|
|
|
|
|
February 2012
We are a member supported non-profit working to improve bicycling access, safety and education in South Carolina. |
Support the PCC and bicycling in SC. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
"This is as urgent as it gets!"
|
 Yesterday, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee released the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that eliminates crucial funds for biking and walking and essentially eliminates these modes from US transportation programs. This is a devastating blow to bicycling and essentially reverses 20 years of progress.
Initially, we were only asking constituents of Rep Tim Scott's first district to contact his office, as Scott is South Carolina's sole member of this Committee. However, now that we realize the extent of the damage that this bill poses, we are asking ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS to take action and contact your Representative to ask that they preserve biking and walking in the Transportation Committee.
Take action now and contact your member of Congress! House leadership needs to know their constituents are behind them. Thank you!! |
On a biennial basis, the Alliance for Biking and Walking releases the U.S. Bicycling and Walking Benchmarking Report. This project is an on-going effort spearheaded by the Alliance to collect and analyze data on bicycling and walking in all 50 states and the 51 most-populated U.S. cities.
In the 2012 Report, released on January 23, South Carolina ranks 49th among states for bicycling safety. The Report shows that while 2.1% of work trips in South Carolina are by bicycle or foot, bicyclists and pedestrians account for 11.9% of traffic fatalities in the state.
Lack of investment in bicycling and walking could be to blame. When compared to the national average, South Carolina spends very little on bicycling and walking investments. Just 0.6% of federal transportation dollars, or $0.95 per capita, are spent on biking and walking projects. This puts South Carolina at 46th among states for investing in biking and walking.
The Report is a glaring reminder of the importance of federal programs that invest in biking and walking. Even though South Carolina's investment of federal transportation dollars remains low when compared to other states, without these programs, it is certain that virtually no funds would be invested from other sources. Local and state investment relies on a Federal match in funds, and without these Federal funds, very few communities would be willing to foot the entire bill for biking and walking programs.
Read more about South Carolina's ranking in the report on our website and blog. And please--contact your member of Congress! 
|
|
|
As we move further into 2012, several projects of the PCC are making important progress. We are working to finalize the details of a grant to support the second phase of our Safe Streets Save Lives campaign, in which we are strategically working to integrate topics of bicycling and the law into the public arena. Through public relations, public outreach and education, we will be able to tell a more colorful, layered story about South Carolina's progressive bike laws, its bicyclists, and how we can all share the road.
We are also developing our Communities for Cycling effort, in which we are working with dozens of cities and towns throughout South Carolina to identify common issues and collectively develop and implement South Carolina bicycle transportation innovation. 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. The next meeting of this forum will occur in early March.
 With our Complete Streets Campaign, we are continuing to develop a statewide coalition among diverse public and private partners in South Carolina, including planners, public officials, engineers, public health professionals, community members, and many others. As a coalition, these individuals will facilitate policy change relating to complete streets. This coalition met last December to discuss the needs and strategies of Complete Streets on a statewide level, and will meet again in March to continue this discussion.
|
|
USC Abandoned Bike Project
|
 The University of South Carolina is launching a new program to allow bikes that are abandoned on campus to see the road once again. Through Campus Recreation, students, faculty and staff will be able to fix up and ride off with one of these bikes. The new program offers affordable categories for all levels of interest.
To take advantage of this program, prospective bike owners must attend a 6-hour workshop. A helmet and bike lock are required for participation in the program, and can be purchased from Outdoor Recreation for a reasonable price. Read more on our blog.
|
 | |
Sterling Spinners at Furman's Swan Lake
|
Many of us have our own stories of how we began riding a bike and the positive influence and results it has brought to our lives. A group of teens in Greenville can now join the fold with their own bicycle origins thanks to a wildly successful club started by LiveWell Greenville, St Francis Hospital, and Sterling Recreation Center.
An initiative of Building Dreams, the Sterling Spinners began in 2010 as a bicycling club for middle school students from the Sterling community. Ten students were recruited as the club's initial members and talked about eating well and living a healthy lifestyle, but of course they spent a lot of time in the saddle. Frequent rides on the Swamp Rabbit Trail or favorite local parks gave the kids independence and confidence in their abilities- something that carried over into the classroom.
Read more.
|
What a difference a month makes! Last month we reported some fabulous news on bicycle accommodations on a bridge in Charleston (Ashley River Bridge), and this month we share disappointing and short-sighted news on another bridge in Charleston (James Island Connector).
In early January, news broke that the Department of Transportation was going to install signs banning the use bicycles on the Connector. This rumor became reality on January 24 when the signs were installed.
Local advocates are working very hard to have this ban overturned. In a letter written to the Secretary of Transportation, Charleston Moves asked the state DOT to rethink its ban on bikes on the James Island connector. Stay tuned to Charleston Moves for more developments on this incredibly important issue that not only impacts access in Charleston, but bicycle related policy statewide.
|
|
Rock Hill Handlebar Assessment Tour
|
Rock Hill is an up-and-coming bicycle friendly community in our state for a number of reasons, not least of which is the recent Handlebar Assessment conducted by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force.
The Task Force, made up of city planners, engineers, public health officials, city residents and decision makers, conducted the assessment by getting an on-the-bike perspective on the problems and difficulties faced by alternative transportation users in Rock Hill. As current conditions are unsafe and unfavorable to bicyclists, the Task Force analyzed the opportunities and constraints to adding bicycle infrastructure downtown, around Winthrop University and along various connector routes. This assessment comes after a 2010 study by the Task Force that showed 80% of respondents would ride more often if conditions were safer.
Read more about Rock Hill's on-bike assessment tour on our blog.
|
|
Harbor View Road Public Meeting, Charleston
|
Last November, we reported on progress on the Harbor View Road Improvement Project in Charleston. On Thursday, February 16, Charleston County Government invites residents to a public information meeting about the latest in improvements. The meeting will be held on the 16th from 6-8 p.m. at Stiles Point Elementary School.
The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and safety on Harbor View Road and to provide adequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The project proposes to improve 2.1 miles along Harbor View Road between North Shore Drive and Fort Johnson Road by providing a center two-way left-turn lane, adding right turn lanes at major intersections, and adding pedestrian and bicycle facilities for the length of the project. Those who cannot attend the public meeting can view information and submit comments on the project's webpage. The open public comment period begins at the meeting and extends through March 2, 2012.
|
|
February Gear Review: Light & Motion Urban 300
|
|
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 February; to find out the rest, visit our blog. As always, thanks to Ken Klatte, Production Artist with Hawley, for this sneak-preview.
---
We review a lot of lights because there are so many on the market nowadays that finding the "right" light can be daunting if not downright discouraging. Coupled with the importance of a light in general for riding safety, a considerable amount of time should be appropriated to separating the wheat from the chaff, the barely illuminating from the airport searchlight strength lights.
Every year, light technology advances by leaps and bounds. Batteries have become smaller with many lights eschewing a separate battery and using a completely integrated set-up. Add to that the convenience of rechargeable batteries and bicycle commuters have some great options for riding at night.
One of these options for the truly discerning rider is the Light & Motion Urban 300. The 300 is a mixture of superior performance and convenience at a reasonable price. Adapting technology from their lightweight "race" lights, the Urban 300 uses a compact Li-Ion battery to pump out an astonishing 300 lumens of light (hence the name, clever huh?).
---
Read the rest on our blog! |
We are adding the finishing touches to our 2011 Community Report (organizational annual report). If you are a current member of the PCC, this will arrive in your your mailbox in mid to late February. Not sure whether your membership is current? Contact Cait and she'll gladly let you know.
We've also been working over the last few weeks to bring some much-need updates to the content of our website. We hope that you will find the updates easy to navigate and informative. Don't hesitate to let us know your thoughts or if you have any questions.
|
|
|
|
|
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 membership contribution today.
| | Thank you for your support! |
|
|
