Columbia, South Carolina – Spring is bringing a new reason to move through Columbia on two wheels.
The City of Columbia, together with the League of American Bicyclists, is inviting residents across the Midlands to take part in National Bike Month throughout May. The celebration also includes Bike to Work Week from May 11 through May 17, with Bike to Work Day set for Friday, May 15.
The message is simple: ride more, ride safely and see the city from a different angle. Whether someone is biking to the office, taking a short neighborhood ride, using a bike for errands or simply looking for a healthier way to enjoy the season, May offers a timely push to begin.
The city is encouraging residents to explore ways to participate by visiting https://www.columbiacompass.org/celebratemay.html, where more information is available about National Bike Month activities throughout the Midlands.
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For anyone thinking about biking to work or riding for fun, preparation matters. The city recommends having a bicycle checked by a local bike shop before getting started. Riders are also encouraged to plan their routes ahead of time, using bike lanes, greenways and less-busy streets whenever possible.
Safety remains a major part of the campaign. Cyclists should always wear a helmet, follow stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings, and stay visible by wearing bright clothing and signaling turns. Riders should also look carefully before changing lanes or turning, make their intentions clear and move predictably in traffic.
The city also reminds residents that, in South Carolina, bicyclists may ride on sidewalks or in the street. However, if a dedicated bike lane is available and a cyclist is riding in the roadway, the bike lane must be used. In Columbia, local ordinance does not allow bicyclists on sidewalks within the area bounded by Assembly, Gervais, Sumter and Elmwood.
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National Bike Month also connects to Columbia’s longer effort to improve how people walk and bike across the city. In 2015, City Council adopted Walk Bike Columbia, the city’s bicycle and pedestrian master plan.
More information about Columbia’s bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts is available at https://www.columbiacompass.org/walk-bike-columbia.html and https://planninganddevelopment.columbiasc.gov/master-plan/. Residents who want transportation planning updates from the city can sign up at https://forms.columbiasc.gov/243375701335858.
