Upstate News Update, Fall 2014

Welcome to November. I have been a bit busy lately, so please forgive the slack in posting. However, there has been and continue to be some great things happening in the Upstate as 2014 continues on. Let's get right to what's the latest in the Upstate.

SC Rolling Bike Summit. The PCC will bring folks in communities together throughout the state during the state's first bike summit. Two years ago PCC joined with Georgia Bikes to put on the Georgia-lina Bike Summit. Next week, November 17 - 21, the Summit will spend two nights in the Upstate. On Monday November 17, the Summit kickoff's in Greenville, and Tuesday November 18 the conference rolls into Spartanburg. It's open to everyone, and hope to see you out there!

The City of Spartanburg has been busy! In early October, Partners for Active Living met with the City Council to discuss the next steps in expanding trail development in the area. Of the $750,000 set aside for bicycle and pedestrian paths, $650,000 has yet to be allocated to future projects. The City has also continued working on plans for the Northside. The Northside Initiative Master Plan is a powerful project that calls for the transformation of the community. Some of the plans include taking "Nasty Branch" creek and turning it into Butterfly creek with an adjacent greenway, the reinvention of Pearl Street with bike lane installations, the better connections between the Northside, Wofford College and Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

The City of Anderson unveiled it's master plan this past September for more bicycle and pedestrian paths. The proposed trails would connect key places in the city like Anderson University, the AnMed Health Medical Center, the AnMed Health North Campus, the  Recreation Center, the Westside Community Center and several of the city parks. This plan would be the next level of improvements and connections beyond a few existing greenways in the city. Check out these renderings and images for some great visuals for the future improvements.

Greenville County Penny Sales Tax Vote. Disappointingly, it did not pass when folks went to the polls on November 4. The referendum would have helped improve county roads, sidewalks and bike lanes across Greenville County. Getting national support from People for Bikes and The Alliance for Biking and Walking, there was a great moment for the Upstate of South Carolina to shine. However, there were a few holes, including a major one that did not exclude groceries from the sales tax, that the voters could not overlook.

I've also spent the last 6 months getting familiar with twitter. For the latest events, news stories or to join in the conversation, you can follow me at BikingintheUpstateSC. I look forward to carrying the conversation further with you! Feel free to say hello!

If there's anything else that has gone on in the Upstate that I missed or any future events, please feel free to post in the comments below.

At the Intersection of Happy & Healthy

I recently attended some training on the latest improvements in bicycle facility design with examples of various kinds of improvements and treatments from across the country. Walk Bike Columbia, an initiative that supports the state capital city bike and pedestrian plan, hosted a workshop. National experts came in to share their experiences and wisdom with a group of local, regional and state planners, engineers, landscape architects and other professionals.

One of the most interesting designs that was shared was the idea of the protected intersection.

Design for a protected intersection that's better for bicylists & pedestrians.

 Not yet found anywhere in the country, the inspiration for the facility came from similar installments from across the pond. Here is a video for a similarly designed intersection in The Netherlands. This idea blows my mind...and has me really excited to ride on one some day in the (hopefully not too distant) future. Can you imagine riding with your family on a bikeway like this? I can. *SMILE*

Let's break down the benefits of how the design works. There are improvements for bicyclists crossing the intersections. Pedestrians also keep their designated, separated place. Though the right turn for cars is not as convenient as it is in some states, like South Carolina, there is still room to react to potential conflicts. (That means that there should still be enough space and time for a car not to hit a bike or pedestrian.) It's a win for all, and huge improvement for the folks on two legs and two wheels.

Since this hasn't been installed anywhere in the country, it would be really cool if a city in South Carolina (*ahem, Greenville, cough*) stepped up to the plate. Share an intersection where you think this might work in your community in the comments below!

And don't forget to vote on Tuesday, November 4, especially if you live in Greenville County. There's an important opportunity to fund bikeway improvements around the county. Get out and make your opinion heard.

The 2014 SC Bike Summit Rolls Across the State in November

Last month, the Palmetto Cycling Coalition announced the 2014 Rolling Bicycle Summit, as I shared in a previous post. From Monday, November 17 through Saturday, November 22, the PCC is bringing the statewide conference to a community close to you. There are two opportunities to get together in the Upstate. On Monday, the Summit hits Greenville from 6:30 - 9:30p, and then rolls into Spartanburg during the same time period on Tuesday. Details for each of the locations can be found here.

The summit will be a bit lighter, as its the first bike summit in South Carolina history, but a lot will be packed into the 3 hours. A few speakers will share what's going on in their community and newly trained Safe Streets Ambassadors will be introduced. If you are interested in becoming a Safe Streets Ambassador or learning more about the program, please checkout this website or contact Amy. There will also be time for networking and socializing. Attendance is free and open to the public.

I've been invited to speak at the Spartanburg Rolling Bike Summit. It'll be good to share what's been going on at Clemson University (more bikeways implemented, improvements in bike parking, several bike repair stations installed, etc.), as it'll be a brief update from the presentation I gave at the 2012 Georgia-lina Bike Summit. The early successes in building momentum are applicable to other communities, and not just those involved with higher education. It will also be great to hear what's going on in a different part of the Upstate.

Folks at the PCC are also encouraging folks to consider attending the summit at a location in a nearby, but different part of the state. This creates opportunities for some cross pollenization of ideas and the ability to meet some new people. I really look forward to meeting some new people and to learn from their challenges and successes. Being able to listen to and have conversations with others in bicycle-related professionals is a valuable way to build better bicycling communities.

Consider attending, and if you do, say hi if you're in Spartanburg. Remember it's free, open to the public and is for anyone with any level of experience or interest related to biking. Taking time to attend the summit is critical to the bicycle-friendly future of South Carolina. I look forward to seeing you in November!

Vote Yes on November 4 to Support Biking & Walking in Greenville County

If you feel like the roads in your local community have been deteriorating over the last several years, you’re not alone. Roads, bridges, sidewalks and trails across the state are in desperate need of repair and improvement.  On November 4^th, folks in Greenville County will have an opportunity to vote for improving the conditions of these kind of facilities.

A referendum to increase the Greenville County sales tax by a penny for about 8 years will be up for a vote on November 4. Local voters have an amazing opportunity to directly support the addition of 69 miles of sidewalks and trails. Through this proposal, bike lane total mileage would increase from 18.5 miles to 23 miles. The referendum would also support bringing the Swamp Rabbit Trail out to Simpsonville and Clemson University’s ICAR campus. The total investment in bicycle and pedestrian facilities would be $48M. The referendum in full text can be found here.

Momentum has been building across the county since this spring. The Greenville County Council voted in favor of the idea back in May, allowing the citizens of Greenville County to voice their opinion on the matter. Local media has come out in support of the measure. The need for such a measure comes from the lack of a long-term, dedicated, stable funding source from the state government. South Carolina roads are in terrible condition.  Mind-blowing statistics reveal how much we are hurting. And highlighting this need is has been the story for several years. 

Bike Walk Greenville has led a campaign to raise awareness about the way the referendum will positively affect bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Through their twitter account, the organization has shared the fifty four future Safe Routes to School projects that are included in the county’s sales tax referendum. Safe Route to School is a national program that creates better, safer ways that children can walk or bike to school. The program has helped improve facilities in Greenville County and in other places across the state.  Each tweet contains a short list of important information and a picture about proposed improvement to the school route. If you're interested in learning more about their efforts or want to help spread the word, consider attending their next meeting on Wednesday, October 8.

Support the increase in sales tax by a penny in the November 4 election if you are in Greenville County. Better yet, get out and vote to mark that support.

Building Relationships through Constructive Dialogues

Not too long ago I was nearly hit by a car on my morning commute to work. The most upsetting thing wasn't the near-accident, but rather a local law enforcement officer's inaction. By sharing my incident, I hope others can encourage their local law enforcement to become informed and be part of the active development of a better bike culture in the Upstate.

I was riding in what I call super nerd gear - yellow reflective safety vest, orange t-shirt, front and back lights flashing - making sure that I was doing my best to be visible. As I approached the intersection, I noticed a car approaching from the perpendicular side street. Watching the driver with a mindful eye, aware that he might either obey or disregard the stop sign, I continued to ride forward. I had the right of way, and the driver had a stop sign. As he initially stopped, I proceeded to make my way into the intersection. Then he started forward again...then stopped and then hit the gas to plow through the intersection, nearly hitting me, and took off.

Moments after the near-accident, I decided to let it go. I was shaken and upset, but I realized that chasing after the car would have accomplished nothing positive. However, I noticed a local police car parked nearby. Curious, I biked on over. Greeting the officer in the car, I asked if he had seen what had transpired. To my surprise, he replied that, though hadn't seen the car nearly hit me, he had heard me yell and saw the car driving away.

I paused in disbelief. Once I gathered my composure, I decided to take the opportunity to encourage him to consider taking action if he were to come upon a similar incident in the future. He didn't have much to say in reply, so I politely repeated my point and continued on my way.

It's important to remember that police officers have a tough job, and they take on a lot of stress in dealing with the public. However, part of their role in enforcing public safety also includes looking out for the safety of people on bikes. Acknowledging that it will take some time for police departments to to learn local and state bike laws, officers should determine how they contribute to a culture of bike safety and inclusion in their community.

There is a lot of education and culture change that is occurring in communities across the country. The infrastructure is beginning to appear, but we're in the midst of a messy, fun, necessary and slow learning process where we figure out how cars and bikes should co-exist. Leaders, decision makers and community members should foster opportunities where folks can be exposed to these kinds of new ideas in a non-threatening, fun way through public safety campaigns, events and other programs.

My hope is that the police officer I spoke that morning brought this challenging situation back to his department. Questioning the status quo and encouraging open, positive dialogue where people can learn is an important part of change. Public law enforcement officers are critical allies in creating better places to bike, and helping them find their role in addressing public safety will make better communities for all of us.

On Road Again

This post has more questions than answers, as I have been wrestling with some of these issues for a while. Take some time to read them and think them over. I'm interested to hear what your thoughts are…

Bike Lanes. Multi-Use Paths. Cycletracks. I’ve thought a lot about these different kind of facilities over the last few weeks, and recent discussions with some folks in the profession have pushed me to consider the implications of each. Both have their place, but I’m interested in what you have to say, riding reader. Why do you prefer one over the other? Is your preference for one kind of facility influenced by what kind of riding you’re doing:  Shared path for running errands or recreation riding? On-road bike lane when you’re out for a group ride or training for a race? Do you mind riding next to traffic or do you prefer some space? Where would you let your 8 year son or daughter ride? What would you think about your 80 year old mother, father or friend riding on this kind of facility?

On-road bike lanes are less expensive and improve the existing conditions for willing. However, the speed, volume and proximity of the vehicular traffic can really influence a rider’s feeling of safety or comfortability. How would you feel riding right next to traffic on Greenville’s Wooddruff Road? What are your thoughts about the bike lanes in the photo below?

Bike lanes in a sea of pavement. Would separated lanes have been better?
But how to accommodate the driveways?

Separated facilities, whether they are paths or bike lanes, have been shown to improve safety and are places where more folks feel comfortable riding. They are more expensive, typically take more time to install and can require a significant reworking of the existing landscape. However, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, the most recent and well known example of this kind of facility, has been one of the most significant improvements in the region.

 

Swamp Rabbit Trail Users of all ages and abilities.
(Photo Credit:  Upstate Forever)

Part of a community’s responsibility is to develop facilities that folks will use. Over the last several years, as I have seen significant bicycle facility improvements in communities across the upstate, I wonder if we are doing the right thing. Are on-road bike lanes enough and will they provide the best facility for all riders? Or are we just doing the easy, convenient thing to say that we are bicycle-friendly? What more would it cost to build something that would address the folks who are “interested, but concerned” on two wheels? I then turn to consider the needs of the racing, spandex-clad crowd. What kind of facilities are preferred by a majority of this population? Is there a difference between men and women, experienced and novices?

There are some questions I've been mulling over. I wanted to get them out there, and I'm really interested in what you have to say. No matter how long you've been riding or what kind of rider you are, I'd really like to hear your thoughts on your preferences.

Power, Ordinary People and Bikes (A TED Talk)

Okay, that's not really the TED Talk title...but it could be.  There's an important lesson I'd like to draw your attention to as it relates to creating a better biking culture in your home town.

I recently watched a talk that I thought was particularly compelling as it relates to advocating for community improvements, including better biking infrastructure: bike lanes, paths, more parking, etc. "Why ordinary people need to understand power" is a talk by Eric Lui that I think you should watch. It's worth your time, especially if you're looking for inspiration or not sure how or where to get started in creating effective change in your community.