B2B RIDERS "DO IT RIGHT"

We're re-posting this letter to the editor of the Post and Courier, with thanks to that publication..

Courteous cyclists

Add another example to Charleston's claim on superlative courtesy -- 50 or so experienced bicyclists, fully decked out in futuristic gear on high-tech cycles, sitting at a stop sign waiting for an 8-year-old girl on a kid's bike to join them.

They were the Folly-to-Battery participants in the recent inaugural Battery2Beach ride and came to a halt while my helmet-clad daughter raced to her bike from the Stiles Point Elementary School playground. I had pulled over so my wife and daughter could ride with me behind the pack until it was out of sight. Instead, they embraced my daughter as one of their own, slowing down to let her ride up in the front until she and her mother turned back at the end of the Harbor View bike lane.

The Battery2Beach regional bicycle connectivity plan is a great idea by a great organization (www.charlestonmoves.org) that deserves the support of the Charleston community, which will be better off for it.

But I'm even more impressed with the courtesy of 50 thoughtful strangers who gave me an indelible memory of little 8-year-old legs pumping away on the pedals, keeping up with the grown-ups.

ROBY HILL

Clearview Drive

Charleston

News 2 Coverage Thursday, May 20..

Wheels in Motion

Read this Post and Courier article about bicycle-friendly designations from the League of American Bicyclists for Mount Pleasant. Visit the Post and Courier Web site to make comments here!

Mount Pleasant, other communities seeking bicycle-friendly designation from league

BY JESSICA JOHNSON

The Post and Courier

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Mount Pleasant Town Administrator Mac Burdette is sure the bike paths here are greener.

After reading that Greenville had received a bronze designation from the League of American Bicyclists ranking its bicycle friendliness since 2005, he thought Mount Pleasant could do the same or better.

The league tries to promote and advocate for the American cyclist. One of those ways is to rate towns based on bicycle-friendliness and offer expert guidance on what the town could do better.

Summerville, Goose Creek and Charleston recently applied for the designation, and North Charleston has discussed it informally.

Mount Pleasant is developing a plan as part of its application process.

Vonnie Gilreath, senior planner with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, said applying to become bicycle friendly is a yearlong process, adding that is the neat part about it.

"It gets everybody together to do an assessment ... to see what areas they need to work on," she said.

On Sullivan's Island, a committee of volunteers has formed to apply for the designation.

"Bicycles are as much a part of Sullivan's Island as is the beach. Therefore, it is appropriate to recognize the significance and benefits of bicycles on the island in terms of recreation, exercise and importance to the environment," said Andy Benke, Sullivan's Island town administrator.

"By achieving the bicycle-friendly community designation, Sullivan's Island sends a message that welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodations," Benke said.

The League of American Bicyclists rates communities based on five criteria, one of them being encouragement.

In May, Mount Pleasant launched a series of Friday picnic bike rides from Town Hall to areas around town to encourage riding.

Mayor Billy Swails said no future major route in town would be built without a bike path. The town is set to widen portions of U.S. Highway 17 throughout town, and a marked bike lane would be included.

Swails said most of the roads in Mount Pleasant are wide enough for vehicles and bicycles, but bike lanes simply haven't been painted.

Dan Kelley, a Mount Pleasant town planner who bicycles to work each day, said one such route is the Charleston Moves Battery to Beach route, a path being developed by Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Sullivan's Island.

It would begin at the Charleston Battery, cross the Ravenel Bridge and end at the beach on Sullivan's Island.

The town also plans to improve bicycle and pedestrian paths on the Ben Sawyer Causeway, a mutual plan with Sullivan's Island.

In North Charleston, Ryan Johnson, staff assistant to the North Charleston mayor, said the city is just getting started.

Johnson said the community would be eligible because its new City Hall includes bike racks and shower facilities so that employees could bathe after a sweaty ride. Sidewalks are required in all new neighborhoods.

Johnson said they are trying to encourage people to car pool, walk and bicycle to work when they can, but have not yet developed a plan required to apply for the designation from the League of American Bicyclists.

Gilreath said it's good to have the community designation because it shows an interest in taking cars off the road and promoting health.

Gilreath said it's her hope every community in the state would do the same.

"I'd like to see the whole state bicycle friendly, one small step at a time," she said.

Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.

Who Needs B2B?

Why do Charlestonians need Battery2Beach? Listen and watch as these avid bike riders discuss why B2B would change the way they bike and make it easier for others as well! Become a supporter!



Big thanks to Dockview Productions and Slant for their involvement in B2B!

The Folly Leg

Battery2Beach Charlestonian Profile: Lisa Shimko

Artist Lisa Shimko lives and works in downtown Charleston and, even with some of the bicycle drawbacks "would prefer riding my bike than doing any other form of transportation any day."

Name: Lisa Shimko
Occupation: Artist

Battery2Beach First Group Ride a Huge Success

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our first group ride on the Battery2Beach route!  We had more than 100 riders join us from the meeting points on Folly Beach and Isle of Palms and bike the 15 miles to the Battery.  The event was a lot of fun and we look forward to hosting more group rides in the future to promote the advantages of using alternate transportation.  Please stay tuned!

B2B Ride + Do-the-Charleston: Great Day!

The B2B Ride was a great success, with approximately 120 folks on bicycles taking part..
Then, the enormously successful Do-The-Charleston event on King Street..closed to traffic between Calhoun and Queen from noon to five pm.

Here are the routes for Sundays Rides!

Battery2Beach First Group Ride

Sunday, May 16, 2010

10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to join the ride at any point on the route.

• From Folly Beach       click here for route.
• From Isle of Palms    click here for route.

End: White Point Gardens (moving quickly to Vickery's, 15 Beaufain St.)

THEN, SLIDE RIGHT OVER TO LOWER KING STREET FOR THE DO-THE-CHARLESTON EVENT.  KING STREET IS CLOSED TO CARS FOR THE AFTERNOON!!

Charlie Magazine: Paving the Cyclist Way

Supporting Battery2Beach, Charlie Magazine writer Heather Mueller writes about the new route and cyclist in Charleston, SC:

PAVING THE (CYCLIST) WAY

Just picture it…a day when we can safely cycle to our cheap Southwest flight.

As of today, we’re half way there.

If you’re an avid bicyclist—or even occasional rider—you know we have a way to go on that first part.

Yes, there have been great advancements in recent years, most notably on the Cooper River Bridge, where traffic-free lanes are in constant use.

Still, in many parts of the area, bicycling is often synonymous with a continual fear of being barreled over by CARTA.

Progress doesn’t come easily, and bicycling is no exception.

But it is coming, and we’re glad to see a growing number of local influencers who are working to make Charleston a truly bicycle-friendly area.

They’re people like City Councilmember Mike Seekings who bikes so often his car has become an afterthought. He’s pushing to get a bike and pedestrian lane on the West Ashley Bridge (which will happen, he assures us). And to speed up improvements to our segment of The East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile stretch of trails that—when complete—will include 90 contiguous miles in Charleston County.

There’s also Tom Bradford, acting director of Charleston Moves. He’ll be leading a “Battery2Beach” ride this Sunday (everyone’s invited), when riders starting at Isle of Palms and Folly Beach will converge on the Battery.

The reason? To show that residents really, really want a full route that’s both safe and easy to navigate.

“I’m an experienced bicyclist, and even I’m afraid in some places,” Bradford said. “A lot of people would like to bike, but in many places we simply don’t have the option to do it.”

Of course, as we discussed in a story last July, a growing number of locals are indeed opting to commute on two wheels instead of four. And there are someroadways that are both safe and easy to navigate.

So, dear reaiders, we look to you. Where should one go to enjoy a great bike ride? And what do you think needs to happen to make Charleston truly safe for drivers and cyclists alike?

Story by: Heather Mueller

Battery2Beach Charlestonian Profile: Michael Maher

Michael Maher, director of Charleston Civic Design Center, has lived in many different places all over the world but finds Charleston, SC to be "arguably one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the country." Watch as Michael tells about why he uses his bike in Charleston and how the Battery2Beach project will help his ability to use this form of transportation.

Name: Michael Maher
Age: 46
Occupation: Director of Charleston Civic Design Center

Get Ready To Ride This Sunday, May 16

To mark National Bike Month, Charleston Moves is participating in two fun bike and pedestrian events this Sunday. Come join us.

First off is the inaugural B2B group ride event which will start at 10 a.m. on May 16, 2010 at two locations - Folly Beach (Riverfront Park) and Isle of Palms (parking lot at Palm Blvd. and IOP Connector). Both rides will converge at the Battery (White Point Gardens). Participants are encouraged to join the group ride at any point on the route (you can use the map links provided below).

A B2B after-party will take place at noon at Vickery's downtown. Additional information and group ride dates for the B2B campaign will be announced at this time.

The B2B group ride is being held in conjunction with the “Do the Charleston” event, a car-free day on King Street which will allow King Street merchants to promote sidewalk sales and dining from noon to 5 p.m. With the area free of car traffic, pedestrians and cyclists can easily and safely access downtown.

Battery2Beach First Group Ride

Sunday, May 16, 2010

10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Start: From Folly Beach click here for route.

From Isle of Palms click here for route.

End: White Point Gardens

Participants are encouraged to join the ride at any point on the route.

Battery2Beach Charlestonian Profile: Russ Seamon

Russ Seamon, project director at Urban Edge Studio, was born and raised in Charleston, SC. Listen as Russ describes why and how he rides his bike throughout the town of Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston.

Name: Russ Seamon

Age: 29

Occupation: Project Manager, Urban Edge Studio

Favorite Music: all indie bands

Favorite Things to do in Charleston: Cooking, hunting, anything outdoors.