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September 2011
We are a member supported non-profit working to improve bicycling access, safety and education in South Carolina. |
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Wondering what is going on this weekend in the SC bike community? Check out our calendar for events and more.
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Upcoming Complete Streets Workshops
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Despite some of the setbacks South Carolina has seen in bike safety in the past year, PCC along with Eat Smart Move More SC is moving forward with plans to create a statewide Complete Streets Campaign in South Carolina.
Along with AARP of South Carolina and ESMMSC, PCC is organizing a statewide Complete Streets workshop to be held on November 16th at the South Carolina Farmer's Market in West Columbia, SC. The workshop will be comprised of two sessions, AM and PM. The AM session will take place from 9AM - 12PM and focus on Complete Streets Introduction and Development. During the lunch hour, breakout sessions will be held so that attendees can discuss and problem solve. The PM session will take place from 1PM - 4PM, and emphasize Complete Streets Implementation.
This workshop is an invaluable tool for any community or individual interested in learning more about Complete Streets or perhaps implementing Complete Streets within their community. Please join us and learn more about how we can all work together to improve the health and safety of our communities. Registration for these sessions will be available soon. In the meantime, contact Phoebe if you have any questions.
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Rides for Charities this Fall
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Sept. 2-4 2011 Labor Day Omnium & Tour de la France , Anderson - This year's edition of this multiday cycling event includes events for pros, amateurs, casual bicyclists and families. Enjoy the long weekend and learn about Anderson County and the City of Anderson's dedication to Complete Streets efforts!
Sept. 3 Midnight Garden Ride, Savannah - Part of the Savannah Century and benefiting the Savannah Bicycle Campaign, this noncompetitive night ride features food, fun and music. Don't forget your lights!
Sept. 3 Cherokee Foothills Bicycle Tour, Tigerville - Complete with SAG, rest stops and an after ride BBQ meal, this tour departs from and finishes at North Greenville University. All ride proceeds will go directly to the Tigerville Fire Department.
Sept. 10 Tour de Paws, Spartanburg - Offering two routes (28 and 62 miles) on rolling, scenic country roads, this ride benefits the Spartanburg Humane Society.
Sept. 10 Assault on Little Mountain, Little Mountain - Support the PCC by joining the assault on beautiful Little Mountain. Five different routes mean there's something for bicyclists at all levels.
Sept. 17 Crank It! Greenville - Help Amputee in Action's Paralympic athletes make it to London for the 2012 games while you enjoy one of three beautiful routes and a catered post-ride lunch.
Sept. 24 Tour de Peach, Gaffney - For novice and experienced cyclists alike, this challenging ride benefits the American Cancer Society and empowers those effected by cancer to fight back.
Sept. 24 Pedal 4 Kids, Hilton Head - Support the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head and enjoy the pathways and scenic parks of South Carolina's newest Bicycle Friendly Community.
Sept. 24-25 MS 150 Breakaway to the Beach - Always a popular ride, the MS 150 benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society allows participants to ride between 50 and 200 miles and choose to start in Columbia or Charlotte.
Oct 1. Ride for Raptors, Pendleton - Support the Carolina Raptor Center in this noncompetitive ride. Choose between a quarter, metric or standard century.
Oct. 1 Aptalis CF Cycle for Life, Meggett - Ride through the marshlands of the Lowcountry while supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The ride features routes suitable for all skill levels, rest stops and full SAG support.
Oct. 1 Columbia Cyclefest, Columbia - Support injured veterans with Ride 2 Recovery in this ride around Lake Wateree and through Columbia's rolling hills. A post-ride meal will be provided by the American Legion Auxiliary at the finish.
Oct. 22 Ride to Remember, Columbia - This inaugural ride benefits Carolina Concerns of Police Survivors, and features a 15 mile closed course along with 30 or 62 mile routes. Suited for families and experienced bicyclists alike.
Oct. 29 Pumpkin Pedal, Chesnee - Hosted by Spartanburg Water and benefiting the United Way, this recreational ride offers two routes through Spartanburg Water's lakes and watersheds.
Nov. 3-6 FestiVELO, Moncks Corner - In its 14th year, this ride benefits the PCC and Charleston Moves and is four days of food, fun and friends enjoying cycling in South Carolina's beautiful fall weather.
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"South Carolina is Getting it Right"
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 These days especially, there aren't many things that South Carolina gets right. But, according to the League of American Bicyclists in their July/August issue of American Bicyclist, there is one thing that we are doing right: working with with law enforcement.
In their article 'Enforcement: the Final Frontier', Meghan Cahill and Andy Clarke explore what is often the most challenging of the 5 E's that make up Bicycle Friendly Communities, Enforcement, and ways in which communities and advocates can overcome these challenges.
In the article, Peter Wilborn and Bikelaw, our Project Team member in the Safe Streets campaign, are recognized for their approach in working with law enforcement and recent successes in the tragedy involving Matthew Burke. The outcome in the incident involving Matthew Burke has taught the Safe Streets Project Team the value of building professional and mature relationships as a key to successful outcomes. And this is true for work with any allies, whether they be law enforcement officials, engineers, or local leaders.
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Palmetto joyriding next week!
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Palmetto Joyride is just around the corner, and we hope that you'll join in the fun at these wonderful public events. Come meet Mia Birk, have her sign your copy of Joyride, and mingle with colleagues and friends.
CHARLESTON Wednesday, September 7 5:30 - 7:15pm Mia Birk Public Lecture, Wachovia Auditorium, Beatty Center, 5 Liberty Street 7:15 - 8:30pm
Charleston Joyride Reception and Book Signing, 214 King Street (Real Estate Studio) COLUMBIA Thursday, September 8 5:00-6:00 Bike rides departing from various locations, descending upon Publick House 5:30pm-8:00pm Reception and free finale at Publick House GREENVILLE Friday, September 9
5:00 pm
Community bike ride 5:30pm - 8:30pm Bicycle & Pedestrian Friendly Communities and Transforming Transportation (public presentation and reception) For more details, visit the Joyride website or contact Natalie Britt with Palmetto Conservation Foundation or Rachael with PCC. |
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Greenville Bicycle Master Plan Update
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Following over a year of planning, public workshops, and stakeholder meetings, the Greenville Bicycle Master Plan is scheduled to be voted on for adoption by City Council on Monday, September 26 and October 10. Anyone wishing to address City Council in person on the 26th or 10th regarding the Plan, must sign-up to speak prior to 5:30pm the day of the meeting at the City Clerk's desk on the 10th floor of City Hall.
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Lower Savannah Council of Governments Study
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The Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG) is completing a bicycle and pedestrian facilities study. The study will help the COG better understand local interest in bicycling and walking, and local needs for bicycle and pedestrian programs and infrastructure. The study will allow them to identify recommended cooridors for bike/ped use, and identify potential funding sources.
LSCOG needs feedback from the public regarding current bike/ped need. Please take a few moments to fill out this short questionnaire. Even if you do not walk or bike regularly, your feedback will be helpful.
Please view and complete the survey here.
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FHWA Discretionary Grants: Edisto
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Bike lane on Edisto.
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Last month, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that South Carolina will be receiving over $9.2 million in grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Just over $900,000 of this money has been dedicated for safety improvements to the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway (EINSB). These funds will allow for the construction of extra pullover and turnout areas, and 70 percent of the funding will be used to expand existing bike laths and widen lanes.
States are invited to apply for these FHWA grants in early June, with requests amounting to over 30 times the funding available. "At a time when states are facing serious budgetary constraints, these grants will help fill a critical need," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Investments like these are immediate and long-lasting and will help create jobs." This is especially true for bicycle infrastructure projects like the paths on the EINSB, which create 46 percent more jobs for each million dollars spent when compared to road-only projects according to the PERI Report released in June.
Not only will these projects in Edisto improve safety and enjoyment of the area's natural beauty and rich heritage for vacationers and residents alike but will also provide South Carolina with a needed economic boost. The PCC already can't wait for the chance to enjoy the new paths once completed, and we hope you share our excitement!
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Traffic Skills 101 in Greenville
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The City of Greenville is offering a Traffic Skills 101 class this fall, taught by several South Carolina League Cycling Instructors. The 9-hour class, which gives cyclists the confidence they need to ride safely and legally in traffic or on the trail, will be split up into three, easy-to-digest Saturday sessions: September 17, October 1 and October 15. Each session will take place from 9am to noon. The cost for all three classes is $25, or $10 for one or two sessions. All sessions will occur in downtown Greenville at the Nicholtown Community Center,
Register online here. For more information, contact Brian Graham, City of Greenville Greenway and Sustainability Manager (864-467-4350). |
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$1M for Beaufort Rail Trail
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SCDOT is receiving $1M in funding, provided as part of the Transportation, Community, and System Preservation Program from the Federal Highway Administration, to fund the building of their rail trail. The grant award is $1,043,520 and requires a 20% local match. The total cost of the project will be $1,304,400. This will allow the construction of 2-3 miles of trail focusing on the most densely populated center section of the trail. Hats off to Bob Stoothoff, with Pathways Connect, and the many other Beaufort advocates for their more than a decade of work to get to this point.
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September Gear Review: Bodyglide sunblock
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Each month, our friends at Hawley share a review on the latest gear that is passing through their hands and on its way to your local bike shop. Below you will find a portion of the gear review for September; to find out the rest, visit our blog. As always, thanks to Ken Klatte, Production Artist with Hawley, for this sneak-preview.
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Sun block is a great way to prevent sun damage (for those of us not into long sleeve jerseys) so for the past 3 months, we've been testing Bodyglide's "Anti-Chafe" sunblock. What sets this sunblock apart from other brands is its non-liquid, roll on form. Instead of the wet, oily surface from standard sunblock application, the Bodyglide rolls on like a deodorant without leaving the usual oil slick behind. The rounded shape made facial application on this tester's large, angular nose easier than expected. It takes only a few minutes to dry into an invisible layer of protection. 
Did I mention it's odorless? Always a plus not to smell like a water park locker room during a ride.
On the bike, the Bodyglide performed ably enduring all but the hottest and sweatiest conditions. Several rides of 3 plus hours in 95 plus degrees could not dislodge the first layer of sunblock.
Finish reading the review about Bodyglide at our blog!
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We need the support of cyclists like you to continue our efforts of making SC more bicycle friendly. The PCC is the voice for cyclists across South Carolina. Please support us with your donation today.
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