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The more time that passes, the less crotchety and more accepting people will become to cyclists in Charleston. However, for now, the prevailing view is that you are an obstacle, if not a target. Welcome to the south.
Again, drivers attitude is the roads are for cars, or at least those capable of the speed limit. If there's a bike lane, great.. If not, the person hampering the flow of traffic is considered the inconsiderate one. Right or wrong, that's what it is.
It doesn't help when you see bikers weave through stopped traffic, cross against the light, or any other observable things to circumvent traffic laws. If you want to be treated like a car, act like one. When I ride down town, I sit and wait with traffic just like everyone else.
I have been living and bike commuting in North Charleston for 2.5 years now (mostly commuting along E & W Montague Ave) and I also bike downtown from time to time. I agree that the dominant attitude is that bikes are an inconvenience that preferably should stay off the road ("Use the sidewalk!"). Most locals just don't understand why anyone would want to ride a bicycle for transportation if you can afford a car. (Too sweaty, too slow, can't cross most local bridges, traffic is dangerous, etc.)
However, if you obey traffic laws and behave courteously toward other drivers, they will usually return the favor. I generally feel ok biking in downtown traffic, especially on the slower roads, but I also have my bike outfitted with flashing lights in every direction and have a loud air horn (AirZound) to get drivers' attention if needed. I feel less safe biking on more "suburban" roads away from the downtown core. I was actually hit by a pickup truck on West Montague Ave (near I-26) in North Charleston in July 2014 and had to have major wrist surgery and rehab (thankful to be alive!)... the driver simply wasn't paying enough attention. Other than that incident, I bike Montague daily and 99% of drivers are surprisingly courteous and patient; I've only been honked at a handful of times in 2.5 years, and many people give decent space when passing. I can't wait for bike lanes to be added though!
I have been advocating locally for more bike lanes ever since my collision with the truck last summer; progress has been slow but current leadership seems to support the idea. We'll see where things are in 5 years. Would love to see the West Ashley bridge (Legare bridge) bike lane conversion completed!
I have been living and bike commuting in North Charleston for 2.5 years now (mostly commuting along E & W Montague Ave) and I also bike downtown from time to time. I agree that the dominant attitude is that bikes are an inconvenience that preferably should stay off the road ("Use the sidewalk!"). Most locals just don't understand why anyone would want to ride a bicycle for transportation if you can afford a car. (Too sweaty, too slow, can't cross most local bridges, traffic is dangerous, etc.)
However, if you obey traffic laws and behave courteously toward other drivers, they will usually return the favor. I generally feel ok biking in downtown traffic, especially on the slower roads, but I also have my bike outfitted with flashing lights in every direction and have a loud air horn (AirZound) to get drivers' attention if needed. I feel less safe biking on more "suburban" roads away from the downtown core. I was actually hit by a pickup truck on West Montague Ave (near I-26) in North Charleston in July 2014 and had to have major wrist surgery and rehab (thankful to be alive!)... the driver simply wasn't paying enough attention. Other than that incident, I bike Montague daily and 99% of drivers are surprisingly courteous and patient; I've only been honked at a handful of times in 2.5 years, and many people give decent space when passing. I can't wait for bike lanes to be added though!
I have been advocating locally for more bike lanes ever since my collision with the truck last summer; progress has been slow but current leadership seems to support the idea. We'll see where things are in 5 years. Would love to see the West Ashley bridge (Legare bridge) bike lane conversion completed!
Are you a member of Charleston Moves? Superb organization!
I work downtown and I have one co-worker that commutes by bike from West Ashley. He rides a beach cruiser to work. I just ride for fun around Mt. P. There is no way I would ride on the roads in Mt. P. We ride on the sidewalks and stop at crosslights for the walk signal. Years ago I used to ride a lot on the country roads in MA. There is too much traffic around here for me to ride on the roads. Although I would ride the roads downtown because the traffic is slow.
I work downtown and I have one co-worker that commutes by bike from West Ashley. He rides a beach cruiser to work. I just ride for fun around Mt. P. There is no way I would ride on the roads in Mt. P. We ride on the sidewalks and stop at crosslights for the walk signal. Years ago I used to ride a lot on the country roads in MA. There is too much traffic around here for me to ride on the roads. Although I would ride the roads downtown because the traffic is slow.
I get nervous too...I stick to the frontage roads and our neighborhood here in Mt. P.
Do you ever ride in Hampton Park?
I get nervous too...I stick to the frontage roads and our neighborhood here in Mt. P.
Do you ever ride in Hampton Park?
I only ride around where we live because I don't have a bike rack o my car and it is very expensive to get one, even after market bike racks. My car is too small to put 2 bikes in. We can fit one, but usually have to tak a tire off to get the hatch to close.
I understand....Patriots Point is a pretty place to ride too. We bought a bike rack at Trek, Saris brand it cost about $150.00 I believe.
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I'm very thankful for the good work they do.
