Thomas Weybrecht: From Newsroom to Bike Advocate

Tell us a bit about yourself and this room you're standing in right now.

Thomas Weybrecht (TW): This is the production control room at Spectrum News in Raleigh, North Carolina. I'm a news producer here, and I love what I do. It’s a unique position that lets me communicate the things I care about and hopefully make a difference by putting them on broadcast.

That's what you do for a living, but what's your story? Where are you from?

TW: I grew up outside of Wilmington, North Carolina, in Leland. It’s a beautiful historic area near the coast, but growing up in Leland had its challenges. A lot of my friends were in Wilmington, and without a driver’s license until I was 18, I didn’t have many ways to access all the things I loved about the city. Leland was fine, but it wasn’t as lively, and you could feel that disconnect when you couldn’t get somewhere easily.

You picked up biking as an adult in college, right?

TW: Yeah. I went to ECU for journalism—and because they had a really cool marching band. I was on the drumline for a couple of years. College was where I first experienced a place where you could bike everywhere. I picked up a bike early on, partly because it just made sense. Before that, I’d biked to high school to avoid waiting for the cold bus or sitting in traffic. The freedom of biking really stuck with me.

Did you take your high school bike to college?

TW: I did. That one was a basic $50 Giant I bought off Facebook Marketplace. It was a grocery-getter and had been through the ringer, but it got me where I needed to go. It’s still in the shed at home. I should probably pull it out sometime.

Word on the street is you have quite the bike story from Wilmington. What’s that about?

TW: So, in the summers, I’d be back in Wilmington or Leland, and I didn’t want to give up that feeling of getting around on a bike. One day, I saw these bike taxis—pedicabs—downtown and thought, “That looks awesome.” I befriended a rider, asked how to get involved, and before I knew it, I was working for Port City Bike Taxi for the next four summers.

It was a wild time. I’d be picking up all kinds of people—sometimes pulling loads way too heavy—but you make it work. Downtown Wilmington is way hillier than it looks, especially heading down to the water. But it was great. I met so many people, like folks from Germany who talked about how integrated biking is into their everyday life. It opened my eyes to what the world could be if more people biked.

Do you have a favorite memory from those summers?

TW: There was one time I picked up a couple from a wedding who’d clearly had a great time. They loved their ride but didn’t have any cash to tip me. They did offer me a bag of cocaine, which I politely declined. That’s just how it was—you never knew what kind of characters you’d meet or what stories you’d hear.

How did you end up in Raleigh?

TW: News brought me here. I started in TV as a news producer in Greenville and eventually made the jump to Raleigh to work for Spectrum News. We do a statewide show, so I get to cover everything from the mountains to the coast. I’ve really grown to appreciate Raleigh’s urbanism and its biking culture.

You’ve brought up transit and biking a few times. Why do you think they’re important?

TW: Covering different parts of North Carolina, you see such a range of communities. Some have excellent transit systems, while others barely have sidewalks. Cars are often the only option, but that’s expensive and not sustainable for everyone. Biking offers a real solution, but for it to work, we need better infrastructure—protected bike lanes, better lighting on greenways, things like that.

It’s not about getting rid of cars; it’s about giving people options. I’ve realized over the years how much bikes can transform how you connect with a place and its people.

What are bikes to you today? How do they fit into your life?

TW: Bikes are everything. When I moved to Raleigh, I got a red, white, and blue Trek 1500, and it’s completely reignited my love for cycling. In my first year riding here, I lost 20 pounds and gained so much mental clarity. Bikes are empowering—they’re simple to maintain, easy to use, and they help you meet incredible people.

There’s this whole community in Raleigh that’s kind of under the radar. Rides like the Espresso Express and the Crank Arm rides have introduced me to so many amazing folks. On a bike, you’re part of your surroundings in a way you can’t be in a car.

I heard you’re involved with the Trolley Pub now. What’s the story there?

TW: I’ve always enjoyed mixing my communication skills with biking, and the Trolley Pub felt like a natural fit. It’s not the same as cycling, but there’s something fun about showing people the city while they pedal and hang out. It’s in Raleigh’s Warehouse District, where some of the best biking happens, so I get to share that perspective with others.

What are your bike-related goals for 2025?

TW: Me and two friends set a goal to ride 5,000 miles this year. We’ve got a Strava group to hold ourselves accountable. I also want to ride a century, take more mechanic classes at The Bike Library, and, most importantly, get more people on bikes.

Catch Thomas riding around Raleigh, leading Trolley Pub tours, or working on his next big story. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just curious about biking, he’s always up for a chat about life on two wheels.