Partnership for Prosperity: OPEN HOUSE

I attended the first Partnership for Prosperity focus group meeting last September with a select group of Charleston County individuals. To recap, the Partnership for Prosperity is an initiative led by the Berkeley Charleston Dorchester Council of Government intended to bring about more connectivity to the Charleston 'Neck' region which spans from well above Park Circle in North Charleston to below the 'Crosstown' in Downtown Charleston.

During the first meeting I was encouraged to identify and highlight areas of the Charleston 'Neck' that needed bike lane or pedestrian designation or could benefit from 'sharrows', bike way signs, or sidewalks. The meeting was a success and a collaborative initiative has evolved to transform the Charleston 'Neck'  into a comprehensive networks of roads, bike ways, businesses, and more. 

Tomorrow night, the Partnership for Prosperity will host an Open House at the Military Magnet Academy, from 5:30PM to 8:00PM during which time attendees can view the Draft Master Plan and offer their feedback and recommendations.

If you live or work in the Charleston 'Neck' region this meeting is a must! This area of Charleston has seen significant growth in the past several months and it's necessary for residents to voice their concerns and needs for this area. For more information on Partnership for Prosperity and their initiative check out this link. 

Legislative Update

It has been an eventful time in our state legislature lately, with two bills moving forward to improve safety on our roads and reform the Department of Transportation.

South Carolina is one of only eight states without any bans on drivers texting, though that may soon change. A new law to ban texting while driving is moving smoothly through the legislature currently without encountering any speed bumps. The bill was expected to face more opposition, but the only questions and concerns focused on enforcement. An amendment to the bill to ban texting or typing on the phone while stopped has also been included in the law.

Legislators compare the problem to drinking while driving, citing studies that show reading and typing texts can impair a driver even more than alcohol. Just like with drunk driving, stiff penalties are seen as the key to getting people to stop. Drivers caught texting could get a $100 fine, a $25 charge for the Trauma Care fund and two points on their license. Additionally, if injury results due to a driver texting, the fine would increase to $2,500 to $5,000 and mandatory prison time for 30 days to five years. If someone dies as the result of a distracted driver sending or receiving text messages it’s a felony charge and if convicted they could face a $5,000 to $10,000 fine and one to 10 years in prison.

 The bill is supported by the South Carolina Teachers Association, the State Transport Police and the SC Children's Trust. Police are already enforcing a federal ban on commercial drivers using electronics that aren't hands-free, and cities across the state have already banned drivers from texting through local ordinances, including Clemson, West Union, Columbia, Camden and Sumter.

The Department of Transportation may soon be facing an overhaul. The House Judiciary Committee has given a favorable report to the bill that would eliminate the SCDOT Commission in favor of transferring control to the Secretary of Transportation. Currently, the Secretary manages day-to-day operations, while the seven-member Commission sets policy and approves projects. The plan would create a new 17-member advisory panel that would make recommendations to the Secretary on local road and bridge needs, but would not set policy.

Under the House bill, the legislature would also be more involved in DOT's annual budget, requiring the Department to submit its annual funding plan each year and allowing approval of a much more detailed budget. This bill enjoys broad support, with 64 sponsors, though it does face opposition under the concern that it gives the governor too much power.

Statewide News Roundup

2/19/12. Our contagious vision: Transform the world through bikes. (Go Upstate)  

2/21/12. Bicycle advocates stop in CSRA to promote safe cycling. (WRDW) 

2/21/12. Bicycle Ride rolls through the CSRA. (WFXG)

2/22/12. Asheville-area bikers gear up for inaugural Pisgah 111K race. (Asheville Citizen Times)

2/23/12. Driver not charged in pedestrian death. (Post & Courier) 

2/23/12. Globalbike goes to Tanzania to give out 140 bicycles. (Go Upstate)

Gobalbike team in Tanzania; photo by Carroll Foster

Riding for Safe Bicycling Routes

On Monday night, I was the host of five fantastic women as they were passing through Columbia on their bikes. Columbia and South Carolina were lucky to be visited by this team as part of their adventure to ride their bicycles across America in benefit of bicycle and pedestrian safety and access. Set apart from a typical cross-country road trip by their two-wheeled vehicles and the mission that drives them, these women are riding to raise funds for the League of American Bicyclists and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

RASR van at my home in Columbia

It was an honor to be in the presence of these dedicated and passionate ladies as they are on their mission to spread bicycling cheer across the country. Rather than travel the well-work Southern Tier route, they are making a special visit to the deep south states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, where bicycle commuting rates are low, where bicycle fatalities are high, and where rates of obesity and physical inactivity are also some of the highest nationally. The RASR team felt that they could have the most impact in these southern states, which was why their travels brought them through town.

As evidenced by the 2012 Benchmarking Report, South Carolina has a-ways to go before improving in it's bicycle friendliness, so we can certainly benefit from a visit by dedicated advocates like the RASR team. While in Columbia, they made a visit to Leaphart Elementary to speak to the students about bicycle safety.

We wish the RASR team well on the next stages of their adventure, and are so appreciative of the cross-country message that they are spreading. Timing for this couldn't be better, as Congress is debating the transportation bill and advocates like us are scrambling to make sure that we maintain the tiny piece of the pie that is allocated to bicycle and pedestrian projects. Without this funding, a state like South Carolina would be in dire straits for funding of new bicycle projects. These funds are vital to ensure a safer and more bicycle friendly state. Please stay tuned as we will need your voice and support over the months to come!

Statewide News Roundup

2/13/12. Gita Sports past and present. (Velo News)

2/14/12. Transportation boosted to top of political agenda. (Post & Courier)

2/14/12. Spartanburg couple enjoys joint exercise on their tandem bicycle. (Go Upstate)

2/17/12. Conway Area Bike Ride to benefit new group home. (Sun News)

2/17/12. Salters Road project may include bridge replacement. (Greenville News)

2/21/12. New Belgium Brewing is seeking film submissions for 'Clips of Faith' tour. (Charleston Digitel)

Statewide News Roundup

2/7/12. A makeover for IOP connector? (ABC News 4)

2/7/12. EDITORIAL: Be kind on the roadways. (Aiken Standard)

2/9/12. Bicycle rider dies after being struck by car (Anderson Independent)

2/9/12. Bike paths growing across Lowcountry. (Post & Courier) 

2/10/12. Friend says bike rider was rebuilding his life before fatal accident. (Anderson Independent)

2/10/12. Cyclist killed in Anderson accident. (Greenville News)

2/11/12. Advocating for cyclists: Family tragedy drives lawyer to help victims, push safety. (Post & Courier)

Peter Wilborn (second from left) is joined by Paul Wood (from left), Jana Morris, Mike Bannister and Tom Bradford on a cycling trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway last year.

Join Us in Preserving Bicycle Funding

Both chambers of Congress are developing versions of the Federal transportation bill that are detrimental to bicycle funding. We've already asked you once this month, and we're already asking again: please contact Congress to save bicycle funding that is extremely valuable to South Carolina.

The current Senate transportation bill dilutes walking and biking programs. To improve the bill, we're asking Senators Graham and DeMint to vote for the Cardin-Cochran amendment on the floor to guarantee local governments a voice in transportation decisions, allowing them to build sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that keep people safe. Tell Senators Graham and DeMint:

• Local governments deserve a maintained voice in transportation
• Safety matters--particularly in SC where we we are ranked 49th for bicycle safety
• Active transportation is a wise investment that pays off in the long-term

In the House, we are asking representatives to oppose the House transportation bill entirely. Despite the fact that walking and bicycling infrastructure is a low-cost investment that creates more jobs per dollar than any other kind of highway spending, the House bill eliminates dedicated funding for walking and biking. Tell your Representative that the current transportation bill (HR 7):

• Takes us back to the 1950's
• Is not cost effective and does not invest wisely
• Eliminating the Safe Routes to School program makes streets unsafe for children

If you are wondering why this is happening yet again, the answer is fairly simple (although the details are complex): both Chambers of Congress are developing versions of a new Federal transportation bill to update the last bill, of which we are currently operating on the 8th extension. As they are working to develop these bills, both the House and Senate continue to make motions to eliminate funding for biking and walking. Last week, we needed your support as were working to get House Committee votes in favor of an amendment to protect bicycling and walking. Today's alert, and future ones that are sure to come, are to let Congress know that we will not stand for these short-sighted bills.

SC's Members of Congress needs to know that that finding effective, efficient transportation solutions to keep South Carolinians safe on the streets should be a national priority. These sources of Federal funding are vital to bicycling in South Carolina and without it, there is little likelihood that state or local funding would exist to support future bicycle paths and lanes.

This debate matters to South Carolinia, so please contact your Senators and Representatives today. And, the battle is far from over, so stay tuned to future alerts where we will need you yet again.

Thank you so much for your support and time.

Statewide News Roundup

2/2/12. SC DOT secretary: Commission micromanages. (WISTV) 

2/2/12. Man Killed Riding Bicycle To Store. (WYFF News)

2/3/12. Car hits, kills 73-year-old bicyclist. (Greenville News)

2/3/12. 2012 off to a deadly start on SC highways. (SC Now)

2/3/12. ARTS committee OKs plans to improve parts of Whiskey Road--fully funded with Federal Transportation Enhancement dollars. (Aiken Standard)

2/6/12. Man dies, wife injured in wreck on Banks Mill. (Aiken Standard)

Aiken Standard photo of Sunday crash.

2/6/12. Editorial: Connecting a key route for bicyclists. (Post & Courier) *late addition!

Ride America for Safe Routes comes to Columbia

A group of four women dedicated to raising awareness and funds for safe bicycling is setting out from Florida tomorrow to Ride America for Safe Routes through 13 southern states, 20 major cities, and over 5,000 miles. On Tuesday, February 21, they will make a pit stop Leaphart Elementary School in Columbia to teach students about the fun of biking and walking to school.

Beginning in Key West, Jeanie Ward, Stephanie Palmer, Jane Ward, and Chelsea Ward-Waller will travel by bike across the country, meeting with bike advocates and educating communities about the need for bike safety, all in an effort to raise $50,000 for the League's Bicycle Friendly America program and Safe Routes to School.

Safe Routes to School is a national program dedicated to providing children with encouragement and safe ways to walk and bike to school. In South Carolina, 45% of requests for Safe Routes funding have been awarded since 2005. While $0.95 per capita funding is spent on biking and walking statewide, obligated funds per public school student are above the national average at $10 per student. However, the new Transportation Bill currently in the House of Representatives reverses 20 years of progress for bicycling and walking in federal policy, eliminating Safe Routes coordinators in state DOTs and putting the entire program on the chopping block.

In an era of rampant childhood obesity, taking away a child's opportunity for exercise and independence by walking or biking to school safely is a disappointing leap backwards. South Carolina especially should be concerned about health consequences of this bill; 30% of our adult population is obese. We applaud these women for taking to the roads in support of this important program and look forward to welcoming them to Columbia.

A Silver Partner of SC Safe Routes Resource Center, Leaphard Elementary faculty and students will have an opportunity to meet and learn from them at the event on February 21 beginning at 7:50 a.m., during which students will receive bicycle and pedestrian safety lessons. For more information on Safe Routes to School in South Carolina or to find out if your child's school is a partner, please visit the Resource Center.