US Pro weekend in Greenville

This blog is usually focused on bicycle advocacy issues, but I’ll venture a little off topic and mention racing today. If you are in Greenville, you already know that it is time for the US Pro races again (you can find the schedule of events here). As I have in previous years, I’ll be watching the time trial and the road race with a particular focus on the bikes. Look for coverage this weekend at my Bicycle Design blog if you are interested in that sort of thing. Also, be sure to follow Carolina Cycling News throughout the weekend if you want to read about both races from a local perspective.

If you are interested in riding to the races, the Greenville Spinners will be leading a community bike ride to the Time Trial on Saturday, departing from the Zoo in Cleveland Park at 10am.  The Spinners are providing free bike valet for the TT at ICAR, so your bike will be secure once you get there.  

For the Road Race on Monday, Bikeville will be providing free bike valet from 10am-5pm in front of City Hall on Main St.  Speaking of Bikeville, they are hosting the monthly Critical Cruise ride around downtown tonight at 5:30.  Meet next to Barley's for an hour long cruise around downtown “respectfully celebrating bicyclists right to the road.”

Update 6/2: It was another great US Pro weekend in Greenville. Check out a few of my pictures from the races here if you are interested. 

Bicyclists are not a burden

I hope that some of you caught the article that ran in last Friday’s Greenville News titled, Greenville bike plans proceed in low gear. The piece, by Ben Szobody, discusses the Bikeville events throughout the month, the new bicycle master plan, and future plans for bike friendly infrastructure in Greenville. Overall, it is a very positive article, but it does cover all sides of the issue by mentioning some of the public criticism for bike projects in Greenville. Regarding possible bike lanes on Stone Avenue, local civil engineer James Freeland is quoted as saying, “I can't understand the reasoning to put so many drivers at a disadvantage to serve very few bicyclers.” To me, statements like that should serve as a reminder that we need to stress the point that complete streets are for people. The idea is not to disadvantage one group, but to make streets safe for ALL users (with over 40,000 traffic fatalities in the U.S. each year, safer streets should be a priority for everyone). Detractors like to trivialize complete streets and bike lanes by labeling them as recreational amenities for “lycra clad bikers.” In reality, the idea of making roads safer for all users affects that group as well as children, the elderly, families…really everyone. Unfortunately, stories about kids and young teens being killed on bicycles are much too common in this country. It is a trend that we need to stop, and I really hope that there are not many people out there who would disagree with that.

If you read the comments left in response to the online version of the Greenville News article, you will see that the same old argument about cyclists not paying their fair share surfaces again. The majority of us know that is not the case, but for anyone with doubts, I’ll link to a couple of old posts on that subject again. I know that I probably sound like a broken record, but I just don’t understand why all of those people who are so quick to cry foul about bike projects don’t also complain about our heavily subsidized infrastructure for automobiles. If every user is to pay his or her fair share for use of the roads, why are these people not pushing to raise the gas tax to cover the road construction and maintenance money that currently comes from our property and income taxes? I think it is pretty clear that fairness is not really what they want, but the old “cyclists don’t pay for roads” argument seems to be the best they can come up with.

A few of the commenters referred to bicycle infrastructure projects as wasteful spending by the Mayor and city government. Apparently they didn’t read far enough to see that the cost of several current bike lane-striping projects in the city are “mostly covered by a 95 percent match in federal transit funding.” I shouldn’t be too surprised though…I know that members of the vocal anti-bike minority don’t want to get too bogged down in facts. They just hate the presence of cyclists on their roads, so they keep rehashing the same old flawed arguments every time bicycle related projects are discussed.

Maybe it is time for a change in the discussion though. Instead of referring to bicyclists as a burden on the tax system, we should talk about the economic benefits of bicycle infrastructure. If you don’t want to read the entire pdf file from the League of American Bicyclists study, check out a good summary of the report here. Locally, you only have to look as far as the revitalization of downtown Travelers Rest to see real economic benefits from an investment in bike/ped infrastructure. Ask the owners of any of the new businesses that have popped up near the Swamp Rabbit trail what they think about cyclists and pedestrians. I seriously doubt that any of them will refer to us as a drain on society. The Liberty Bridge in Falls Park is another great example. When it was proposed, there were people who predicted that removing the old Camperdown Bridge to build a pedestrian bridge would mess up traffic and completely wreck downtown. Those same people are probably now taking out of town guests to Falls Park to show off what has become a symbol of the city.

The fact of the matter is, bike infrastructure really is a good investment, and the ROI can be seen in cities like Portland, Palo Alto, or Austin that have committed to those projects. Like any other town that wishes to attract innovative businesses and talented, creative people, Greenville needs to make those investments at some point. I think the city is doing the right thing by realizing that now…and I hope that the Mayor and City Council’s commitment to complete streets and other bike/ped improvements will continue.

Bike to Work week events

Bike to Work week in Greenville is underway. We got off to a rainy and cool start, but the weather is looking up for the rest of the week (well…better for Thursday and Friday at least). Remember, you can check the Bikeville bike month page for details on everything that is happening, but I want to quickly remind you about the events planned for the rest of this week

Tonight, Wednesday the 18^th, plan to attend the Greenville Ride of Silence. In past years, Greenville and Spartanburg have participated in a joint Ride of Silence. This year, the Greenville ride will start on Main Street at City Hall. Plan to be there at 6:30 to ride in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways.

After the Ride of Silence, ride your bike to the Peace Center Amphitheater for the Moonlight Movie (from 8 – 10). I will be there, with other Bikeville volunteers, to provide free secure bike parking while you watch the movie. Before the movie starts, you will see the Greenville premier of the four short Palmetto Cycling Coalition's Safe Streets Save Lives videos, which are intended to educate both bicyclists and motorists on the rules of the road.

Friday, May 20^th, is Bike to Work Day, and the theme this year is Bike Shop Rest Stops. Drop by any of the participating local shops on your way to work for refreshments, coupons, and prizes.

On Saturday, Upstate SORBA and Bikeville will host a Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Cleveland Park (shelter 5) starting at 11 am. They will have the wooden ramps and see-saws to ride and will lead guided tours of Cleveland Park’s three miles of mountain bike trails. Helmets are required to participate. Find out more at Upstate SORBA.

Don’t forget the ongoing initiatives this month as well. The bike month page has details on everything.

Bikeville’s pedal power generator

I mentioned in an earlier post that Bikeville has a new pedal power generator that will be used at events throughout the month. At the Downtown Farmer’s Market this weekend, Bikeville’s Andrew Meeker took this photo of City Councilman David Sudduth generating a bit of electricity (on a bamboo bike).

Stop by any of the bike valet stations or other planned events this month to see the power generator in action. Better yet, plan to get on the special trainer mounted bike and generate a little power yourself. It certainly looks like Mr. Sudduth enjoyed his turn creating a little electricity…I bet you will too.

Update: The bamboo bike pictured is a Hilltribe by Phil Webb -www.bamboobikemaker.com. Thanks to TTR Bikes! 

More positive press about cycling in Greenville

In yesterday’s post, I briefly mentioned the “Cycle City” blurb in Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine. As it turns out though, that’s not the only positive press about the local cycling scene to come out this week. The May issue of Town, a new local magazine, devotes seven pages (60 to 66) to their “Hot Wheels” story about bicycling in Greenville. The US Pro races, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and local pro George Hincapie are mentioned (as you might expect). The piece also includes several references to Bikeville, and a profile of Greenville’s urban designer Andrew Meeker (who definitely deserves the recognition). Local businesses including Hincapie Sportswear, Lucky Bike, and Pedal Chic are also mentioned. There is much more than I can cover in a short post, so I encourage you to pick up a copy of the magazine and check it out. 

Thanks to Town for covering the Greenville bike scene in their second issue. Hopefully, that’s only the beginning.

Bike Month is underway!

I mentioned in my last post that Bike Month almost here. Well scratch that now…it is upon us, and it is going to be the best one yet! Be sure to check the list of events again and plan to get out on your bike and join us this month. In addition to the scheduled events throughout the month of May, don’t forget the ongoing Bikeville Commuter Challenge (sign up at WorldCommute.com first) and the photo contest that are underway now. 

You can keep checking the Bikeville site for information. I’ll also be posting links and info on the Bike Greenville Facebook page, so “like” it if you haven’t already for updates throughout Bike Month.

Just a couple other things to mention while I am posting…

Tonight, May 3^rd, from 5:30 to 7:00 there will be a sign up for the Stars and Stripes Challenge at Pedal Chic in downtown Greenville. Those who sign up tonight will be eligible for some great prizes including a Jamis bicycle courtesy of Fairway Subaru. Check the Pedal Chic Facebook page for more info.

In a recent profile of Upstate South Carolina, Southwest Airlines’ Spirit magazine called Greenville “Cycle City”. Read the section about cycling here in this pdf of the “Play” section. It’s great to see more positive coverage of Greenville’s cycling scene in a national publication. Let's keep the good things happening here.