Every month, the Post and Courier of Charleston, South Carolina gives its Golden Pen award. The most recent recipient won for a letter on a topic that's too often ignored or reported in an uninformed way.
Rebecca Vaughn of nearby Mount Pleasant and her husband are committed to depending entirely on their bicycles for transportation at least one day every week. They are able to get around safely, she says, because of an established network of bike lanes in the town. Once they venture out of their hometown, however, "the lack of safe spaces, particularly along the Highway 17 and 61 corridors is evident," she wrote.
In her letter, she also notes that there is no safe way to cross the Ashley River by bicycle. That is particularly frustrating, she writes, because in West Ashley, on the other side of the river, there are bike lanes that make it possible to navigate much of the town on two wheels.
In her letter, she noted that a bike-and-pedestrian bridge over the Ashley River would allow cyclists like herself and her husband to cycle from their homes, through downtown Charleston and into West Ashley and beyond. This linkage would provide community benefits and help "unlock a piece of the puzzle that will allow residents and visitors to enjoy a safe transportation choice," she wrote. She concluded by urging her senators--Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott--to lead the effort to secure the necessary federal funds.
As part of the Golden Pen award, Ms. Vaughn will be invited to a luncheon with the Post and Courier editorial staff. I assume she will ride to it.
Rebecca Vaughn of nearby Mount Pleasant and her husband are committed to depending entirely on their bicycles for transportation at least one day every week. They are able to get around safely, she says, because of an established network of bike lanes in the town. Once they venture out of their hometown, however, "the lack of safe spaces, particularly along the Highway 17 and 61 corridors is evident," she wrote.
In her letter, she also notes that there is no safe way to cross the Ashley River by bicycle. That is particularly frustrating, she writes, because in West Ashley, on the other side of the river, there are bike lanes that make it possible to navigate much of the town on two wheels.
In her letter, she noted that a bike-and-pedestrian bridge over the Ashley River would allow cyclists like herself and her husband to cycle from their homes, through downtown Charleston and into West Ashley and beyond. This linkage would provide community benefits and help "unlock a piece of the puzzle that will allow residents and visitors to enjoy a safe transportation choice," she wrote. She concluded by urging her senators--Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott--to lead the effort to secure the necessary federal funds.
As part of the Golden Pen award, Ms. Vaughn will be invited to a luncheon with the Post and Courier editorial staff. I assume she will ride to it.
