palmetto joyride Enhancing cycling one community at a time A three day statewide tour across South Carolina featuring author Mia Birk Palmetto Joyride is brought to you by The Palmetto Conservation Foundation (PCF) and Palmetto Cycling Coalition (PCC)
CHARLESTON • COLUMBIA • GREENVILLE
September 7th, 8th, and 9th 2011
palmetto joyride
Enhancing cycling one community at a time in South Carolina
Welcome
Bicycling is great for South Carolina. It improves air quality, it reduces wear-and-tear on roads, and it stimulates local economies and businesses. Bicycling is equally great for South Carolinians—for our waistlines, our pocketbooks, and our personal freedom. Simply put, bicycling is a solution. In a state that is witnessing startling rates of obesity and chronic disease, struggling Main Streets and urban centers plagued by traffic congestion, we must invest in solutions like bicycling that offer benefits to multiple issues. And who better to share the solutions that bicycling can offer to South Carolina than renowned bicycle transportation expert and author Mia Birk. Over the next three days in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville, Mia will share insight and lessons learned during her 20+ years as a tireless advocate in the bicycle world. She will unite political and business leaders, transportation and health experts, bicyclists and pedestrians, and everyone in between, to bring positive change to South Carolina. It brings me a tremendous amount of pride to be a part of the team bringing Mia to our Palmetto state. Without the tireless efforts of our state and local partners, and without the incredible support from our sponsors, this opportunity would not be possible. It is partnerships like these that make events like Palmetto Joyride successful; and it is these same public /private partnerships that drive success in bicycle friendly communities.
Table of Contents
Someone wise once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” In Mia Birk’s case, you might say her journey began with one pedal stroke. Either way, Mia understands that small steps lead to big improvements. Along with those small steps, we must also appreciate the importance of patience, determination, hard work and partnership. As you look through the pages of this program, it’s clear we’ve learned a lot about these concepts while planning “Palmetto Joyride.” Partnership, in particular, was crucial to seeing this event come to fruition. Through the strong power of collaboration, we have come together to bring one of the most influential figures in transportation to South Carolina. Together we have embarked on a Joyride to shape the future of how we get around in the Palmetto State. In the spirit of partnership, we are enhancing walking and cycling one community at a time. Mia’s groundbreaking book shows us that we, too, can make South Carolina a better place to live, work and play. On behalf of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, we would like to thank all of our sponsors and partners for their support in making this event possible. PCF would especially like to thank the Palmetto Cycling Coalition and its Executive Director, Rachael Bronson, without whom Palmetto Joyride would not have been possible.
So, roll up your sleeves South Carolina (and unless you have a chain guard, don’t forget to roll up your pant-leg). Let’s get down to the business of creating a more bicycle friendly South Carolina, one community at a time.
The story Mia presents in Joyride is powerful proof that small investments yield big returns. A little patience and a willingness to collaborate go a long way. Now that we’ve started this journey, I believe our hard work will pay off as we keep pedaling towards a healthier, happier South Carolina.
Rachael Bronson Executive Director Palmetto Cycling Coalition
Natalie Cappuccio Britt Executive Director Palmetto Conservation Foundation
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WELCOME................................................................. 2 MIA BIRK.................................................................... 4 CHARLESTON AGENDA................................ 7 COLUMBIA AGENDA....................................... 9 GREENVILLE AGENDA.................................11
Index of Sponsors SC PRT.......................................................................... 5 DOCTORS CARE. ................................................. 6 HAWLEY..................................................................... 8 OUTSPOKIN BICYLES..................................... 8 EDENS & AVANT. ................................................ 8 SYNTERRA..............................................................10 DUKE ENERGY....................................................12 PIEDMONT HEALTHCARE........................12 LIVEWELL. ..............................................................13 YMCA GREENVILLE........................................13 TTR BIKES...............................................................13 PALMETTO CYCLING COALITION.....13 CHARLESTON MOVES.................................14 PUBLICK HOUSE...............................................14 RICHLAND COUNTY CONSERVATION COMMISSION...........15 PALMETTO CONSERVATION FOUNDATION. ....................................................16
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palmetto joyride
Enhancing cycling one community at a time in South Carolina
Mia Birk Mia Birk is the President of Alta, and a world-renowned expert in non-motorized transportation. With 20 years of experience in pedestrian, bicycle, trail, and greenway planning, design and implementation, Mia’s work has helped the country embrace more sustainable means of transportation. She served as Portland’s Bicycle Program Manager from 1993-99, and in her career has developed more than 100 bicycle, pedestrian, trail, and corridor plans, and has managed the public process, design and implementation of
Made for
over 500 miles of new bikeways and walkways, as well as programs such as Safe Routes to School, bicycle and pedestrianfriendly development codes, and bikeway/walkway maintenance. She is an Adjunct Professor at Portland State University, teaching Pedestrian and Bicycle Issues for graduate students in urban planning.
Poinsett Bridge, Travelers Rest, South Carolina
Mia’s newly-released book, Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, tells the dramatic and enlightening behind-the-scenes story of how a group of determined visionaries transformed Portland into a cycling mecca and inspired the nation.
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Whether it’s exploring an old mount ain trail, splashing in a cryst al clear lake, t aking in a show, attending an art festival or sharing an ice cream cone on an oceanfront b oardwalk, South Carolina is made for vac ation. Find out more and plan your visit at DiscoverSouthCarolina.com.
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palmetto joyride
Enhancing cycling one community at a time in South Carolina
September 7th Charleston Agenda •
8:30AM-10:45AM MORNING VAN TOUR
The tour will provide an overview of the Charleston area roadways and current infrastructure issues and initiatives. The tour will showcase the historic urban peninsula, neighboring suburban communities and beaches, with an eye toward improved connectivity potential.
11:30AM-1:00PM TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND BUSINESS LEADERS’ LUNCHEON 3RD FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 75 CALHOUN STREET, CHARLESTON CITY PLANNING OFFICE
Mia Birk served as a catalyst to transform Portland, Oregon into the premier bicycle-friendly large American City, where an average of four percent of commuter trips are made by bicycle. As Charleston strives to improve bicycle and pedestrianfriendly infrastructure, this luncheon offers a forum for civic leaders to let down their hair with Birk, discuss challenges faced in the Lowcountry and get her insight on how these challenges can be met.
1:30PM JOYRIDE ON THE RAVENEL BRIDGE
Join Mia Birk and civic leaders for a gentle bike ride on Charleston’s celebrated bicycle-pedestrian path, Wonders Way on the Ravenel Bridge. Wonders Way serves as our region’s best example of successfully integrated bicycle accommodation on public roadways, and sets a benchmark for future progress.
WE’VE GOT YOUR EMPLOYEES COVERED
5:30PM-7:15PM MIA BIRK PUBLIC LECTURE WACHOVIA AUDITORIUM, BEATTY CENTER
Widely recognized as a leading bicycle and pedestrian-friendly policy expert, Mia Birk will share the lessons-learned and tools needed to transform communities and empower people, one pedal stroke at a time. Mia’s insight on shaping our transportation, health, economic and environmental future will include examples of how bicycling and walking accommodations can be cost-effective solutions. Mia’s book, Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, will be available for purchase and signing after the lecture.
7:15PM-8:30PM EMPLOYER HEALTH SERVICES Doctors Care is devoted to making our patients’ lives better through health and wellness. From pre-employment drug screening to on-the-job injuries, Doctors Care provides all the necessary medical services an employer needs to ensure employees stay healthy. Employees benefit from convenient medical care, while employers attain health management of their work force and lower health care costs. • Physicals • Drug and alcohol screens • Primary Care • Urgent Care • Work injury care and return-to-work programs • On-site diagnostics and flu services • X-rays and Lab work
CHARLESTON JOYRIDE RECEPTION AND BOOKSIGNING 214 KING STREET (REAL ESTATE STUDIO)
Mix and mingle, meet fellow bicycling enthusiasts and join Mia, Charleston Moves leaders and others in generating continued momentum toward transforming our community. Copies of Mia’s book Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, will be available for purchase and signing.
Thank You to our Sponsors:
C o n t a c t : M a t t h e w B o l i c k | M a r k e t i n g M a n a g e r | 8 0 3 . 7 8 2 . 427 8 E x tended Hours + Weekends | Walk-ins or Appointments Welcome | Doc torsCare.com
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palmetto joyride
Enhancing cycling one community at a time in South Carolina
September 8th Columbia Agenda •
Regardless of why you ride, your local mechanic is there to make sure the wheels keep turning.
10:00AM-11:30PM USC: BECOMING MORE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY LEARNING CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
A conversation at the University of South Carolina’s Learning Center for Sustainable Futures, one of the first green college residence halls constructed in the United States. The conversation, to be moderated by Mia Birk and attended by a diverse yet intimate group of faculty and staff, will focus on ways in which USC’s main campus, located in the heart of downtown Columbia, can become more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Mia will assist the USC stakeholders in a self-assessment of bicycle and pedestrian friendliness, and identify short and long-term objectives in order better improve bicycling and walking accessibility and safety on campus.
12:00PM-1:30PM TRANSPORTATION POLICY AND BUSINESS LEADERS LUNCH NEXSEN PRUET PARTNERS CONFERENCE ROOM
w w w. h a w l e y u s a . c o m
We strongly encourage the support of local bicycle shops and the exemplary service, knowledge and experience that they offer. Your local shop is a critical key to improving bicycle communities across the country; support yours.
A lunchtime discussion, attended by policy and business leaders, focused on transportation policy, its impact on bicycling and walking in South Carolina, and how these infrastructure improvements can offer significant benefits to the business community. Mia will discuss how bicycling and walking accommodations are cost-effective solutions that can be an economic powerhouse for businesses that are realizing the health, safety, economic, environmental and livability benefits of integrating walking and biking into daily life. Together, policy and business leaders will gain further insight on the lessons and tools needed to shape our transportation, health, and economic future.
2:30PM-4:30PM LECTURE AT HISTORIC 701 WHALEY
be outspokin! Outspokin’ provides the best bike fitting and customer service available in bicycle retail. We sell top bike brands like Trek, Mirraco, Bontrager, Garmin, Yakima and more! Stop by and see why Outspokin’ has been voted “Best Bike Shop” over and over again by the readers of the The State newspaper, Columbia Metropolitan magazine and The Free Times. All new bicycles purchased from Outspokin’ include LIFETIME FREE TUNE UPS!
A cross-section of public and private stakeholders will kick off the discussion at historic 701 Whaley, setting the scene for a presentation by Mia Birk about various elements of biking that will motivate the public and private community alike. Mia will share the lessons and tools needed to shape our transportation, health, economic and environmental future by adding 50 easy-to-follow keys to transforming communities and empowering people, one pedal stroke at a time. Mia will discuss how bicycling and walking accommodations are cost-effective solutions that shouldn’t be eliminated from project design because of budget constraints or right-of-way limitations. Mia will discuss the economic development and business growth that these improvements bring to a community, and will explain how these solutions make sense in context of the Midlands. The public will have an opportunity to purchase a copy of Mia’s book Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, and to have their copy signed by the author herself!
5:30PM-8:00PM COLUMBIA PALMETTO JOYRIDE FINALE AT PUBLICK HOUSE
Columbia’s Joyride will conclude with several bike rides that descend upon Publick House, a Five Points restaurant and bar recently recognized for their sustainable practices and improvements to become more green and bicycle friendly. Mia and others will offer an update on the developments and progress made throughout the day, and the public will have an opportunity to learn from these developments and begin to plan their own involvement in the movement. Publick house is generously providing snacks and beverages. The public will have an opportunity to purchase a copy of Mia’s book Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, and to have their copy signed by the author herself! Participants will also be treated with a premier showing of the bike film “Pedal-Driven: A Bike-umentary”. This engaging and powerful new documentary film is designed to advance the national discussion around where mountain biking belongs in the American landscape. Pedal-Driven expertly explores the long-standing conflicts between riders and the federal agencies charged with managing our public lands, as this exploding sport makes its way out of the woods and into the public eye. Thank You to our sponsors:
3223 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205 Store Hours: M-F 10-6, Sat 10-5 • 803-254-9797 www.outspokinbicycles.com 8
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palmetto joyride
Enhancing cycling one community at a time in South Carolina
September 9th Greenville Agenda •
10:00AM MORNING MEDIA - YOUR CAROLINA
Upon her arrival in Greenville, the third and final stop on her Palmetto Joyride tour across South Carolina, Mia will make an appearance on Your Carolina, a daily show on the local CBS affiliate. Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly offers a lighter look at events of the day and the entertaining side of our community. On the show and during other media interviews Mia will be sharing the many benefits of becoming a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly community—covering topics ranging from transportation efficiency and safety to economic benefits and development impact.
11:30AM-1:00PM THE ECONOMICS OF BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE A LUNCHEON FOR LOCAL BUSINESS AND POLICY LEADERS • HOSTED AT THE INNOVATE BUILDING
This lunchtime presentation and discussion with local business and policy leaders will focus on transportation policy and mobility infrastructure and how communities benefit from investing in bicycling and pedestrian facilities. After a few words from community leaders and event sponsors, Mia will discuss how implementing cost-effective and fiscally responsible solutions can help local governments and businesses realize public health, environmental, financial, and safety benefits and the improved livability that comes from integrating walking and biking into daily life. This discussion will include topics such as fiscal sustainability, economic development, and EPA Air Quality Standards. Together, policy and business leaders will gain insight on the lessons and tools needed to reshape our transportation system in order to improve our community health and our economic future.
2:00PM-3:30PM OVERCOMING OBSTACLES- HOSTED AT THE INNOVATE BUILDING AN AFTERNOON ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION TO HELP THE RUBBER MEET THE ROAD
A cross-section of public and private stakeholders from the Upstate will kick off the afternoon discussion by focusing on roadblocks and obstacles to moving bicycle and pedestrian initiatives forward in our community. Participants will have an opportunity to present their most difficult roadblocks prior to the event. Mia will guide the participant driven discussion and present her “Top 10 Tough Situations” as examples and offering the lessons learned and tools that can be used to make progress. Stakeholders will leave the session with a set of action steps that can be implemented to address local challenges.
5:30PM-8:30PM BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES AND TRANSFORMING TRANSPORTATION A PUBLIC PRESENTATION AND RECEPTION
A free community event at the Greenville Little Theatre that will feature a Key Note presentation by Mia on the benefits of a bicycle & pedestrian friendly community and how to build multi-mobile transportation networks that serve a diversity of users. Mia will share her observations of Greenville and discuss her experience working in Portland, OR as well as communities throughout the country. She will suggest some simple action steps that can begin transforming how we think about the relationships between economic development, land-use, public health, mobility, public policy, and the environment. Attendees will have an opportunity to submit questions to Mia ahead of the presentation. Attendees will be greeted with complimentary bike valet, food, and drink; as well as have an opportunity to purchase a copy of Mia’s book Joyride: Pedaling Toward a Healthier Planet, and to have it signed by the author herself. The event begins at 5:30pm with Mia’s presentation at 6:15pm. Thank You to our sponsors:
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palmetto joyride
Enhancing cycling one community at a time in South Carolina
The pursuit of excellence. At Duke Energy, we celebrate perseverance and the pursuit of community excellence. And we salute everyone who’s taken to the road and given 110 percent. In that same spirit, we salute Mia Birk and the Palmetto Conservation Foundation.
www.duke-energy.com
Making the healthy choice
the easy choice
livewellgreenville.org
TTR Bikes ∞∞∞ smart transportation & people-powered fun www.ttrbikes.com 101 S HUDSON STREET GREENVILLE 29601 864.283.6401
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palmetto joyride A Charleston Moves Charity Event Thursday, Sept. 8th 6-9:30pm at Maritime Center 10 Wharfside St featuring local food and drink, bicycle polo, a bicycle and pedestrian fashion show, live music, and more
Charleston Moves advocates enhancing and expanding bicycleand pedestrian-friendly i nfrast ructure and policies in the Charleston area.
Enhancing cycling one community at a time in South Carolina
BIKE BREW HAHA We believe t h e s e options improve personal health, community livability, environmental health and strengthen our local economies.
Preserving Richland County’s Natural and Historic Legacy • Community Conservation and Trail Grants • Historic Preservation Grants • Greenway Planning • Conservation Easements and Land Acquisition
Charleston Moves is happy to be hosting Mia Birk and Andy Clarke to work with our local leaders to meet these goals.
charlestonmoves.org
Publick House was recently recognized for their sustainable practices and improvements to become more green and bicycle friendly.
w w w. r i c h l a n d l e g a c y. c o m
Thank you to our partners CHARLESTON
COLUMBIA
GREENVILLE
CITY OF CHARLESTON
SUSTAINABLE MIDLANDS
CITY OF GREENVILLE
BCDCOG
NEXSEN PRUETT
UPSTATE FOREVER
VONIE GILREATH
EARTH FARE
SALLY NICHOLSON
DAN KELLEY
FUSS & O’NEILL
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
WILL HALTIWANGER
CITY OF GREENVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION
THE REAL ESTATE STUDIO
SUMMIT CYCLES
TOM BRADFORD
CYCLE CENTER
ALTA PLANNING FLUOR
USC OUTDOOR RECREATION 14
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The Natural Connection to South Carolina The mission of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation is to conserve South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources, preserve historic landmarks, and promote outdoor recreation through trails and greenways.
For more information about the Palmetto Trail or Palmetto Conservation Foundation, go to www.palmettoconservation.org or call (803) 771-0870