The downtown bike plan is officially complete.
When I think of quintessential Charleston, I picture people riding around on beach cruisers, with wicker baskets full of fresh fruit from the farmer’s market. Overall, Charleston has a beautiful, flat landscape, which should be perfect for a slow roll through the historic city.
But have you ever actually tried to bike around downtown on the narrow or ballast stone streets? For someone who is looking for a leisurely ride, dodging cars + pedestrians can be a vicious cycle.
In 2016, Travel + Leisure named Charleston the best city in the world. However, the advocacy group Charleston Moves argued that residents + tourists couldn’t access the charm by bike, making Charleston the Worst City for Cyclists that same year.
Luckily, Charleston Moves + the City of Charleston joined forces to give all of you two-wheeled high rollers exactly what you have been asking for, a connected peninsula.
People Pedal CHS is a collaborative vision. The team worked alongside the 1,300 members of the community to determine which bike routes are most important– and from there developed a grid of bike routes to help you safely + efficiently move throughout the city.
Now that the project is complete, they want to share all the juicy details with you at the People Pedal CHS Kickoff. The event will allow you check out the finalized routes, ask questions, + be in the inside lane of next steps.
Thursday, March 29
6-8 p.m.
Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
Now wouldn’t it be awesome if there was an interactive map for all the new routes so you actually know where you’re going?
Well thanks to the City of Charleston, there is. They have developed an interactive bike map to keep you informed of the developing infrastructure + help you plan your day trips. Seriously, it’s pretty cool. The bike map not only tells you where you can find the best bike lanes + routes but even includes the exact locations, along with photos, of where you can hitch up your wheels.
Although vast developments have been made in the creation of a bikeable city, significant efforts still need to be made in other areas off the peninsula. This April, Katie Zimmerman takes on her new role as Executive Director of Charleston Moves. As a resident who does not own a car, Zimmerman can personally attest to the importance of safe bike + pedestrian paths around the Lowcountry. Her top priorities include developing a bike lane on the West Ashley bridge (#BridgeTheAshley) + creating other safe bike-ped routes along area rivers.
Whether you have a cruiser, a road bike, or a hybrid, there has never been an easier way to pedal around the peninsula. 🚵
I know what you’re thinking– while the peninsula might be a great place to bike, places like James Island, West Ashley, + North Charleston still are not. I feel ya, friends.
But, while other neighborhoods are going through revitalization efforts to make biking safer + fun for residents, (check out Charleston Moves’ Battery2Beach campaign), I am looking forward to strapping my cruiser to the back of my car + exploring the waterfront bike routes on the peninsula. I see you summer, + I am coming at ya with two-wheels. 🚲
Where would you like to see the next bike plan project? Let us know by emailing hello@thechstoday.com.
-Justine, Multimedia Producer