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.

Go Magazine, Joyride, and the Master Plan

Greenville City Council’s first vote on the Bicycle Master Plan is less than a week away, so please email a letter of support if you haven’t already.

Speaking of the Master Plan, I encourage you to pick of a copy of the September issue of Go Magazine (and not just because the back of my leg is featured on the cover). The issue features a good article by Gary Hyndman about the Bicycle Master Plan, which I think does a good job of expressing the community support for better bike infrastructure, and safer streets, in Greenville. As City Councilmember Amy Ryberg-Doyle says in the article, “the people have spoken. This is not a top down initiative.”

The recent SCDOT Pelham/ Roper Mountain resurfacing projects are also mentioned in the article. Neither of those roads will get bike lanes…a fact that still frustrates me quite a bit (more on that later). Hopefully once the BMP resolution is passed though, SCDOT will pay more attention to their own “Bicycle Accommodation Policy” and include provisions for bikes as part of resurfacing projects in the Greenville area. With both of those recent paving projects, we missed a great (cost effective) opportunity to include bike lanes on roads that are included in the plan, but there will be future opportunities as well.

While I am posting, I want to mention the Joyride reception with Mia Birk, which occurred just over a week ago. Overall, I think it was a big success. Around 200 cyclists attended (the bike racks in front of the Greenville Little Theater were packed), and Mia’s presentation was very encouraging. Personally, it was good for me to hear her perspective, and to step back a bit and look at our accomplishments in Greenville over the years. I have been somewhat involved in bicycle advocacy efforts here for the past seven years, and though it is easy to be discouraged by setbacks (like the one I mentioned in the above paragraph), we have come a long way and the small successes along the way are worth celebrating. Mia took notice of the good things happening in Greenville, saying this via this twitter after her day here:

"Greenville SC rocks! Love the Swamp Rabbit Trail, bike lanes & beautiful downtown."

Great to hear! Now let’s just build on that and make Greenville an even better place to live and ride a bike.

…and check out Mia’s book if you haven’t already. It is encouraging to hear stories the stories about Portland in the 90s and realize that the opposition we sometimes face here is not unique.

For more about Mia’s tour of South Carolina, check out this post at the PCC blog.

Time to let City Council know that you support the BMP

City Council’s first vote on the Greenville Bicycle Master Plan is two weeks away, so if you haven’t written a letter of support yet, now is the time to do so. I encourage you to address your letters (or emails) to Mayor White and the members of the Council, and also copy City Manager John Castile. In addition to writing, please plan to attend the meeting on Monday, September 26^th at 5:30pm in person if you can. The public meeting will take place in Council Chambers on the 10^th floor of City Hall (206 South Main Street). If you wish to briefly speak in favor of the plan that evening, show up a few minutes early and sign in with the City Clerk.

For more detailed information about the plan, check out the Executive Summary on the Greenville BMP website and the fact sheet that I posted a couple weeks ago. In this post though, I want to cover a few points that might be worth mentioning in those letters of support.

• The Bicycle Master Plan is the result of over a year’s worth of work by many people including traffic engineers, urban planners, and concerned citizens. About 400 people participated in the two public community workshops and around 700 offered input through the online survey.

• The Plan is a blueprint for future development of a safe bicycle network that will give people more transportation options, as well as a greater opportunity to ride for fun and fitness. In a survey during the plan’s development, 60% of respondents were “interested but concerned” about cycling on the City streets. Those are the people who will benefit the most from this plan, not just the smaller percentage who already ride a bicycle on the roads.

• Currently, South Carolina ranks as one of the worst states in the nation for cyclist and pedestrian deaths per capita. Focusing on making our roads safer for all users should be a major priority.

• Bicycle infrastructure is a good investment and allows Greenville to compete with bigger cities when it comes to attracting businesses and talented people. Executives and professional people are increasingly choosing where to live based on quality of life issues, and bicycle friendliness is a top priority for many of them.

 

Again, those are just a few points to mention, but I encourage you to read through the Fact Sheet for more. Whatever you write, please send a letter this week. It is important that we let our elected officials know that this plan is something we support. 

Palmetto Joyride with Mia Birk is tonight

I mentioned it before, but I want to remind you that the ride and reception with Mia Birk is tonight. See the invitation below (click to see it larger), and check the Palmetto Conservation Foundation website for more details. I hope to see you there!

Bikeville E-Newsletter

There is some great information in the Bikeville E-Newsletter that was sent out today. Check it out here, and subscribe now if you don't already receive it.

In particular, I want to point out the Traffic Skills 101 courses, to be taught in three, three-hour sessions on September 17, October 1, and October 15th at the Nicholtown Community Center. Click here to register.

Needless to say, the upcoming Bicycle Master Plan vote is mentioned in the newsletter as well, and you are encouraged to contact your City Council members. I have mentioned the BMP vote a couple times here lately, but look for a new post with more information soon.