Program History

The statistics outlined above indicate that there is much to do to increase the opportunities for South Carolinians to become more active through providing access to safe cycling conditions on South Carolina roads and trails. Below is a list of activities the Palmetto Cycling Coalition has initiated or worked on in partnership with other South Carolina organizations since its incorporation as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization in 1997.

• In 1999 and 2000, PCC representatives held a series of meetings with Charles Harrison, Director of the State Park System, to expand mountain biking opportunities within the South Carolina State park System. From these meetings plans were developed to add mountain biking trails at Hickory Knob, Croft Natural Area (formerly Croft State Park) and Saddlers Creek State Parks. All three parks have mountain biking trail systems today.

• In 1999, the PCC initiated the idea of a cross-state tour and sponsored the first Cycle South Carolina. CSC became part of Bike South 2000 - a 2,000-mile ride across six southeastern states. CSC continues today as a self-sustaining annual event.

• In 2000, the PCC began a partnership with the SCDOT and local transportation officials to install “Share the Road” signs on state roads frequently used by cyclists. Today approximately 600 “Share the Road” signs have been installed in 14 counties to date.

• The PCC in partnership with the Charleston Bicycle Advocacy Group and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League organized a grassroots effort to urge the SCDOT and public officials to include bike lanes on the Cooper River Bridge design. A 12-foot wide bike/pedestrian lane costing $12.5 million dollars is incorporated in the design.

• The PCC drafted and introduced a “Share the Road” license plate bill that was passed by the South Carolina legislature and signed by the governor in June 2002. The $54 two-year specialty plate promotes the “Share the Road” concept and $30 of the fee goes to the Coalition’s safety and education programs.

• The PCC raised $4,000 to cover the design and production costs of the first 1,000 “Share the Road” license plates. The plates became available in all DMV field offices in February 2003. As of May, 2004, over 450 Share the Road Plates have been sold.

• In August 2002, the Coalition held its first annual Bike to School Bash in Columbia at which over 150 children went through a bicycle safety rodeo and received a free helmet. The event received newspaper, radio and television coverage.

• In September 2002 the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) incorporated revisions to the South Carolina Driver’s Manual submitted by the PCC to clearly state cyclists’ rights to the road and to educate motorists about their responsibilities to “share the road.” In addition, the SCDPS agreed to include a cycling related question on the South Carolina written driver’s exam.

• In December 2002, PCC Executive Director Natalie Cappuccio addressed the first ever South Carolina Department of Transportation Conference on Accommodations for Bicyclists and Pedestrians. SCDOT Executive Director Elizabeth Mabry, SCDOT commissioners and employees, county and city transportation planners all heard Natalie speak on the importance of including bicycle facilities in the state’s transportation infrastructure.

• Bicycle safety literature and classes in Spanish are being developed for Hispanics to assist them in learning basic bicycle safety and traffic laws since a significant percentage of this population uses bicycles as their primary form of transportation. Law students at the University of South Carolina are assisting with the project.

• A bicycle bus program involving teachers, parents and school children from Lake Carolina Elementary School began in the fall of 2003. A bicycle safety curriculum in physical education courses will be introduced at Lake Carolina Elementary School in the spring of 2004. The Coalition is also working with school districts in Spartanburg, Greenville and York counties as sites to introduce the bicycle safety curriculum.

• In March 2003 the PCC received the “Cutting Edge” Award from SEACT – the Southeastern Association for Commuter Transportation - in recognition of its “Share the Road” campaign to promote bicycle safety in South Carolina.

• In May and June, 2004, the PCC worked with Governor Mark Sanford and his staff to coordinate and support the Governor’s three-day “Family Fitness Challenge” in which the Governor and his family along with over 500 participants rode 175 miles across the state from Spartanburg to Charleston to encourage all South Carolinians to become more physically active.

• In 2004, the PCC initiated the development of a Bicycling Legislative Caucus. A Press Conference held at the Statehouse in Columbia May 20, 2004, announced the creation of the Caucus. Governor Mark Sanford, Senator John Courson and Representative James Smith (SC House Minority Leader) spoke at the conference calling for South Carolinians to become more physically active and promoting the “Share the Road” message to all road users. More than twenty senators and representatives have joined the Caucus to date.

• With the help the Bicycle Caucus and a statewide effort among cyclists, the legislature passed a Safe Routes to School bill (H#4740) and a joint resolution (S#1274) naming the bicycle/pedestrian lane on the new Cooper River Bridge in Charleston (due to be completed in June, 2005) after cyclist Garrett Wonders (a potential USA Olympic team member) who was tragically killed when struck by a motorist while training in Charleston, March 10, 2004.

• In November, 2004 the PCC will present the Safe Routes to School “Bicycle Safety Curriculum” at the annual meeting of the South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (SCAHPERD). This presentation will expose public school physical education teachers from across the state to the bicycle safety curriculum.