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 warehouse on its way to your local bike shop. As always, thanks to Ken Klatte, Production Artist with Hawley, for this sneak-preview and words of wisdom. For more from Hawley on the latest and greatest in bike gear, check out their blog or YouTube channel. 

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?). Unlike most commuter lights, the beam pattern produces a wide swath of visibility for several meters with gentle gradation. Small side lights provide some amount of safety but visibility is only for a 10 to 15 feet.

Light & Motion Urban 300

Run time for the 300 on the "high" setting is 2 hours and 20 minutes. The medium and low settings run for double the previous setting duration. Although the recharge time isn't the fastest on the market (5 hours), if you can remember to plug it in when you arrive at work, it should be fully charged by the time you clock out to face the rigors of traffic.

With an MSRP of $129.00, the Urban 300 won’t be for the cyclist pinching pennies, but as an investment, you'll reap the rewards of safe nighttime riding and the peace of mind that comes with an optimally manufactured product made in the USA.

Statewide News Roundup

1/25/12. Editorial: Take those 'no bikes' signs down. (Post & Courier)

1/30/12. Cyclist killed after colliding with school bus. (Post & Courier)

1/30/12. Greenville to host international para-cycling championships. (Greenville News)

1/31/12. Update: St. Stephen bicyclist killed after colliding with bus. (Post & Courier) 

1/31/12. Holy City Bike Co-op is revisiting its roots with a free, outdoor workshop. (Charleston Digitel)

1/31/12. SC ranks poorly for cyclists, pedestrians. (The State)

1/31/12. Local sidewalk projects in limbo. (Post & Courier)

Sterling Spinners Make Big Impact in Community

The Sterling Spinners Youth Bicycle Club

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.

 The club also took time to bond off the bike, attending a Furman University football game by bike and taking trips (by car) to Clemson University and Youth-in-Government in Columbia. The original plan was for the program to end along with summer in 2010, but the adults and kids opted to continue riding and welcomed a second class of club members in March 2011. Current club members can scarcely contain their excitement when they come home from a ride, often telling their parents every detail of their adventures. The excitement extends outside the club, as well- younger children at the Sterling Recreation Center are clamoring for their chance to join the bike club.

They will get their chance as stakeholders in the Sterling Spinners look to expand the club in the Sterling Community and ideally replicate its success in other under-served communities. Adult bicyclists who want to be involved with the clubs can contact David Taylor for more information.

South Carolina Ranked 49th in Nation for Bicycle Safety

South Carolina ranks 49th among states for bicycling safety according to a report released today by the Alliance for Biking & Walking. “Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2012 Benchmarking 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. While 12 percent of trips in the U.S. are by bike or foot, 14 percent of traffic fatalities are bicyclists and pedestrians, and pedestrian and bicycle projects receive less than 2 percent of federal transportation dollars.

 “A much greater investment is needed in biking and walking to increase active transportation,” says Jeffrey Miller, Alliance President/CEO. “The Benchmarking Report shows that biking and walking are smart and cost-effective solutions that will pay for themselves many times over in healthcare savings and impact on local economies.”

South Carolina spends just 0.6% of its federal transportation dollars on biking and walking, ranking 46th among states for investing in biking and walking.

“South Carolina could be an ideal place to ride a bike, but the lack of understanding about the importance of bicycling and investing in infrastructure holds the state back from fulfilling its potential,” said Rachael Bronson, executive director of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition.

Currently, South Carolina biking and walking funding works out to just $0.95 per person, compared to the national average of $2.17. Without funding, infrastructure cannot be improved to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, keeping South Carolina the second most unsafe state in which to ride a bike.

While lack of investment in bicycling and walking has caused thousands of preventable deaths across the U.S., it doesn’t have to be.

Numerous successful projects across the state have been funded in part with federal dollars through threatened programs like Transportation Enhancements, including trails in Greenville, Charleston and Spartanburg. With continued investment, bicycling and walking can become easier, safer and a realistic transportation choice for South Carolina residents.

“Bicycling and Walking in the U.S.: 2012 Benchmarking Report” was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and made possible through additional support from AARP and Planet Bike. For more information and to download the report visit www.PeoplePoweredMovement.org/benchmarking.

Statewide News Roundup

1/18/12. Letters to the Editor: Sad Day for Cycling and Whose road is it? (Post & Courier)

1/20/12. Florence League of Women Voters will host SCDOT Commissioner to discuss state projects (SCNow)

1/20/12. Eddie Adams new chairman of transportation commission (Independent Mail)

1/23/12. Editorial: Finally get transportation reform right (Post & Courier)

1/24/12. Connector bike ban is bad news, says advocate (Charleston City Paper)

1/24/12. County to seek views on Powdersville transportation projects (Independent Mail)

1/24/12. Bridge bans posted (Post & Courier)

Post & Courier

1/25/12. Bicycling advocates ask state to lift bike ban on connector (Post & Courier)

1/26/12.  Group asks state to let bikes on James Island connector (Post & Courier)

USC Abandoned Bike Project kicks off in February

Give an abandoned bike a home!

Each fall, thousands of students flock to our state's college campuses, and each spring many will head off to whatever adventures or employment their summers may hold. Their two-wheeled companions are not always so lucky. The abandoned bikes are generally collected and held in storage by the university after attempts to contact the owners have failed.

The University of South Carolina is launching a new program to allow these abandoned bikes 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.

The cost is estimated based on the parts and repairs needed, but for the most part will fall into the following categories. The highest quality bike ideal for everyday, rain or shine commuters will be approximately $75, mid-range bikes for those interesting in riding regularly will be about $50, and base level cruisers for those who want to ride occasionally are estimated to be $35. Included with the bikes will be new LED lights for the front and back of your new bike- to comply with South Carolina law- bike registration with Parking Services, and an "Outdoor Recreation Abandoned Bike" decal.


To take advantage of this program, prospective bike owners must attend a 6-hour workshop that will educate you on bike repair and maintenance, basic riding skills, proper etiquette, and South Carolina's bike laws. Bike shop staff will assist you in making the necessary repairs on your new bike and will finish the clinic by leading participants on a campus bike tour, putting the newly-learned skills to use. A helmet and bike lock are required for participation in the program, and can be purchased from Outdoor Recreation for a reasonable price.

Of course, if you already have a bike and would prefer it not wind up in the program, make sure to register it with Parking Services and take it with you when you move away. This is a great program, and though it is unfortunate that it is restricted to USC students, faculty, and staff, we hope that other universities and possibly cities will adopt something similar.

Local Happenings Coming Up!

Two exciting local happenings are on the calendar for the week to come. First, this Thursday, Upstate Forever is hosting a screening of the great documentary series Moving Beyond the Automobile. Moving Beyond The Automobile is a 40-minute series of documentary film shorts that highlights real-world solutions to address America's dependence on the automobile. The film series explore strategies that integrate active living and effective multi-modal transportation. This event kicks off Upstate Forever's 2012 Active Living Event Series in Spartanburg County, designed to engage citizens and decision-makers to prioritize planning policies that support active lifestyles.

The event is free and is taking place at the Spartanburg Community College, Tyger River Campus. Thanks to Mary Black Foundation for making the event possible. Light refreshments will be served and a brief discussion will follow the film screening. RSVP by Jan. 24 to spartanburg@upstateforever.org.

Then, next Tuesday, the City of Rock Hill is hosting a public session relating to biking and walking in the downtown Winthrop University area. This will take place at the Glencairn Garden Learning Center. For more information, contact Danny Ritsema, Long Range Planner with the City.

Statewide News Roundup

1/12/12. Upstate transportation groups join effort to boost growth (Go Upstate) 

1/13/12. Letter to the Editor: Be responsible. (Post & Courier)

1/14/12. Letter to the Editor: Tax on bicycles. (Post & Courier)

1/15/12. Editorial: Catalyst for highway reform. (Post & Courier)

1/16/12. Midnight Mystery Riders celebrate Friday the 13th. (Charleston City Paper)

1/17/12. A Berkeley bikeway victory (Post & Courier)

Statewide News Roundup

1/5/12. Augusta's push to be more bike-friendly to get boost with October summit. (Augusta Chronicle)

1/6/12. Mayor Riley: Bike ban to be put in place on JI connector (Post & Courier)

1/7/12. With James Island connector off limits, cycling alternative criticized. (Post & Courier)

Crossing the Ashley River Bridge. Photo by Brad Nettles.

1/8/12. Spartanburg's B-cycle system exceeds expectations. (Go Upstate)

1/8/12. Greer to study transit options for US 29 with Smart Growth America grant. (Greenville News) 

1/10/12. The great biking expedition. (Aiken Standard) 

1/11/12. Haley threatens veto of helmet restrictions. (Go Upstate)

1/11/12. Editorial: Cyclists merit more attention. (Post & Courier)

Don't Ban Bikes on the Connector!

Last Friday, news broke that the City of Charleston would be enforcing, within the next few months, a ban made official by the SCDOT: to prohibit bicycles and pedestrians from using the James Island Connector. Advocates from around the state agree that this is a step in the wrong direction. This ban would greatly affect the very limited connectivity that currently exists, and would force bikes and pedestrians to use the dangerous alternative--the Ashley River Bridge.

We encourage all South Carolinians to contact elected officials to oppose this action. We agree with our friends at the Coastal Conservation League in offering some better alternatives:

1. Lower the Connector's speed limit to 40 mph  (adding less than one minute additional travel time for drivers)
2. Put rumble strips along the breakdown lane
3. Put signs up telling motorists to yield to cyclists, particularly at exits

Please use the League's action center to contact your elected official and ask that the Connector be retrofitted for the safety of all users--not prohibited.

Thanks!

Rock Hill Handlebar Assessment

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.

In the Task Force's report, there is a common pattern with many of the reviewed roadways. Many were wide, and had room to accommodate car and bike lanes. These roads also serve as a good network to connect the University campus, downtown, restaurant and retail areas. Several roads are due for repaving and restriping projects, offering an ideal time to get bike infrastructure added to the road design. On the negative side, not all of these roads are owned by the city, requiring better partnership and communication between SCDOT, Winthrop and the City of Rock Hill. High travel speeds and on-street parking pose problems for bike infrastructure. Special multi-modal consultants would be needed to analyze intersections on the roads as well.

These hurdles are certainly not insurmountable, however, and the Task Force is moving forward on their goals to make Rock Hill more bike friendly. This formal assessment and the opportunity it presented to get key decision makers on bikes to understand the problems faced is a wonderful format, and possibly the first such official assessment we have seen. This method could be very helpful to any other cities looking to develop plans for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure; we look forward to more and more cities in South Carolina taking steps toward more liveable, walkable and bike-able communities.

Statewide News Roundup

1/2/12. Young bike rider injured on Anderson County road (Anderson Independent)

Photo from Anderson Independent

1/2/12. SC roadway fatalities up for first time since 2007. (Go Upstate)


1/3/12. Cyclists propose major race in Pendleton. (Anderson Independent) 

1/3/12. NC State gas tax to increase in 2012 (SC remains 4th lowest gas tax in nation) (Shelby Star)

1/3/12. I-73 work illegal, group says. (The State)