Leadership Columbia Class of 2015 Announces “Shared Streets” Project in Effort to Advance Columbia as a Bicycle Friendly Community
February 16, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – The 2015 Leadership Columbia class announces the “Shared Streets” project that will improve ways for pedestrians, bicyclists, buses and cars to share safe and attractive Columbia streets. Leadership Columbia will bring this vision to life with a plan to connect the three major Columbia areas – Main Street, The Vista and Five Points. The project will help nurture a healthier, safer and more vibrant Columbia community.
The 60 Leadership Columbia class members will be installing new bike racks and putting in new sharrows on downtown streets, introducing a mobile app to promote the different local transportation options and points of interest – connecting Vista, Main Street, Five Points and USC, and streetscaping on the Taylor Street side of the Lincoln Tunnel along the Vista Greenway. All of this will culminate with a special event in April to highlight National Bike Month.
“Shared Streets” will set the stage for the City of Columbia’s 20-year plan to connect Columbia and revitalize the city’s corridors. The Central Midlands Council of Governments has partnered with the City to develop a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and Bike Share Plan, called “Walk Bike Columbia.” The project will include a network of complete streets for Columbia, as well as biking and walking related programs and policies.
“Cities across the country are realizing that having a multimodal transportation system is an important part of being a livable city that will attract and retain young talent.” said Lucinda Statler, Project Manager of Walk Bike Columbia. “Walk Bike Columbia is a long term master plan that looks at Columbia’s bicycle and pedestrian network, connecting to transit, and improving our programs and policies which support these efforts. The Leadership Columbia projects are coming at an exciting time, as we wrap up the master plan and move forward towards implementation. It is so important to see projects on the ground to keep the momentum going and get people excited about what is to come.”
In 2008, Columbia earned the national designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community and in 2012, the University of South Carolina became the first Bicycle Friendly University in the state and one of only a few dozen around the country.
Columbia, however, like most communities, can be difficult to navigate on foot and by bike. According to the League of American Bicyclists, South Carolina ranked 47th in 2014 in statewide bicycle friendliness. From 2009 to 2013, the ranking wavered from 26th to 39th and has now dropped to 47th. This is a reminder of all of the work that needs to be done.
Making a communities more bicycle-friendly has proven to increase a community’s safety and economic success. AARP Livable Communities published a report showing that a walk-bike trail connecting downtown Indianapolis to a half-dozen emerging cultural districts helped turn a former industrial wasteland into a location filled with museums and attractions. It also generated more than $850 million to the local economy.
“The Columbia Chamber fully supports the current Leadership Columbia class’ Shared Streets project.” said Anissa Floyd, Vice President of Talent & Leadership Development for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. “Not only will this initiative promote an eco-friendly and healthier lifestyle, the Shared Streets project will also benefit local businesses. It’s undeniable that bikes mean business. Bicyclists and pedestrians tend to shop closer to home – and more often. As a result, they often notice and try out new shops and restaurants. The Columbia Chamber believes that the Shared Streets project will continue to fuel the development and growth of Columbia’s economy by making businesses more accessible to local consumers and tourists.”
Leadership Columbia class of 2015 will spearhead the “Shared Streets” project with a goal to make our community a bicycle and pedestrian friendly place for residents and visitors. The plan will improve safety while designing attractive, welcoming, and comfortable streets, greenways, and trails for more people to enjoy walking and biking. The effort to make the area more bicycle-friendly will not only improve local health and economy, but make Columbia a place where people don’t just work and live, but thrive.
Leadership Columbia is asking for help to secure fundraising for sharrows or in kind gifts for soil, mulch and plants. If you can help, please e-mail [email protected]
About Leadership Columbia
Sponsored by the Columbia Chamber, the Leadership Columbia program provides existing and emerging leaders with opportunities to enhance their civic knowledge and network. For over 40 years, the program has helped participants better understand how our community works, build relationships with the region’s current and future leaders and become inspired to focus their talents in a way that will best serve the community. Leadership Columbia participants develop the skills necessary to assume leadership roles and also become exposed to opportunities for community involvement.
