The growth from the first city bike lane in 2005 to the plans for repaving including new bike facilities in 2024 is impressive. One mile to over fifty-seven miles in 19 years.
By documenting this dramatic increase in miles of on-street bike facilities we can celebrate the city of Greenville’s commitment to active transportation.
In September 2023 Calin Owens the City Mobility Coordinator provided an update to City Council that included this slide:
Seventeen miles of trails means the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail as well as the multi-use paths adjacent to city streets such as Verdae Boulevard.
36 + miles of “on-street bike facilities” mean bike lanes, shared use markings where the street geometry prevents a full bike lane and signed on street bike routes such as the Laurens Road bypass.
City residents have seen an increase in green paint on our streets in the past few years, starting with Cleveland Street in December 2020.
The multi-use paths along Verdae Boulevard, South Hudson Street, and Willard Street are examples of major investments in safe biking and walking infrastructure.
July 2022
By the end of 2024 when the repaving projects are completed twenty-two percent of city street will have bicycle facilities.
Conclusion
Our companion blog post Two Decades of Advocacy gives credit to the citizen volunteers that have made this change possible and also credits the four city staff members that have implemented the projects.
The Mayor and the City Council members that have provided funding for the bike projects are ultimately the people we must thank the most for this dramatic growth.