Lights for Life

I briefly mentioned the 'Lights for Life' program in a post a few years ago. At that time, the initiative to provide bike lights to riders in need of them was just getting started in Greenville (with the first few batches of lights generously donated by Charleston attorney Peter Wilborn). Since that time, Bikeville.org volunteers have continued to stage 'Lights for Life' events on a regular basis at churches, rescue missions, and shelters around Greenville. The program has expanded beyond rear flashing LED lights to include front lights and helmets for those bicyclists who need them the most. Volunteers also pump up tires, lube chains, and provide basic maintenance to those often overlooked riders who rely on their bikes for transportation everyday.

Yesterday, along with a few other Bikeville volunteers, I participated in my first "Lights for Life" event at the downtown Greenlink Transit Station (hard to believe that after 5 years as a Bikeville member this was my first one). We provided free lights and helmets to 15 to 20 riders and covered a few basic points of bike safety with each of them (ride with traffic, use the lights at night, wear a helmet, etc.). Most of the people who we met last night were very appreciative of the lights and the help. Some of them had been through a rough day, but it was great to see the smiles as their lights were installed or helmets were fitted. That good feeling was mutual too...it really is great to make someone's day while also making them safer out there on the road. 'Lights for Life' is just one of the many programs that make me proud to be a Bikeville member and volunteer.  Find out more about Bikeville on the website… and look for the contact link if you want to get involved.

Let’s all be courteous road users

As you probably know by now, the proposed Greenville County resolution requesting a change to the State's two abreast law was tabled last night after many local cyclists wrote letters, called their Councilmembers, and spoke in favor of the current law at the County Council meeting. Instead of voting on the resolution, the Council wants to form a committee, consisting of both cyclists and motorists, to study the issue further (similar to the road relations group, I assume?). 

I wasn't able to make it to the meeting last night (due to a conflict with my kids' schedules), but I was glad to see that the local cycling community respond so quickly to prevent this proposed resolution from passing.  As I mentioned in a post yesterday though, it is worth remembering when an issue like this arises that sharing the road goes both ways. Personally, I have witnessed some pretty bad behavior from a few cyclists on group rides, and while I definitely do not think that inconsiderate, lawbreaking cyclists represent the majority of us, I do think that we ALL need to be conscious that we are ambassadors for cycling while we are out on the roads.  It is my hope that this recent proposed resolution will serve as a wake-up call for some of the group riding cyclists out there who refuse to ride two abreast or wave cars around at intersections (and speaking of group rides, any of you who participate should read this).

On that note, I want to pass along the email that Brian Graham sent to the Spinners list last night (for any of you who didn't already see it). I thought he made some great points, and the Spinners Cycling Code of Conduct, which he included in his message, is worth reviewing as well.

Many folks e-mailed me yesterday about the proposed County resolution-- some thinking it was a joke, some being disgusted and some agreeing with the resolution.  While we've learned it was amended, I think it highlights a very real issue.  Each and every time we get on our bicycles we engage motorists and have an opportunity to make a positive or a negative impression.  The law and the Spinners Cycling Code of Conduct (which we must agree to when renewing membership, though I couldn't find it posted on the Spinners website) sets expectations of us as bicyclists.  When we fail to stop at red lights and wait for the green, ride more than 2 abreast, or even ride single file in stretches that prohibit a motorist from passing a group ride-- we create enemies of cycling.  Some may be thinking that it is the actions of a few that are creating this problem for the rest of us, and that may be, but I think the number of folks (many of which may or may not be Spinners) who are sullying the reputation of bicyclists in general are larger in number than we'd care to admit.  There will always be people who are 'against' cyclists and we will never change every one's minds, but that fact shouldn't soften our resolve to make good impressions as a cyclist.  It is our personal responsibility to follow the rules of the road and the code of conduct -AND- to hold our fellow cyclists accountable to those same standards.  As someone who works in the bicycle planning profession I often have to preface some of my recommendations by saying, "yes, I know, cyclists can be their own worst enemy."  It is hard to implement a bicycle master plan or to advocate for change in our community to make it more bicycle friendly when we're creating bicycle enemies.  So, from one bicyclist to another, please join me in setting a positive example and hoping to earn the respect of at least one more motorist the next time we're out riding. --Brian Graham

1.  I will obey all vehicular traffic laws.  I will stop at all stop signs and red lights.  I will signal all my turns.  I will make lane changes correctly.  I will use front and rear lights when riding at night.   I will not ride on sidewalks.
2.  When cycling with others, I will proactively ride single-file if necessary to accommodate motorists.  I will endeavor to create sub-groups and/or to dynamically create gaps in cycling groups when needed to provide motorists a way to pass safely.
3.  I will ride as far to the right of the road as can be safely practiced.
4.  I will not advance my position in a line of motorists stopped in a lane unless a bicycle lane is available to me for doing so.
5.  I will be alert to opportunities to provide courteous communications with motorists that promote safety in sharing the road, such as the "wave-around" gesture.  Conversely, I will never make discourteous communications with motorists.
6.  I will be attentive to all vehicular traffic around me.  I will not use headphones or a cell phone while cycling.
7.  I will wear a helmet at all times when cycling.
8.  I will ride defensively for my own safety, but I will also ride with the expectation that motorists, too, will operate their vehicles in accordance with the law.
9.  I will encourage others to follow this Code.

Proposed resolution to ban 2 abreast cycling in Greenville County

County Councilman Joe Dill is planning to introduce a resolution tonight requiring cyclists to ride single file (state law allows cyclists to ride two abreast). You can see the proposed resolution here or in the text below:

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GREENVILLE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE AND SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE BICYCLE SAFETY LAW SO AS TO MAKE THE ROADWAYS OF SOUTH CAROLINA SAFER FOR BICYCLISTS AND MOTORISTS.
WHEREAS, the South Carolina General Assembly in June of 2008 enacted the South Carolina Bicycle Safety Law so as to grant bicyclists the same rights as motorists to ride the roadways of South Carolina; and
WHEREAS, members of Greenville County Council have received complaints from motorists that bicyclists are riding three and four abreast making it impossible for motorists to safely pass bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3430(D) provides that bicyclists riding upon a roadway shared by motorists "shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles"; and
WHEREAS, Greenville County Council finds that it is unsafe for bicyclists to ride two or more abreast upon any roadway shared by motorists; and
WHEREAS, Greenville County Council finds that the Bicycle Safety Law as it now exists does not provide any penalties for bicyclists that are in violation of the provisions of S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3430(D); and
WHEREAS, Greenville County Council further finds that it would be beneficial for all law enforcement agencies to be authorized to enforce the provisions of the Bicycle Safety law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Greenville County Council, for safety reasons, requests the members of the Greenville County Legislative Delegation to introduce and support legislation to (1) amend S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3430(D) of the Bicycle Safety Law so as to require bicyclists to ride single file upon the roadways shared with motorists except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, (2) provide penalties for bicyclists riding in violation of S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3430(D), and (3) authorize all law enforcement agencies to enforce the provisions of the South Carolina Bicycle Safety Law.

ADOPTED IN REGULAR MEETING THIS ___ DAY OF ____________, 2011.

This will be proposed at the public Council meeting tonight, October 18^th, at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers- County Square. That means there is not much time and we all need to call and email the Council members today. Ask them to vote against Mr. Dill's anti-bicyclist resolution. You can point out that two bikes riding side by side are more visible to motorists and therefore safer for everyone.

If the issue that prompted this is, as Mr. Dill points out in the resolution, "that (some) bicyclists are riding three and four abreast", perhaps the existing two abreast law should be enforced rather than amended. I certainly support enforcement of the traffic laws that pertain to motorists and cyclists, but those cyclists who chose to break the law do not represent us all (just as dangerous lawbreaking drivers don't represent all drivers). On that subject, if any of you see cyclists on a group ride who are not following the law, please remind them to ride two abreast and to allow cars to pass. A little courtesy goes a long way in road relations, so we all need to be conscious that sharing the road goes both ways.  

Good news, bad news, and an opportunity

I have been traveling for work in China the past couple weeks, so I am a bit behind on bicycle advocacy news. Most of you know by now that the Bicycle Master Plan ordinance passed with a unanimous City Council vote last Monday.  As Scott McCrary pointed out on the Spinners advocacy page, it was a resolution not an ordinance and it alone doesn't address all the issues, but this really is a great step toward the goal of making Greenville a more bike friendly town.  We now have a great plan in place to guide future development here, but it is worth remembering that the Bicycle Master Plan resolution is only the beginning.  Implementation will take time… and a lot of effort from everyone who wants to see safer streets in Greenville.

The subject of safer streets brings up the bad news.  I only heard a few days ago about the death of Pastor Bobby Scott Spencer, who was killed while riding on a road in Spartanburg a couple weeks ago.  That recent tragedy in the upstate, along with a couple others in the lowcountry earlier this year, reminds us that South Carolina remains one of the worst states in the nation for bicycle and pedestrian fatalities per capita. In addition to better infrastructure for bicyclists in the state, we need to address the issues of education and enforcement in order to make our roads safe for everyone.  Reducing the fatality rate should not be the goal. As the website for the Sweden based Vision Zero Initiative points out, "no loss of life is acceptable." Zero fatalities on South Carolina roads should be the goal…and it should be one that everyone in the state works hard to achieve.

Finally, I want to mention the San Souci community's effort to support a road diet on Old Buncombe Road, which is on SCDOT's resurfacing list. As Brian pointed out in an email to the Spinners list:

"The reconfiguration (from 2 narrow lanes in either direction) would help slow traffic and may include bicycle facilities (sharrows) in a wide-outside lane. These changes would support the neighborhood and area businesses while making the street safer for all users."

There was much support in the cycling community for 'share the road' signs on Old Buncombe several years ago, so I hope that many of the same people will support this larger effort now. There's a website with an online petition, where you can get more information and express your support for this project.  Spread the word to your friends as well. As with any advocacy issue, every bit helps.

Update: Read more about the Old Buncombe project at the PCC blog.