Filed under: Community Organizations, News | Tags: Bike-friendly, Bike-to-Work, Biking Lifestyle, Healthy Community, Trends
Ok so this post isn’t exactly about Cycle Chic in the ‘chic’ sense, but it IS about something near and dear to my heart (and the underlying motivation of Charleston Cycle Chic) – making a city more bike-friendly. This past weekend, the NY Times wrote an excellent article on how Boston, long known as a ‘cyclists’ minefield’, is turning itself around and implementing measures to become more bike-friendly. Now Boston was established much the same time Charleston was. It has historic buildings, narrow streets and is surrounded by water and bridges. It also has a history of moving a bit slowly to get things done. But not anymore. In fact, Bicycling Magazine recently cited it on it’s Five for the Future list.
What does it take to make a city bike-friendly? As I experienced so clearly on my recent trip to Boulder, CO – it’s about creating bike lanes that go from Important Point A to Important Point B. It’s about having bike racks everywhere (here’s a link to ours). It’s about businesses encouraging bike parking (like Charleston’s Downtown TacoBoy!), and educating drivers about what it means to share the roads.
But it’s also about having leadership that loves to ride. Boston’s Mayor Menino recently discovered the biking lifestyle and realized just how important it is to a city’s sustainability and enjoyment and so quickly got to work. He even started Hub on Wheels, a Citywide Ride and Festival.
So I get it. As much grassroots moving as we can do, it still has to come from the top. So Mayor Riley – here’s what I propose to you. Come ride with me around our beautiful city. If you don’t have a bicycle, I’ll buy one for you. That’s my commitment to you, to this city, and to this lifestyle. Try it! It just might change your life.
Filed under: Cycle Chic | Tags: Bike-to-Work, Biking Lifestyle, Healthy Community, Trends
I just found this article on Treehugger.com talkin’ about all ya’ll Charleston Cycle Chic aficionados with a photo of our lovely Cara Kelly riding down the Battery. What do you say CCC ladies (and gents)? Are we going to live up to their vision of us? Our gorgeous fall is just around the corner and we can no longer use the excuse of ‘perspiration’. Let’s ride into the sunset, shall we??
By the way, if you haven’t seen Treehugger.com before, they have a superb collection of posts on all things ‘green’ and progressive – from Design and Architecture to Food and Fashion and everything in between. Check them out!
Article excerpt…
“Charleston Cycle Chic is making biking to work all the rage. Bonnie wrote about Cycle Chic in London last year and while it took a little longer to catch on here in South Carolina, the movement is gaining a foothold. In South Carolina and even in a more forward thinking Charleston, all too often you’ll see people hop in their cars to drive two feet and then have trouble finding a parking space which leads to them continually driving around the block…more
Filed under: Cycle Chic | Tags: Bike-to-Work, Biking Lifestyle, Chic, Fashion, Healthy Community, Seen around town
As I go about my daily business, biking, walking or just cafe-sitting, I always have my trusty IPhone camera ready to whip out a moment’s notice because you never know when a beautiful woman on a great bike is going to roll by. Here are a few recent examples of Charleston Cycle Chic in action. Note the bikes, note the outfits, note the lifestyle and the happy glow of a woman who knows she’s having fun.
Here's a mystery woman catching some rays and literature at Colonial Lake. I am diggin' her all-white bike, and the crispness of the green grass against her blue blanket. What more do you need on a sunny Southern day?
Kristy on her way to brunch with the in-laws (aren't they lucky?). Love the bright white and the cute wedge shoes. And of course, a great straw bike basket with an easy-to-access cup/water bottle holder. Nice.
Susan is the epitome of the Charleston Lifestyle. I caught her on the way back from an outdoor concert at CofC, happy to be outside on the move while her friends were still dealing with parking. Susan rides to work at MUSC on this little red and white cruiser. So proud!
Filed under: Cycle Chic, Events | Tags: Bike-to-Work, Charleston, Chic, Events, Slow Bicycle Movement
What’s better than lovely ladies riding bikes through Charleston? Video posted! Thanks to my friends Dustin Ryan for the great footage and Jim Wallace on the Bike Taxi.
or on Vimeo
Filed under: Community Organizations | Tags: Bike-friendly, Bike-to-Work, Charleston, Healthy Community
CharlestonMoves is a great non-profit organization in Charleston, SC promoting bicycling, walking, running and public transportation for a healthy community and healthy lifestyle. They are advocates for Charleston becoming a bike-friendly community and are responsible for giving us our fantastic Bike/Walk path over the Ravenel Bridge.
Read this story of action on “Wonders Way“
CharlestonMoves is constantly working on other projects such as the completion of the West Ashley Greenway, the expansion of the Ben Sawyer Bridge and promoting bike/walk lanes on the new Coleman Blvd.
So let your voice be heard and check out CharlestonMoves volunteer and membership information.
