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November 2011
We are a member supported non-profit working to improve bicycling access, safety and education in South Carolina. |
Get your South Carolina Share the Road license plate today.
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Wondering what is going on this weekend in the SC bike community? Check out our calendar for events and more.
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Today is the Day: Federal Funding Threat
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For the third time in a month, a small group of Senators have targeted Transportation Enhancements (TE), which is the largest source of Federal bike/ped funding. This time, in an amendment proposed by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), TE is under direct attack. Under the Senator's amendment, all TE funding would be redirected to bridge repairs.
As we alerted you over the weekend, your action was needed to contact Senators Graham and DeMint to encourage them to vote  | |
The PCC is SC's biking voice to DC! Here bike advocates meet with SC Members of Congress.
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against this amendment, which is set for a vote TODAY. We will keep you posted on the outcome of this vote. While we agree on the need to keep our bridges safe, the lives of pedestrians and cyclists are important too. South Carolina especially cannot afford to lose what little funding we have. We rank 49th out of 50 for bicycle safety. Finally, it is a waste of the Senate's time and taxpayers dollars to focus on this small and valuable program when we are in dire need of real and viable solutions to fix our failing transportation system. |
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Driver Pleads Guilty in Burke Case
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Just over a year ago, Dr. Matthew Burke was riding in a group of 15 cyclists on a straight road in Beech Island when he and several others were struck by Daniel Johnson. Dr. Burke was the most severely injured and remained in a coma until he passed away in February of this year.
Daniel Johnson plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter on October 17 and was sentenced yesterday to 90 days in jail, five years of probation and the revocation of his license. So rarely are drivers held accountable for the deaths of cyclists that few cases ever make it this far in the legal system.
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Site of crash that fatally injured Matthew Burke. Photo by Augusta Chronicle.
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The Burke family is represented by Bikelaw's Peter Wilborn, who explained the importance of this conviction, "Matt Burke's legacy is that drivers can and should be treated as criminals for killing cyclists. Throughout the country, cycling deaths are regularly dismissed by law enforcement as mere traffic 'accidents.' But often they are not accidental, the needless fatalities are tragic consequences of reckless driving and lawless drivers. The driver's felony conviction here proves to police, policymakers, and drivers to take cycling safety seriously. This case from South Carolina is an example of how to do it right."
We commend Bikelaw and Peter for their outstanding work, and thank Second Circuit Solicitor Strom Thurmond Jr. and the law enforcement team that represented this tragic case.
We are proud that South Carolina is leading the way in bicycle justice! |
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Bike/Ped Campaign Training
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This weekend, the PCC will play host to the last of six Winning Campaigns Trainings this year, led by the Alliance for Biking & Walking. This dynamic and sought-after training focuses on the seven key skills of an effective campaign, in the context of biking and walking organizational building. The proven curriculum will help you choose, direct, and win campaigns to promote better biking and walking.
Stay tuned for the exciting campaigns that develop next weekend. These projects offer great promise for local and statewide bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. |
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Upcoming Complete Streets Workshops
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An incomplete street is the result of poor planning and engineering: precisely what we are working to eliminate.
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On November 16, along with AARP of South Carolina and Eat Smart Move More SC, we will host two Complete Streets workshops at the South Carolina Farmer's Market in West Columbia, SC. The workshops will be led by a Complete Street expert from North Carolina, Roger Henderson.
The workshops are an invaluable tool for any community or individual interested in learning more about Complete Streets or implementing Complete Streets within their community. We will identify the major challenges and common concerns to Complete Streets, and we will guide participants through the process of policy implementation and actual on-the-ground change.
Please join us and learn more about how we can all work together to improve the health and safety of our communities.
These workshops are free and open to the public; to register or find out more information, visit the event site. Contact Phoebe if you have any questions.
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Submit Your Comments to SCDOT on Lowcountry Projects
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In our August and September e-newsletters, we told you about the Beaufort Rail-Trail project and Edisto bike lanes, respectively. Since both of these projects are receiving Federal funding for their development and construction, SCDOT is required to release the plans for public comment.
You can view the plans and map for the Beaufort project here; the Edisto project may be viewed here.
We strongly encourage all of our members to submit positive and favorable comments on both projects--even if you do not live in either area. These are fantastic examples of how local municipalities can work in partnership with state agencies to leverage Federal funding for projects that improve bicycle safety and accessibility in South Carolina.
Comments are due November 10. You can submit comments three ways: online; by emailing Statewide Planning Chief, Mark Pleasant; or by mailing them to 955 Park St., PO Box 191, Columbia, SC 29202.
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Greenville County and Riding 2 Abreast
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Last month, Joe Dill of the Greenville County Council proposed a resolution to request an amendment to the state bicycle laws requiring bicyclist to ride single file. Your messages, emails and voices against the resolution helped show the Council that this resolution was not the right step to deal with the issue at hand. Instead, they have voted to form a committee to study the two-abreast issue further.
Research and case studies show that riding two abreast is safer as it makes bicyclists more visible. Review the reasons why two abreast is a better legislative option in our action alert.
This short-sighted resolution, while unlikely to be passed by the state legislature, does raise a valid issue about courtesy on the roads. We all understand how group riding can often bunch up and stretch out, making it difficult to maintain rigid order and perfect lines. However, we must attempt to correct these issues as they arise to make sure that we don't exceed more than two abreast. It is up to us to make sure our group rides stay legal and to educate those who may not know better. Peter Wilborn of Bikelaw wrote this insightful article on group riding that illustrates the need for communication on rides.
Keep all of this in mind as you ride and prove to the Greenville County Council that South Carolina's bicyclists do obey the law as it is currently written and ride safety on our roads. |
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Harborview Road in Charleston
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Good news out of Charleston this month! By an overwhelming majority, the Charleston County Council approved an alternative design for Harborview Road that features marked bike lanes on both sides of the road. This new design, advocated for by Charleston Moves, eliminates plans for a 10 ft separated multi-use path as the path would have actually been less safe due to numerous side streets and driveways where drivers would be less likely to anticipate bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
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Harborview Rd cross-section
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The changes won't be immediate; Charleston County Roadwise Director Jim Armstrong estimates that further permitting and studies could take another 18 months. Armstrong also estimated that the new design could cost an additional $1.4 million, but also said that the project is likely to stay within its $18 million budget. Savings could come from keeping the drainage ditches currently on the road rather than installing a large drainage system, curbs, and gutters. The drainage ditches also serve to maintain the rural appeal of the area.
Charleston Moves plans to continue pushing for more improvements to the Harborview Road plan to ensure that it becomes a truly "complete street."
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APBP Young Professional of the Year
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We are thrilled to announce that South Carolina resident, PCC member, and City of Greenville staff, Brian Graham has been awarded the 2011 Young Professional of the Year by the National Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.
Brian Graham has been a key player in implementing Greenville's Trails and Greenways Master Plan started in 2008, including, that will connect hundreds of new homes and apartments to a regional, 14-mile greenway. Brian, as a member of the planning committee, also helped to drive the development of a Bicycle Master Plan for the city and continues to has actively pursue pursuing additional property for more hiking and mountain biking trails inside the city. Brian possesses the technical knowledge, experience, and most importantly the drive to make a difference in his community.
We are lucky to have Brian driving positive change, best practices, and inspiration in the Greenville community and throughout South Carolina. Congrats to our colleague and friend!
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November Gear Review: Elite Ozone Warming Oil
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Each month, our friends at Hawley share a review on the latest gear that is passing through their hands and on its way to your local bike shop. Below you will find a portion of the gear review for November; to find out the rest, visit our blog. As always, thanks to Ken Klatte, Production Artist with Hawley, for this sneak-preview.
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With the temperature falling faster as the days grow shorter, my enthusiasm for cold weather riding is also waning. In addition to the discomfort from an icy wind on exposed skin, the muscles themselves grow rigid and atrophied. Lacking both the willpower and biological composition to bury myself underground for winter and emerge several months later during the warmer months, my only recourse is to use topical solutions.
Taking a cue from what Europeans (and especially Italians) have been doing for years, I decided to try out the Elite Ozone Warming Oil.
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Read the rest on our blog! |
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Membership & Fundraising update
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This past month, you may have received phone calls and emails from our Board of Directors asking you to renew your membership with the PCC. This was part of a concentrated October effort by the Board to increase our memberships, and they even raised over $3000 to match the membership renewals we've received during the month. Membership renewals have been pouring in--as of last count, there have been 23 renewals and 16 brand new memberships!
Just because October is over does not mean the PCC can't keep growing. If you just realized that your membership is not up-to-date, you can renew or join by completing this form and mailing it to our office; you can also donate online through our secure page at Razoo (please note that we do not receive any donor/contact information for any Razoo donations that are indicated as 'anonymous').
To check on the status of your membership, email Cait. The more members we have involved in making South Carolina more bicycle friendly, the stronger the Coalition can become to effect more change in our state. Thanks for your support and dedication of safe bicycling in SC!
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Jersey/shorts due Friday; SALE on old jersey!
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 Place your order for Palmetto Cycling jerseys and shorts in time for the holidays. All orders are due this FRIDAY.
Place your order by downloading this form and mailing it to us. View the mock-up designs to get a better idea of what the styles will look like. Hincapie Sportswear products tend to fit smaller, so be sure to carefully consult the sizing chart on the order form for fit details. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
If you are looking for a deal or prefer the design of  our former jersey, then you might be interested to learn that we are selling the old jerseys that we have left in stock for 50% off. Contact Cait to see if we have your size in stock.
Finally, with this cooler weather, you might be interested to invest in warmer socks. The Coalition's DeFeet wooleators are just the light-weight yet warm socks that you need. Contact us if you'd like to order a pair--they also make great stocking stuffers ($12/pair)!
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We need the support of cyclists like you to continue our efforts of making SC more bicycle friendly. The PCC is the voice for cyclists across South Carolina. Please support us with your donation today.
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