|
|
|
|
|
January 2012
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.
|
Wondering what is going on this weekend in the SC bike community? Check out our calendar for events and more.
|
|
|
|
|
Finally, some positive news on the Federal level: the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed a federal transportation authorization bill that includes a Complete Streets amendment. The measure is for safe accommodation of all users in federally-funded street projects; unfortunately, our Senator DeMint did not vote in favor of the amendment.
The amendment was motivated by a concern for safety and modifies the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, which is one of the Commerce Committee's contributions to the overall reauthorization package. This is a big victory for Complete Streets nationwide, but opportunities remain to strengthen the amendment for the final bill. Please stay tuned for ways in which we will need your continued support on Federal policy issues.
 Without a doubt, the biggest news on the national level is the National Bike Summit from March 20-22. Hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, the annual summit brings advocates from all over the country to the Capitol to network, strategize and meet with lawmakers.With the recent and frequent attempts to cut bicycling and pedestrian funding from the federal transportation bill, this year's Summit is an especially important opportunity to demonstrate to our nation's lawmakers that bicycling and walking are crucial to the future of our state and country and issues of accessibility and safety must not be overlooked.
The Coalition is hoping to have a large delegation representing the state in Washington to meet with our representatives and senators to offer a new perspective on these issues. Read more about the National Bike Summit in our recap of last year's efforts. And please join us this year! |
|
South Carolina Communities for Cycling
|
The PCC, along with the leadership of the City of Charleston, is developing a peer-to-peer forum of SC city and town leaders to focus on bicycle policy issues. Through collaboration, stakeholders from SC cities and towns will identify common issues and collectively develop and implement South Carolina bicycle transportation design specifications.
In fostering a cooperative approach to bicycle issues, and by working together, stakeholders can share information and best practices, saving time and money. If you represent a city or town in South Carolina that is interested in joining this forum, or would like your community to be represented, contact Rachael.
South Carolina is the first state in the nation to develop such a forum to represent the collective interests of communities working towards bicycle advancements. We look forward to the ways in which this forum will advance bicycling locally and statewide in SC.
|
|
|
|
South Carolina Bike Month
|
January is a wonderful time to begin planning for May, which is Bicycle Month in SC. Check out the League's bike month planning guide for tips on event in your community, and visit our May 2011 newsletter to see what events occurred in your community last bike month that you may be able to help plan for in 2012. As always, feel free to contact us for more ideas, best practice recommendations, partnership opportunities and more.
For Bike Month, the Coalition is teaming up with our friends across the Nation to take part in a fun and friendly bike month challenge--in which we will be asking you to log your miles spent on bike. Stay tuned for more on this exciting effort.
|
|
Complete Streets Session with Barbara McCann
|
I n early December, we worked with Eat Smart Move More and AARP-SC to invite Barbara McCann, Executive Director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, to South Carolina. Barbara moderated a session of stakeholders from across the state to discuss SC complete streets policy.
The session was very valuable; Barbara shared insight regarding other states' success in complete streets--we learned of models that SC can follow. We discussed current bicycle and pedestrian policies in place at the Department of Transportation, as well as collective strengths and resources that partners bring to the table.
As we look towards the year ahead, we will continue local complete streets policy adoption and implementation, as well as setting our sights on statewide objectives that will allow us to reach long-term goals. This is yet another exciting campaign, and stay tuned for progress and updates.
|
|
Beaufort and Boundary Street
|
Beaufort's Boundary Street Redevelopment project has big plans to make the city a better place to live, and it has recently received an extra boost in the shape of a $12.6 million federal grant and penny sales tax leveraged as a result of the grant. The funds come as a part of the highly competitive TIGER Grant program and would not have been possible without the diligent and hard-working Beaufort Redevelopment Commission and the support of Senator Lindsey Graham and his staff.
The redevelopment plan will realign several roadways, reshape strip malls, create a more scenic entry into the city and- our favorite- link with the rail-trail and provide commercial nodes that can be safely reached by foot and bike. The total cost of the project is estimated at $300,393,700, and the federal grant will fund nearly half that, with an additional $13.7 million from the penny sales tax. The project offers a wonderful opportunity to reshape Beaufort by creating new economic opportunities and a new standard of livability in the Lowcountry. |
|
Jesse Gamble and the Jan. 2 Rose Parade
|
 You may remember Jesse Gamble, a young man from Columbia that was killed in 2008 by a drunk driver while riding his bicycle home from work one night. In 2009, we worked with Representative James Smith to have the Blossom Street bike lane named in Jesse's honor. When Jesse passed, he was able to provide organs to seven others, and for that gift he will be honored on the January 2, 2012 Donate Life Rose Parade Float.
Donate Life's parade presence has been a tradition since 2004 and brings awareness of organ donors' kindness and generosity to over 40 million spectators and television viewers. Jesse is the first Columbia resident and fourth donor from South Carolina receive this honor.
This year's float, "...One More Day," was designed to give the donors' families one more day in remembrance and show the value of the donors' gift of many more days to transplant recipients. It will feature "floragraphs" from across the country to be honored on this year's float and 28 float riders- transplant recipients and donor families- representing the millions touched by organ donation. Jesse's mother, Lynn Finley, will be on the float.
Broadcast coverage of the Rose Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 2. The Donate Life Rose Parade Float is entry #41. If you are interested in watching, the parade will be shown on NBC, ABC, HGTV, Hallmark and Univision.
|
There was some big news out of Charleston this month- SCDOT has approved a bike/pedestrian path over the Ashley River! A lane of traffic on the T. Allen Legare Bridge will be converted for bicycle and pedestrian use, providing a safe and convenient route between West Ashley and downtown Charleston. The decision comes following a traffic study that confirmed the path would not impede the flow of traffic over the bridge.
Because the state owns the bridge, the future of this project depended solely on DOT's approval. Charleston Moves Executive Director Tom Bradford predicts that the new path will become even more popular than the wildly successful lane on the Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge over the Cooper River. The Ashley River path will connect a growing population center with MUSC, College of Charleston and Roper Hospital.
Now that the project has been approved by the state, the hunt for funding begins. There are no estimated costs for the path, but it is likely that the money will be a combination of state, federal, county and city funds. While the project is still far from completion, it promises a bright future for bicycling and walking in Charleston. |
|
Spartanburg B-Cycle by the Numbers
|
|
As of July of 2011, Spartanburg became the first community in South Carolina to implement a formal bike share program. Called Spartanburg B-cycle, the program has been hugely successful. The program's lead, Partners for Active Living, crunched B-cycle's numbers as of 12/20/11, which are listed below. We hope you'll be as impressed as we are!
- Trips: 1,224
 - Total Members: 437
- Calories Burned: 351,360
- Equivalent to 1757 glazed donuts, 837 chicken biscuits, or 209 large chocolate milkshakes
- Total Miles Ridden: 8,784 Spartanburg to New Zealand
|
|
January Gear Review: Jet Black Trainer
|
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 January; to find out the rest, visit our blog. As always, thanks to Ken Klatte, Production Artist with Hawley, for this sneak-preview.
---
This November and December, in an attempt to fight the scourge of holiday weight gain and keep my extremities frostbite-free, I decided to try out the Jet Black S-1 magnetic trainer. First impressions of the S-1 were positive. The Australian-made trainer comes pre-assembled. Other than attaching the magnetic resistance unit, you're ready to take it for a spin in literally seconds. Made from a mix of alloys, the trainer is surprisingly lightweight so if you want to load it in your car to take to a spin class or cyclocross race, it won't require any awkward straining.
The S-1 being the base model trainer means there are few if any bells and whistles. The blue collar-styled fixed resistance roller uses a simple screw with a nice giant knob for turning. Once you fix the resistance to your desired level (I prefer "rolling downhill with a hurricane level tailwind"), hop on and start your ride. Unlike most base model and entry level trainers, the S-1 is surprisingly quiet which makes it great for using in front of the TV or listening to your favorite music or NPR podcast.
---
Read the rest on our blog! |
|
|
|
|
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.
| | Thank you for your support! |
|
|
