Bridge pedestrian lane raises activity levels, study reports

As the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge approaches the third anniversary of its opening, preliminary results of a survey prove what most of us who drive, bike, run and walk the bridge probably suspect: People are exercising more because of the bridge's bike and pedestrian lane.

In a recent survey of 393 local users by the College of Charleston, 67 percent said their activity levels had increased since the opening of the bridge.

That number is even more impressive among "nonwhites" (most of whom were African-Americans). Of the nonwhites, 85.4 percent reported increased activity levels. Whites reported a 64 percent increase.

The survey, conducted in accordance with strict National Institutes of Health guidelines, was performed within the last year by the College of Charleston sociology and anthropology department. It was initiated by the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The final results are expected to be released this fall.

"The idea for the Ravenel Bridge study came after an elected official requested information on the impacts of adding of bike and pedestrian facilities to an existing bridge," says Vonie Gilreath, senior planner at COG. "The preliminary results of this survey clearly show that if sidewalks and bike lanes are included in roadway design, residents will increase their physical activity as part of their daily routine — be it recreation or commuting to work."

Gilreath adds that the biggest surprise in the study was the positive impact improving the built environment had on motivating the "vulnerable," those prone to obesity-related diseases, and minority populations to walk and bicycle. She speculates that the number of users will rise with the opening of Charleston's East Bay Street multiuse path in June and Mount Pleasant's waterfront park in 2009.

Dr. Patrick O'Neil, director of the Weight Management Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, says the survey's data supports the value of and need for more such paths for walkers, runners and cyclists throughout the tri-county area.

Officials already have plans to add a bike-ped lane on the Ben Sawyer Bridge replacement and unfunded plans for retrofitting the Ashley River bridge and are talking about what can be done with the north bridge on S.C. Highway 7 between West Ashley and North Charleston.

"This (survey) verifies my daily observations that the path is used by people of all fitness levels, and is not just another venue for the highly fit to work out," says O'Neil. "It is gratifying to see the significant numbers of African-American users, men and women of all ages, and to see the substantial numbers of users of all races who clearly are trying to get fit but not there yet."

The results also underscore what he has heard from patients of the Weight Management Center, who "speak enthusiastically about walking the bridge, either as an accomplishment or as an aspiration."

O'Neil adds, "It's good to hear the tone of these descriptions, as fun or a personal achievement rather than exercise drudgery."

While most of the users do so at their own convenience, at least one local health initiative has used the bridge as an integral part of its overall program.

The Lean Team is a collaborative effort of the Medical University of South Carolina and the Charleston County School District. Since November 2007, 180 different people, from groups as small as four to as big as 30 have met at 9 a.m. Saturdays on the Charleston side of the bridge to walk it. At last count, the team had logged nearly 3,200 miles combined.

Mary Joan Oexmann, the Lean Team organizer, says the original plan was for the team to meet until the Cooper River Bridge Run and Walk. But the effort has become a Saturday morning custom for many.

"As long as people are coming out, we'll keep doing it," says Oexmann. "The wonderful thing is that people from all walks of life are forming relationships at the same time they are getting exercise."

The Lean Team includes doctors, college students, minorities and senior citizens.

One of the seniors has become symbolic of the bridge and the change it has made in lives.

Virginia Huff, who is 81, started walking the bridge to lose weight. She walks with a walker, which during the Christmas holiday was decorated, and beams a smile as she says hello to every passer-by. Since she started walking, she has logged 200 miles and lost 32 pounds.

Oexmann says that Huff is an inspiration to her, other Lean Team participants and the thousands of strangers she greets on the bridge.

"She is teaching us that you have to be intentional. Every one of us can follow her example and take one step at a time," says Oexmann. "If you are having a bad day and you're listening to all those excuses — no time, no money, no energy, no way — you simply think about Virginia walking the bridge three times a week, one step at a time."

Reach David Quick at 937-5516 or dquick@postandcourier.com.

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