciting events taking place around the city throughout the month:

Bike Commute Coffee Club
Every Friday at 7:45 AM
Loaf Bakery, 111 W. Parrish St.

Bike Month Kickoff Bike Ride
Saturday, May 4, 11 AM
Ride starts at the Bull City Play Streets Event, Main St./Elm St.
Sponsored by Durham BPAC, Bike Durham and ECGA

Cyclist’s Social
Tuesday, May 7, 5-7 PM
Sunset Grille, 5850 Fayetteville Rd. #101
(Milepost 5.75 on the American Tobacco Trail)
Sponsored by Durham BPAC and Bike Durham

Kidical Mass
Saturday, May 11, 10 AM-12 PM
Northgate Park Picnic Shelter
Pre-registration at: http://durhamkidicalmass2013-biketoschool.eventbrite.com

Seven Stars Cycles Shop Sponsored Second Sunday Spin
Sunday, May 12, 10 AM
A 20-mile self-supported group ride, leaving from Seven Stars Cycles at 309 E. Chapel Hill St.

Cyclist’s Social
Monday, May 13, 5-7 PM
Bull McCabe’s, 427 W. Main St., in the Five Points area of historic downtown Durham
Sponsored by Durham BPAC and Bike Durham

“Free Bike Inspection Day”
Wednesday, May 15
Free inspections at Durham Cycles, Tip-Top Cycles, Seven Stars Cycles, REI (Durham, Raleigh and Cary), and The Bicycle Chain (Durham, Carrboro and Chapel Hill

Breakfast Social
Thursday, May 16, 7-9 AM
Ninth Street Bakery, 136 E. Chapel Hill St.
Cyclists enjoy free food and giveaways
Sponsored by Durham BPAC and Bike Durham

Bull City Tipping Point Bike Ride
Sunday, May 19, 2 PM
Ride starts at CCB Plaza, ends at Cocoa Cinnamon
For more information: http://www.facebook.com/bullcitytippingpoint

Durham BPAC Meeting
Tuesday, May 21, 7-9 PM
City Hall
Join Durham BPAC’s meeting and help brainstorm bicycle and pedestrian solutions for Durham – please bring your best ideas and we will give you coffee and pastries in return!

“Donate a Bike”
Wednesday, May 22 – For kids’ bikes: Downtown YMCA, 6-8 PM
Thursday, May 23 – For adult bikes: Bike Co-op, 7-10 PM
For more information: http://www.bikewalkdurham.org/

Bike to Star Trek Movie
Friday, May 24, 19:00 hours, Earth Eastern Standard Time
Meet at CCB Plaza
For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/152544091579141/?ref=2

Remember to check the Clean Energy Durham Facebook page throughout the month of May for event updates!

ACEEE Research Backs the Foundation of Clean Energy Durham’s Mission

I recently came across an article posted on the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) website, which outlined a research study that discussed how the cultural “norms” of living in the South was relevant to the ways people use energy.

As a student who has been interning with Clean Energy Durham for a little less than two months now, I have definitely come to see that the manner in which everyday energy savings practices are taught certainly has an effect on how people react to this knowledge, and it was interesting to look at how Southern “identity” affects energy efficiency practices in certain communities. Clean Energy Durham believes that neighbors can be one the ones to step up in a community and help neighbors learn the best ways to not only save energy, but save money, in their homes. Moreover, the neighbor-to-neighbor approach, which is prevalent in the Southern cultural norm of being friendly and welcoming to one’s neighbors, leads to a stronger community, and a network of households that continually helps each other in the process. Clean Energy Durham is continuing to move its neighborhood energy savings program, Pete Street™, across the nation, and it is through this Southern ideal that neighbors should help neighbors that the United States will see more energy savings on a community level.

To take a look at the ACEEE report, go to: http://aceee.org/research-report/b131

-Laura

Bus Buddy Coffee Stops Continue

We are continuing our Coffee Stops along the Bull City Connector.  If you are in the East Durham area stop by for a cup of coffee and some transit info THIS Wed. 2/20 – @ E. Main St. at Elizabeth St.  Enjoy a FREE “Cup of Joe” (compliments of Blend Café) while learning the best route to keep money in your pockets from a Personal Transportation Advisor. All current or future pedestrians, bike riders, bus riders, carpoolers, vanpoolers, and telecommuters are WELCOME!

When: Wed, February 20, 7am – 9am
Where: East Main Street & Elizabeth Street bus stop

-DeDreana

Clean Energy Durham’s Pete Street™ Launch in the News

Check out press coverage about Clean Energy Durham’s Pete Street™ Program, “a high-impact program that blends energy efficiency initiatives with neighbor-to-neighbor community development to help state residents reduce their energy consumption – and save money.”

-Tom

Get $450 in Duke Energy Smart $aver Rebates

Duke Energy provides up to $450 in rebates to North Carolina customers through their Smart $aver® Incentive Program who insulate and seal their homes using a contractor on the participating contractor list.  Visit Duke Energy’s website or call 866-785-6209 for more information.

Air sealing with foam in attic.

Air sealing is one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency improvements you can to your home—decreasing energy costs and improving comfort!

Attic Insulation & Air Sealing $250
Duct Sealing $100
Duct Insulation $75

Check out these other Smart $aver® Incentive Programs.

-Tom

Join Us for Bus Buddy ‘Coffee Stops’

This month Clean Energy Durham we will be holding coffee stops along the Bull City Connector route. The 1^st will be Wed. 1/16/13 from 7am-9am in front of Ninth Street Bakery, 136 E. Chapel Hill St., Downtown Durham. Please join us and invite others to join us for a free cup of coffee and answers to transit-related questions.  Check out the flyer for more information.

The Bus Buddy Program is a neighbor to neighbor transit education resource in different neighborhoods. With Bus Buddies in various neighborhoods volunteering their time to speak to their neighbors and friends about transit services and developing a transit network.

DeDreana

Make a New Year’s Resolution to Save Energy & Money!

Now that the New Year is well under way, why not take a moment to think about making some real changes to your energy habits this year.  Consider attending a 1-hr Basic Energy Eduction Workshop or a 90-minute Hands-On Workshop to learn do-it-yourself projects to save energy and money.  Contact us for more information about workshops in Durham, NC; Wilson, NC; Siler City, NC; or Warren County, NC at info@cleanenergydurham.org.