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Charlotte volunteers use people-powered "Pebbles" to sweep litter from bike lanes
Summary
A volunteer-led, people-powered bike-lane sweeper called Pebbles, launched with more than $2,000 raised on GoFundMe, is being used in Charlotte to push glass, rocks and other debris out of bike lanes; volunteers and city recognition aim to boost safety and upkeep.
Ramos Tadros noticed bike lanes in Charlotte were "always full of glass, rocks, broken car parts, nails," and decided to act. He launched a GoFundMe and raised over $2,000 to buy a people-powered sweeper nicknamed Pebbles, which uses spinning brushes to push debris to the side of the lane.
The device is intended for volunteers to push along bike lanes. "I wanted a way to do something about it, and, and I kinda wanted to take things into my own hands," Tadros said. He and other volunteers demonstrate how to push Pebbles and "every once in a while, look behind you to see the damage you've done," Tadros said.
Volunteer Ryan Johnson said he learned about Pebbles from Tadros, donated to the campaign and began taking the sweeper out occasionally to clean bike lanes near his home. "I'm just kinda doing it for the love of it," Johnson said after logging the most miles using Pebbles last year.
The Charlotte Department of Transportation recognized Johnson with the Pebbles Mileage Monarch Award for logging the most miles using Pebbles in 2025. Organizers say Pebbles is stored at the Innovation Barn and that members of the public can check it out there.
Supporters and users describe the device as a small, low-cost way to improve safety and the day-to-day experience for people who bike. "See how something small can make a big difference in our community," the narrator said.
The segment did not record any formal city action or funding beyond the GoFundMe campaign and the city recognition noted; organizers encourage volunteers to try Pebbles and to check availability at the Innovation Barn.
