Free-Times.com: City Council Approves Bicycle-Friendly Steps - Local Cyclist Wins Over Council with Presentation

It’s all about bicycling for Columbia resident Natalie Britt. “I bike everywhere just about,” says Britt, who lives in the in-town Shandon neighborhood. Spry and sprightly, Britt knows how to give a presentation as well: not too short, not too long; just right. Britt gave precisely such a narrative, on how to make Columbia more bicycle friendly, to City Council on Aug. 15.

“We’d really like to start to advertise a bike rack design contest,” Britt told the council. She is co-chair of a committee the elected body created to try to foster greater affability in Columbia toward the two-wheeled set. Progress on that front would yield health, economic, environmental and other benefits, Britt said.

When she finished her presentation, of the Microsoft PowerPoint variety, the council voted unanimously to let the committee proceed with a bike rack design contest. The competition will be geared toward aesthetically cool racks that would be posted across the city to encourage biking and make it easier. Britt’s presentation included an image of a rack in San Antonio — shaped like a bull with horns.

The council also gave the panel the go ahead to work with the S.C. Department of Transportation to make Jackson Boulevard, one of the main access points to Fort Jackson, safer for cyclists and pedestrians. “The fort is a very popular place to ride,” says Dana Turner, assistant city manager for commerce and development. Turner also serves as city liaison to the committee.

Lastly, the council directed the group to keep the city’s Climate Protection Action Committee apprised of its efforts so as not to duplicate them. The climate body is working to color Columbia green in ways such as cutting City Hall’s energy consumption.

Councilwoman Anne Sinclair suggested the communication between the bicycle and climate committees. Councilman Kirkman Finlay said he is very supportive of the efforts on behalf of biking. But Finlay added that the city should avoid showing up at people’s homes and saying they need to cut their shrubs — presumably to create safer passageways for cyclists — or the local government will do it. He said he’s been “wore out” by people over that happening. — EW