Adapt to biking growth

The Charleston metropolitan area has a growing bicycle culture that recognizes the recreational, health and economic benefits of cycling. It presents a challenge to provide for its growth in a way that allows riders, motorists and pedestrians all to benefit.

S.R. Whitt, in a letter to the editor today, is dead-on in calling for local law enforcement to stop looking the other way when it comes to bicycling. Bicyclists shouldn't be allowed to blithely pedal through red lights or otherwise ignore traffic laws. Similarly, motorists who fail to give bicyclists enough room or who cut in front of them should be stopped.

Failing to enforce those laws could provoke tensions between motorists and bicyclists and, even worse, cause accidents. Charleston Moves, a non-profit organization that promotes the safe and efficient use of bicycles, acknowledges that many people just don't know the rules.

One of its missions is to educate bicyclists and motorists about pertinent laws and safety. Tom Bradford, with Charleston Moves, says that should be a mission of local police as well.

Cities should advocate for safer and more efficient ways for bicyclists and pedestrians to get where they need to go. Goose Creek, for example, has made a commendable effort to provide a network for bicyclists to get around town safely.

The city of Charleston also is working on plans to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic, most notably between West Ashley and the peninsula. A major component in that effort is a bicycle and pedestrian lane to be built alongside the Legare Bridge over the Ashley River. That link will provide for easier access to the peninsula by recreational cyclists and biking commuters. As a consequence, it will provide even more reason for planners and city officials to keep bicycles on their radar screens.

Mr. Bradford, for example, cited the plan promoted by the Charleston Parks Conservancy to make Rutledge Avenue narrower to accommodate a landscaped buffer between the sidewalk and motorists. "I plan to write a letter asking them to consider bicycling as they make their plans," he said.

You need only stand on a street corner in peninsular Charleston to see how bicycling has increased. The growth isn't just among students or people out for some exercise. You will see people biking to work — some by choice and some by necessity.

There are bound to be growing pains as the bicycling culture grows. Education, caution and law enforcement can go a long way to make things progress more smoothly. Health, environment and financial benefits make it worth the effort.