Bike Share in Columbia: About Time!

August 29, 2018, by Michael Dantzler, Tips by Corrine Reed

Good news, Columbia: we will be getting bikes and bike dock stations by the end of September 2018. It’s something we have been looking forward to for a while at the South Carolina Livable Communities Alliance. Bike sharing have been around for a while and even in South Carolina cities of Charleston, Greenville, and Spartanburg. Instead of having residents consider the sometimes pricey investment of a bicycle in addition to owning a car – now we have the option of a pay per use bicycle through bike sharing.

As much as I enjoy walking through downtown Columbia, I look forward to pedaling the streets a little quicker from one community to the next. Plus, I love that it will be affordable to make bike usage less of an ivory tower investment. I’m already planning reasons to jump on a bike now with friends and family. I can’t wait to go out to eat, jump on a bike, burn calories, tour historic areas, or even do a food tour on a bike!

At SC Livable Communities Alliance, we love this new bike share program! When more people are out of their cars, it increases awareness of the need for infrastructure that benefits everyone – not just people who drive. Walking and biking also brings communities together in really unique ways!

Here are some ways you can be an activist for complete streets through using the bike share program:

1. Share your experiences (the good, the bad, and the ugly!)

Never underestimate the power of storytelling. We want people to know that complete streets benefit everyone – not just a small, special interest group. If you participate in the bike share program (or anything related to walking or biking), join our Speakers Bureau!

The Speakers Bureau takes as much or as little commitment as you want. Being a member can be as quick as sharing a 2 sentence quote about your commute! The most popular option, so far, is to meet us for (free!!!) coffee and let us interview you. We also need some folks willing to write letters to the editor for local papers, and we have tons of templates you can use. Click here to join or request more information today!

2. Sign our policy letter of support

Join the 11 mayors, 19 organizations, and 4 businesses who have already signed our letter in support of a state-wide complete streets policy! Did you know that Columbia’s Mayor, Steve Benjamin, was the 2nd mayor to support our policy? If you’re a leader who cares about building livable communities through livable streets, contact Corrine Reed at [email protected] for more information!

3. Be sure to thank the people who already support us!

Us Southerners love a good thank you note! If your favorite mayor, organization leader, or business owner is a supporter, be sure to thank them today (online, over the phone, or by snail mail)!

Please also request a copy of our information to send your favorite leader if they aren’t one of our policy signors yet!

Our Supporters

Mayors

Mayor Knox White, Greenville, SC
Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, Columbia, SC
John J. Tecklenburg, Mayor, City of Charleston, SC
Mayor Stephen J. Wukela, City of Florence, SC
Mayor D. Welborn Adams, City of Greenwood, SC
Blake Sanders, PLA – City of Easley Planning and Projects Manager Mayor Town of West Pelzer, SC
Mayor Brandy Amidon, Travelers Rest, SC
Mayor Rick N. Osbon, City of Aiken, SC
Mayor Tim Goodwin, City of Folly Beach, SC
Mayor John Gettys, City of Rock Hill, SC
Mayor Foster Senn, City of Newberry, SC
Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy, Conway, SC