We could talk for eons about whether or not GVL is bikeable, and efforts have been made for years (just scroll through these headlines) to improve bicycle lanes + make things safer for both drivers and bikers on the road.
So instead of rehashing proposed ordinances, brainstorming our own solutions, or gathering stats, we wanted to share our readers’ stories + experiences with our city’s bikeability. 🚲 Here’s where we stand, in your own words.
“Fantastic infrastructure. Unfortunately, there is an aggressive anti-bike culture on our roads making travel on anything other than the SRT dangerous.”
“I live in suburbia and have ridden the same 11.5-mile route for several years. The route has open stretches of visibility. I ride ~3 feet from the edge of the road, with a mirror. If there is an oncoming car, I expect drivers to wait behind me. I never allow a car to meet another car without “pulling out” to pass me. I choose times of day when I expect lesser traffic. I wear ankle-length white socks against black shoes, to help attract drivers attention. Generally, drivers respect me.”
“I know I would appreciate bicyclists who actually follow rules of the road I.e not burning through red lights and stop signs, not arbitrarily weaving in and out of bike lanes in front of cars etc. I lived in Boulder for several years and both drivers and bicyclists were way more diligent.”
“The [Greenville Health System] Swamp Rabbit Trail is excellent and the extension will make it even better. What Greenville lacks and can improve on is more protected bike lanes.”
“I live downtown and have found the drivers generally to be very aggressive to pedestrians. To avoid that experience on my bike, I stick to the [Greenville Health System] Swamp Rabbit Trail.”
“The bike lane on Pendleton St. got partially removed when they added the planters in front of the shopping center near Lois Ave. It makes riding through there a little dangerous. Also, the other side of Pendleton could use a bike path, but I believe the road would need to be widened or something like that. Affordable temporary bike lockers would also be great.”
“With more and more distracted drivers on the road, I only ride SRT. If there were more trails not bike lanes, that would be a plus. Bike lanes downtown or elsewhere are too unsafe.”
“Greenville and surrounding areas are not bike friendly at all! Besides the roads being full of potholes and angry distracted drivers- the bike lanes we do have will have signs IN the bike lane saying “No Parking in Bike Lane”! So we have to avoid the sign and drive in the street- which is very dangerous for cars and bikes. Two examples- one section near the zoo/tennis courts and the other in TR across from the Farmers Market. If you can get the city to put a bike lane on Roe Ford Rd I would appreciate it!”
“Greenville is by far one of the best locations for cycling in our proximity to mtb trails, and country roads. A solid base infrastructure has been laid and just need to expand current undertakings. More bike lanes, shoulders on the road, maintenance of roads, ... and hate to posit the idea, a no texting and driving ban would be helpful for all road users (cars, cyclist, and pedestrians).”
“More bike lanes and less bikers that think they are a car.”
“Greenville has a very extensive Greenway Master Plan that, when executed, will create an extensive network of bike infrastructure for commuting and recreation. The problem is that this master plan has been very slow to come to fruition, and it is now nearly 10 years old. The plan needs to be updated with more modern designs such as protected bike lanes and soft surface trails. GVL is still a great place to ride, but if you want your family of four to feel safe riding across town, we aren’t there yet.”
“The city is horrible for bikers. Hardly any bike lanes, no road shoulders to escape idiot car drivers, and there are too many people who don’t respect that bikes can use the roads.”
“Biker friendly? NO!! Only the Swamp Rabbit Trail meets the “biker friendly” label. Having said that, it needs a lot of work because of the NUMEROUS uneven surfaces that are really bad for the spokes on the wheels. It’s only been in use for about 9 years and already needs much work to bring it back up to standards. Yet money is being spent on adding access trails and expensive bike-crossing traffic lights. How about spending the money where the greatest benefit will be had: fixing what is already there which a large population of bikers use every day? I would not bike anywhere else in Greenville (only unsafe roads are the alternative).”
“Actually commuting anywhere by bike is too dangerous to be viable because of our moronic and uneducated drivers (third worst in the nation). Biking for pleasure, though, is decent in downtown and on the SRT.”
“1.7 of 5 is GVL’s national rating, which is NOT bike friendly. SRT is wonderful but it does not make GVL bike friendly. 1 block of protected bike lane does not make GVL bike friendly. No bike racks at new Aldi, Harris Teeter, Embassy Suites etc does not make GVL bike friendly. Please start making GVL bike friendly so people will not be afraid to bike in GVL. Thx.”
“Bike Walk Greenville has been working hard and partnering with the City of Greenville and Greenville County to build safe bicycling and walking infrastructure. We have recent success stories that we are proud that our advocacy has achieved recently. Our public-private partnership with the County to build the Lakeview Link at Mile 29.7 of the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail will become reality in early 2019 when the County constructs this .4 mile spur trail. This project was possible through our community fundraising efforts to raise $100,000. Also, we are working with the City on a steering committee helping with a feasibility study for the trail that will connect the upcoming Swamp Rabbit Trail extension (Greenline) to Haywood Mall and the many businesses and residences in this corridor. We believe that bike commuting in Greenville will accelerate when these new SRT projects are completed that will connect where more people to places they were work and live. Progress is being made but the feasibility study to project completion will take many years. In August rankings for cities were published by Bike Industry Group People for Bikes and Greenville’s scores are shown here. We agree with the low score of 0.6 for acceleration, the “city’s commitment to growing bicycling quickly.” For several years we have advocated that the city needs a dedicated staff position for a bike walk transportation planner. In fact, we unsuccessfully applied with the city for a grant for such a position two years ago. We enjoy working with City Staff who are receptive to our advocacy ideas, but moving projects from idea to completion is a long process that can only be accelerated by a dedicated city staff leader. We encourage GVLtoday to tell its readers that more voices from concerned citizens to Greenville City Council asking for this position is needed.” – Tim Hibbard, Bike Walk Greenville Board Chair
“Although some progress has been made, I do not consider Greenville bicycle friendly. The SRT has become too crowded (at most times) to ride. It’s dangerous to ride a bike on city streets as the majority of roads have NO shoulder on which to ride. A particular road of concern outside the city limits is Altamont Road on Paris Mountain. This is a favorite among cyclists, I just wish it could be widened to make it safe. It could become a huge tourist draw with a possible spur off the SRT or parking at both ends of the mountain (and maybe an early morning café?). Ride safe y’all.”
“If you navigate appropriate roads and obey traffic laws, the biking atmosphere is ok. As a weekday bike commuter in Greenville for several years, I’ve had a positive experience >95% of the time. However, at times, some people in cars and some people on bikes just aren’t used to a biking environment. At times, some commuters without helmets will ride the opposite way or on sidewalks. Those on fancy bikes and cyclist gear will run red lights. Sometimes cars with honk inappropriately, or be too cordial by staying too long at stop signs of stopping in the middle of the road to let a bike turn. These instances are generally rare. I get more of the sense that at these times, bikes and cars just don’t know what to do because they haven’t had a lot of experience in these situations. Bikes lanes and protected bikes lanes are great, but for getting around the central core of Greenville, I think it’s more important to have a good network of neighborhood streets for bikers to use, since these are already set up for lower speeds, less overall traffic, and stop signs (which are better for bikers in many places).”
“Suburbs surrounding Greenville (where most everybody lives) is not bicycle friendly. Lots of fast traffic that don’t believe in sharing the road. Most Greenville City streets have bike lanes, that are more friendly but are still dangerous. The SRT needs a several bike lanes wide oval track with dips and curves where bikers can ride to via SRT to exercise and count laps. Scenic views would make it even more appealing and popular.”
