Bike paths growing across Lowcountry

Whether you use a bicycle for transportation or for recreation, you've got miles and miles of bike paths available in the Lowcountry, and the network continues to expand.

Bikers could see a new path from Mount Pleasant to Sullivan's Island by the end of the year.

"We're so close to funding, we may see some progress on it this year," said Gary Ponder, a Mount Pleasant town engineer.

The 8-foot-wide path would run along the right side of Ben Sawyer Boulevard as it goes toward the bridge across from the Bi-Lo shopping center, where the sidewalk now ends.

The path would complete a longtime vision for a safe bike route from downtown Charleston all the way to Sullivan's Island.

A narrow path already runs between Mount Pleasant and the Ben Sawyer Bridge, but it's not adequate, according to Brad Morrison, Mount Pleasant's transportation director.

"The existing facility out there is barely even a sidewalk, it often being only about 4 feet wide," Morrison said, adding that the town has been working with Sullivan's Island and Charleston Moves on the project.

Charleston Moves is a group working for more bike and pedestrian paths. Director Tom Bradford says the new path on Ben Sawyer Boulevard is sorely needed.

"Frankly, it's quite dangerous," he said of the existing path. "If you were approaching somebody in the opposite direction, there's no room to stay on the pavement and pass safely. We think there would be a lot more people using it if it could be made safer and more accommodating."

A major component of the vision to bike from Charleston to the beaches was the opening of the bike and pedestrian lane over the Ravenel Bridge in 2005. It's one of the most popular bike paths in the Lowcountry. The lane is completely separated from traffic by a wall. The incline of the bridge makes it a good workout, and there are great views of the river and marshes.

Elsewhere east of the Cooper, federal funds were recently approved for a new bike path on Daniel Island, but construction is not likely to start this year.

Residents have been asking for a bike and pedestrian path from Clements Ferry Road across Thomas Island to connect with the existing network of bike paths that start at Fairchild Street.

The Charleston Area Transportation Committee approved using federal grant money for a bike path from Clements Ferry Road along St. Thomas Island Drive to Blackbaud Stadium last week. But a possibility of additional charges from the state Transportation Department for designing the project prompted planners to agree to determine whether they could find a less-expensive alternative.

Berkeley County Supervisor Dan Davis said he would not expect any pavement on the trail this year, although next year is possible.

The section of the path from Blackbaud to Fairchild Street would be in the city of Charleston. Money has not yet been found for that segment of the path, said Philip Overcash, a planner with the city.

For those looking for a scenic place for recreational biking, Palmetto Islands County Park off Boone Hall Road offers a mile of paved trails and three miles of unpaved trails through fields, woods and marshes. Admission is $1, and you can rent a bicycle for $4 an hour. During February, the park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For those looking for a more rigorous workout, a new mountain bike trail is taking shape. It will be in Goose Creek, but it's being built by a West Ashley resident who works in Mount Pleasant.

The trail is being built on undeveloped property that's part of North Charleston Wannamaker County Park. The entrance is off Westview Boulevard, which comes off St. James Avenue.

"It will be one of the finest mountain biking trails in the area," said Edmund Brown, the park's manager.

Eventually, the mountain-biking trail will be accessible from the park, he said.

Brad Phillips of West Ashley, a longtime dirt biker who manages the Yamato Steakhouse in Mount Pleasant, has been clearing out the seven-mile trail almost single-handedly for the past month. He recruited some volunteers to put the finishing touches on the course last weekend.

"It's a lot of hard work," he said. "Hopefully, it's going to be a pretty good deal. A lot of people are excited about it."

He expects the entrance and a parking lot to be done by the end of the month.

The trail will have routes that are accessible to beginners as well as ones that are challenging for experienced riders, he said.

Mountain bikers can ride trails in Marrington Plantation on the Naval Weapons Station off Redbank Road, but they need a $10 annual pass that requires a Department of Defense background check that usually takes several months. The new trail will be open to everybody, Phillips said.

He expects the first race this fall. He plans to post updates on the Facebook page of his biking club, Lowcountry Fat Tire Freaks. The club includes about 150 members from all over the Lowcountry.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553.