PCC News February 2023

Making South Carolina safer

for biking and walking since 1995.

February 2023 News

Another Legislative Session update!

S.157 and H.33 94, the Hands Free bills, remain in their committees, with no hearings scheduled yet. Hands Free will likely move through the House before the Senate this year. We are now up to 10 House sponsors (Taylor, West, Chapman, Pope, M.M. Smith, Davis, Thayer, Bernstein, Wheeler and Bauer). Please help us find additional House co-sponsors!

The Trails Tax Credit bill, H.3121, received 3 new co-sponsors the day of our Action Alert, February 8th! That's because of you!! Let's add more House co-sponsors! It is currently still in the House Ways & Means committee with no hearing scheduled yet. This bill gives property owners a state income tax credit if they agree to a trail easement.

Find and Contact your state Legislators here

S.281, the new Public Lands Enhancement Act, remains stalled. It dedicates the sporting goods sales tax revenue to the Public Lands Enhancement Fund, for capital improvement projects that give public access to public lands. The Carolina Squat bill, S.363, passed the Senate and has started through the House. This bill limits the degree cars & trucks can be modified beyond a basic level of safety. S.0036, the DUI Ignition Interlock bill, enables an Ignition Interlock Program for DUI offenders instead of losing their license. This bill has almost made its way through the Senate. A joint resolution passed to affirm a new Regulation for E-bikes, and after significant public comment, SCDNR is set to restrict e-bike usage on WMA's to Class 1 only (no throttle driven Class 2's allowed).

Look for our Hands Free campaign coming soon!

PCC will soon launch our campaign for Hands Free legislation! Watch for branded images and messaging, coming to billboards and social media! Tell your friends, and please share.

Advocacy Essentials: How to Write a Letter to the Editor

As we kick off our Livable Streets Academy, we'll point you to a Letter Writing webinar from our partner the League of American Bicyclists. Attend the March 3rd, 2pm, webinar taught by Sara Kiesler, Communications and Marketing Director at Cascade Bicycle Club. Kiesler is a former journalist who will invite you to participate in this interactive webinar. Learn how to be an effective communicator so you can speak out in your community and be a voice for your streets. Register here.

DYK? How to Recycle Your E-bike Battery!

People for Bikes is partnering with Call2Recycle to help e-bike battery recycling! Millions of lithium ion batteries used in e-bikes need to be disposed of properly at their end of life, and generally, that's after 2-5 years! These groups joined forces to simplify recycling 33 brands at more than 1,600 drop-off locations in the U.S. So far, the only location in South Carolina is Outspokin in Columbia, SC! We anticipate more bike shops will join the list soon. Keep this link for that list of shops. Check with Outspokin first about acceptable brands.

SAVE THE DATE

Ride like MADD Challenge

March 17-April 22

National Bike Summit

virtual and in person

Washington, DC

March 26-29

Ride the Lowcountry

April 15 & 16

17th annual Wheels for Meals Travelers Rest, SC

April 22

SC BikeWalkTrails Summit

June 8 -9

Got a ride or event to share?

Let us know.

Full calendar has more.

Also see route links.

Get your own Share the Road license plate any time. Click HERE for all the info.

When you receive your plate, or if you have one already, email your plate # and contact info to [email protected] to claim your FREE first year membership to PCC.

Join PCC or renew your membership!

Make safer biking and walking possible for EVERYONE.

Click above to contribute now!

Event Spotlight: Ride the Lowcountry

Formerly the Coastal Cyclists Spring Century, this year's Ride the Lowcountry on Saturday, April 15th will have a new spacious venue - the new Awendaw Municipal Park, 7900 Doar Rd in Awendaw, SC.

Choose from routes of 33, 43, 65 and 100 miles of beautiful Lowcountry marsh and woodlands, much of it in a national forest with flat, quiet roads for a relaxing, but challenging ride.

Enjoy a great lunch afterward to celebrate.

Proceeds from Ride the Lowcountry benefit organizations supporting cycling advocacy and access in South Carolina and the Lowcountry, including the Palmetto Cycling Coalition. For more info and to register, click the awesome jersey at left.

Also join the Coastal Cyclists on Sunday, April 16th, for a FREE bonus ride of your choice - a 30 mile gravel ride through the Francis Marion National Forest or a guided road ride through downtown Charleston, over the Ravenel Bridge, through the old village of Mount Pleasant and Patriots Point Park, and out to Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. This route will have several water and bathroom stops. Neither Sunday ride is supported by SAG vehicles.