Making South Carolina more
bike and walk friendly, since 1995.
Feb/Mar 2020 Newsletter
Safe Streets Lobby Day success
Led by the PCC , we organized Safe Streets Lobby Day Feb. 5th, in partnership with the National Safety Council - Southeast, Citizens for Safe Streets, Bicycle Corporation of America, Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club, ABATE, and many others.

We focused on S.723, the Hands Free bill and spoke with dozens of legislators. S.723 has vast support, though real challenges exist. We discussed those, listened, and worked through those concerns in subsequent discussions about amendments with legislators, with the goal of moving the bill forward. Read the blogpost here for more info . S.723 hit a big stall with the Santee Cooper debate and then coronavirus.

What can you do now?? Enjoy time with your family. But if you're itching for action, work to pass a LOCAL resolution supporting the STATE Hands Free bill, S.723, similar to efforts in HHI , Bluffton , Charleston (pending), and Myrtle Beach (pending), and Columbia (pending), and email those to Senate Transportation committee Chair Larry Grooms.
E-bike bill passed with Governor's signature!
On February 3rd, 2020, Governor McMaster signed PCC's e-bike bill, H.3174 !!!

Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are now legally defined in South Carolina state code for traffic enforcement, carrying same rights & responsibilities as those riding other bicycles. Text is here . Contact us for more information. And please thank your legislators today, especially these Representatives: Reps. Elliott, Tallon, G.R. Smith, Taylor, Cogswell, Dillard, Norrell, Felder, Daning and Hixon. Also please thank Senators Bennett and Grooms.

A Class 3 e-bike definition initiative will be pursued by industry partners at People for Bikes (PfB) in the South Carolina legislature in 2021. PCC worked with PfB to coordinate the initiatives.
PCC Legislative Update: S.723 and S.906
On March 3, PCC and volunteers showed up to testify in support of S.906, the Three Feet bill . On a rainy Tuesday! We can't thank them enough, because it led to S.906 passing successfully & swiftly through subcomm ittee! Senator Luke Rankin of Horry County assisted tremendously.

Late last week S.723, the Hands Free bill, and S.906 were headed for a full committee vote, but s ession came to a halt with the national coronavirus emergency. The Senate and House this week tended to one thing only: approving additional funding for SCDHEC to combat the spread of the virus. The House & Senate are adjourned until called back by respective leadership. Stay tuned. PCC is confident these bills will see the light of day when session returns - possibly during the 2021-2022 session.
SC Livable Communities Alliance: update
Stay tuned for a blogpost series, explaining the sweeping changes and reform coming from SCDOT, soon.

PCC led the coalition effort. The Secretary recently announced her commitment to develop a Departmental Directive . If you've ever said "if only SCDOT would do [x,y, or z]", we want you to share our upcoming blogpost series far and wide, to elevate collective expectations. Stay tuned!
Local Spotlight: Florence
PCC participated in a stakeholder meeting to grow the capacity for a regional trails network.
These businesses, old and new, are located adjacent to a Florence trail: a bike shop, an outdoor gear shop, a barber shop, a coffee shop, and (soon) a bicycle
pump track.
Florence is making strides on many levels, both downtown and in their larger trail network. It's not a surprise that this group of growing businesses is conveniently located adjacent to a trail that will, one day hopefully, connect to other trails leading downtown, and regionally.
Yellow Jersey Sponsors
Event Spotlight:
East Coast Greenway Summit, goes virtual
The April 3 summit goes virtual this year. Professionals from many fields — planning, recreation, public health, transportation and community development — will gather to share best practices, strengthen networks and influence trail and greenway development in the Southeast region. Highlights include a keynote from 8 80 Cities founder Gil Penalosa keynote, 30+ impactful breakout sessions, . Summit will be online with select presentations. We are excited to share select presentations from a record-level of submissions. Make plans to join online Friday, April 3! Register here: bit.ly/SESummitECG.
Transportation for America looking for signatures!
Do you represent a local organization? If so, consider signing this document from Transportation for America supporting program changes that prioritize maintenance, design for safety over speed, reduce pedestrian crashes, and connect people to jobs & services. Sign here , representing your organization. PCC has signed.
SAVE THE DATE

Mar 30
Apr 1-4 (virtual event)
Apr 11 (cancelled)
Apr 24 (cancelled)
May 3-4

Got a ride to share?
Full calendar has more.
Also see route links.
We are only as strong as the members that support us. 
Please donate and be a part of our efforts today! 

Support a bike friendly SC through your purchases too!
WHATyouCANdo
Bring our Safe Streets
curriculum to your community.
Contact us to have one of our SSSL Ambassadors
speak to your group.
Platinum Sponsors
Share the Road plates are for sale online, once again! Technical difficulties should be resolved. Let us know if you still experience problems.

Get your Share the Road plate here .
Amy Johnson Ely
Executive Director
Pamela Wood Browne
Community Engagement Coordinator
Copyright 2020