Carfreegvl

08/18/2025

The U.S. DOT is asking for public input on the next big transportation bill that will shape funding and policy through 2031. Join us in telling Secretary Duffy that safer roads for all road users should be a federal priority, and add your own personal insights to make your voice heard.

Comments are due by August 20th. Find the League's tips on what to submit in our latest blog → https://bikeleague.org/the-u-s-department-of-transportation-wants-to-hear-from-you/

05/29/2025

Imagine Main Street redesigned for everyone. Beyond the vibrant street life and open space, the true beauty of a car-free Main Street lies in its radical inclusivity. Every time we propose reimagining downtown for people, we hear concerns that it will "hurt" those with mobility issues. But let's look at the facts.

Fact: Many people with disabilities don't drive and rely on walking, rolling (think wheelchairs, scooters), or public transit. For them, wide, smooth, obstacle-free paths are a lifeline, not a luxury. Our current car-dominated streets are often barriers, not enablers.

Fact: Elderly individuals and people with mobility challenges are statistically at much higher risk of injury or fatality from vehicle traffic. This is especially concerning in a state like South Carolina and Greenville county, which are among the highest in the nation for pedestrian fatality rates. Removing cars directly makes our streets safer for those most vulnerable to collisions.

A truly well-designed, car-free space like the vision for Main Street seen here, actually enhances accessibility for all:

Wider, Smoother Paths: More space for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and comfortable side-by-side strolling without fear of traffic.

Better Seating & Rest Areas: Thoughtfully placed benches allow for comfortable breaks, making longer distances manageable.

Reduced Noise & Pollution: A calmer environment that is easier to navigate and more enjoyable for everyone.

Prioritized "Rollability": Just as important as walkability, ensuring seamless transitions, clear pathways, and no unexpected curbs.

This isn't about limiting access; it's about transforming our public spaces into truly equitable environments where everyone, regardless of mobility, can experience the joy and vibrancy of downtown.

What do you think? How would a more accessible, car-free Main Street benefit you or someone you know?

05/23/2025

I just started experimenting with Google's new Flow and Veo 2 video tools to (you guessed it) generate more car-free Main Street content. Flow's only doing horizontal video for now (not great for Insta) and I can't use my own images as keyframes yet – but it looks like a very promising tool for visualization!

But honestly, who cares about tech when these visions of a pedestrianized Main Street might actually be getting closer to reality! Just last week, City Manager Shannon Lavrin announced an 'Open Streets' pilot for a section of Main Street. Check out the May 12th City Council Work Session video on YouTube (around the 42-minute mark) for details.

The pilot traffic closures, between North Street and Court Street, will run Saturdays at 1 PM to Sundays at 6:30 AM, starting TOMORROW, May 24th, through July 5th!

Sadly, I'll be out of town for this first event, but I plan to be there as much as I can this summer to show my support. As you might expect, there is concern from some Main Street businesses, but studies consistently show that pedestrianizing downtowns boosts the local economy. Cars don't spend money, people do! A vibrant, walkable downtown truly benefits everyone.

Huge thanks to City Manager Lavrin, Mayor White, City Council, and everyone in Greenville making this pilot happen. Now it's our turn to show them that this was a great decision, and hopefully, the first step toward a permanently car-free Main Street!

04/28/2025

Playing with OpenAI's Sora for the first time, and the first vision that popped into my head? A car-free Main Street, of course! 🚶‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚎🌳 

While I enjoy using AI tools to reimagine different parts of town, I truly believe that making Main Street car-free is a necessity for Greenville's future. It's the key to unlocking even greater livability and a truly people-first downtown. This account might be for AI fun, but the dream of a car-free Main? That's 100% serious. 

Do you agree that at least some of Main Street should be permanently closed to motor vehicles?

03/26/2025

Work is almost underway on the Church Street Bridge, and the redesigned road will include a 9 foot sidewalk with a rail. Definitely a major improvement, but in one of the most dangerous states in the nation for pedestrians - a state where nearly 200 pedestrians and bicyclists were killed in 2024 - is a wider sidewalk enough? Cities across the country are making attempts to undo the damage caused by outdated elevated urban freeways, so wouldn’t it be much better for our downtown to completely reimagine this relic of 1950s car culture?

I know I have shared this concept before, but the previous attempt was a pretty rough photoshop job. The recent news stories about the project prompted me to give this idea another shot. What if we built an elevated green space, a linear park for people, inspired by places like the High Line in Manhattan? These updated images show what could be, so what do you think? Should Greenville start taking bold steps to reduce car dependency and prioritize people over cars in our downtown?

01/13/2025

The League of American Bicyclists released its Bicycle Friendly State rankings in December, and unfortunately—but not surprisingly—South Carolina ranked 47th out of 50 states. According to the report:

“South Carolina has a bicyclist fatality rate worse than the national average. In the last five years, more than 80% of bicyclist fatalities occurred on state-owned arterial roadways according to NHTSA data.”

Cycling deaths have increased nationwide in recent years, with state roads being disproportionately the most dangerous (https://data.bikeleague.org/nhtsa-data-bonus-roadway-ownership-data-shows-state-owned-roads-have-increasing-share-of-traffic-deaths/). While most state governments manage less than 20% of their roads, South Carolina controls well over 60%.

The League of American Bicyclists further reports:

“Over the last five years, 17% of traffic fatalities in South Carolina have been people biking or walking, and funding should reflect the need to invest in their safety.”

To address this, they recommend dedicating at least 2% of federal transportation funds to biking and walking infrastructure and adopting a safe passing law that requires a minimum of 3 feet between vehicles and bicyclists.

Although official NHTSA statistics for 2024 aren’t available yet, it’s clear that Greenville County saw a record number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths—most occurring on SCDOT-managed roads. According to the PCC, historically 93% of pedestrian and 95% of bike fatalities occur on state owned roads (https://pccsc.net/data-statistics/), and that percentage remains consistent as we see increases in both. This underscores the urgent need to focus advocacy on state-level policies and safety improvements on SCDOT roads within the city and county.

While both the city and county are making progress—with promising infrastructure projects like new protected bike lanes downtown planned for 2025—the sharp rise in fatalities will continue without bold action. Beyond the League's recommendations, I believe South Carolina must finally pass a tough statewide hands-free law to address the epidemic of distracted driving.

The latest hands-free bills pre-filed in the SC House and Senate by Rep. Bill Taylor, Rep. Thomas Pope, and Senator Tom Young have strong public support. We must do everything possible to ensure these bills aren’t quietly tabled like previous hands-free legislation.

01/03/2025

Thanks to .allain for this fantastic idea. She commented on a previous post, “I want the square in front of M. Judson’s to become a square again. With tables and chairs and no cars driving through.”

Did you know Court Square was once the heart of Greenville? A Greenville Journal article on its history (link: https://greenvillejournal.com/history/glimpses-of-greenville-a-look-at-court-square-in-the-1820s/) explains that this spot was laid out in 1797 by Lemuel Alston as the historic center of the village.

Today, it remains a charming part of Main Street, but imagine how much better it could be without cars. Picture yourself strolling through a bustling, car-free public square, kids playing safely, a fountain in the center, and tables and benches filled with people enjoying food and conversation—all without the noise and danger of automotive traffic.

Court Square is beautiful, but we have the opportunity to make it extraordinary by prioritizing people over cars. Let’s reimagine this historic space as a true gathering place for our community.

What do you think? Should Court Square become car-free?

11/17/2024

Today is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

2024 has been a devastating year for pedestrian and cyclist deaths on Greenville County roads, with well over 20 lives lost so far (the number is likely closer to 25, though I’ve lost track of the exact count). Each of these deaths is a tragedy, leaving behind grieving families and communities. These losses aren’t just numbers—they highlight preventable failures in how we design and manage our transportation system.

This global day is a moment to honor those we've lost and demand meaningful action. Safer streets are possible through thoughtful design that prioritizes people over cars. Together, we can advocate for a Greenville where walking, biking, and transit are safe, accessible, and viable options for everyone.

11/08/2024

It’s ! I love that hosts this challenge each year (with great prizes!), and I hope you’ll pledge to go for at least one full week this month.🚶🚲🚌

Instead of driving alone, try hopping on a Greenlink bus, carpooling with a friend, or biking through our beautiful streets. Not only will this reduce traffic and create more vibrant, livable streets, but it will also cut down on emissions, making Greenville cleaner and greener. 🌱

Take the pledge today, and let’s make Greenville a city that prioritizes people over cars!

Copy and paste below, or visit the link in bio to participate.

https://connect.personify.app/widget/form/oVWwOGyHpcvX6luCnWl2

11/01/2024

Join the Greenville Spinners/Bike Walk Greenville Community Ride to the Greenville Bicycle Film Festival on Sunday. Leaving from Pangea Brewing in Unity Park at 12:00 pm, with a stop to pick up a group at the the Greenville Zoo (shelter 29 near the trail) at 12:30. You can join either group.

See the route at:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48580371?fbclid=PAY2xjawGTfYtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpr4T4OGofBhpaJHU3UFFLmccZVVAQd6h2Jhio54zRrK2Pdaa07uxZnHhag_aem_tVNaPUX5W3fu2FynVUOfZw

We can’t wait for Sunday - join us for a community ride at noon leaving from Pangaea brewing (bit.ly/bffride24), ending at the Peace Center where you can park at the bike valet and grab a refreshment before the 2pm show of Hard Miles! Special guests will take the stage between showtimes, with selected shorts showing at 5:15.

If you want to help at the bike valet, we could still use a couple hands:
Bit.ly/bffvalet24

10/28/2024

Exactly! To quote the new Bike Walk Greenville t-shirts, "you get what you pave for."

➡️ If you make roads for automobiles, you will have automobiles. 🤷‍♀️

10/23/2024

I talk a lot about pedestrianizing Main Street, but what other downtown streets should be transformed into permanent car-free zones? One that often comes to mind for me is Brown Street. With its welcoming metal arches, this street has the potential to be a vibrant space where people can walk, dine, and play safely—away from cars. 🚶‍♂️🍽️🌿

Imagine Brown Street reimagined as a lively public space, free from the dangers of automobile traffic. What streets would you like to see car-free in downtown Greenville? Let me know in the comments!