In 2011, we unveiled Safe Streets Save Lives, a partnership with Peter Wilborn of Bikelaw. Safe Streets is the first initiative of its kind that is working towards reducing the number of automobile / bicycle crashes and deaths on South Carolina roads. In the initial phase of the project, the project team worked with Lunch & Recess to develop four 60-second video public service announcements (PSA's) relating to South Carolina's bicycle law. In the first year after the videos were produced, hard copies of the PSA's were shared with law enforcement, teachers, advocates, public officials, and many more throughout South Carolina. Private news stations throughout the state placed the videos into rotation as a public service contribution, and most large cities statewide placed on their city channels.

Raise money online for Safe Streets Save Lives

In the second phase of the campaign, which is underway in 2012, we hope to continue to raise awareness about bicycling and South Carolina law. We are striving to reach a broader audience than currently achieved, and by penetrating public discourse, we hope to make the issues surrounding bicycling more mainstream. With the completion of this phase of the campaign, more South Carolinians will be familiar with bicycling and the law.

To achieve this vision, this phase focuses on two primary areas: public outreach and public relations. We are strategically placing the PSA's into broadcast and cable television stations throughout the state, as well as placing them on affiliated stations' websites. With a PR focus, we will be integrating topics of bicycling and the law into the media through interviews and stories. In this way, we will be able to tell a more colorful, layered story about South Carolina's progressive bike laws, its cyclists, and how we can all share the road to get there together.

A final component of the public outreach is through traditional educational opportunities. Thus, in phase two, we are developing a curriculum to coincide the Safe Streets campaign. With this curriculum we will be able to offer our fellow bicyclists, teachers, law enforcement, and many others the tools to make a direct impact in their community. The curriculum will include slideshow presentations, instructor/teacher materials, and other collateral materials. To find our more about the progress of the curriculum or to offer your services as an ambassador of these materials, contact Rachael.

Smart Cycling Program

As roadways and bike trails become increasingly complex and congested, do you know all you need to know to safely ride a bicycle? Do you feel you know enough to teach your children how to ride cautiously and conspicuously while on their own? When you drive your car, are you confident on how to share the road with bicyclists? The Smart Cycling program gives you the tips, tools, and techniques to confidently to answer YES to each of those questions.

The Smart Cycling program, developed by the League of American Bicyclists, is a set of curricula for adults and children and the certified instructors that teach it. Smart Cycling classes are taught across the United States by certified League Cycling Instructors (LCI).

On roadways in South Carolina, bikes are treated as vehicles. Simply knowing how to ride a bike is not the same as knowing how to operate a bike safely and legally.

There are several courses within the Smart Cycling curriculum. The most popular is Traffic Skills 101, which will allow you to gain confidence and learn about riding legally and safely. For more information on scheduling bicycle education and commuter course in your area, contact Rachael.

To become a LCI, you must have experience on-bike and have good technique and teaching skills. The PCC strives to host an LCI Seminar every other year, with the last being in 2010. Contact Rachael to find when the next Seminar will occur.