Walking and biking in South Carolina can be hazardous for your health. According to a report by National Center for Bicycling and Walking, South Carolina does not routinely build roads to be bicycle or pedestrian friendly. In the metropolitan statistical area of Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson, the average yearly spending per person on pedestrian and bicycle facilities and safety is $.02. (Mean Streets 2002) Yet, the lack of opportunities and infrastructure for "active transportation" such as walking and bicycling carries many negative implications on the health of South Carolinians. According to the CDC, 61% of all South Carolina adults are overweight or obese and the rate of obesity rose by 90% from 1990 to 2002. This contributes significantly to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and many other health disorders, not to mention the rise in related medical costs.
Walking for Exercise and Pleasure
People walk for many reasons but nearly everyone who does, walks at least in part because of a conviction that it is good exercise. Walking one mile in 15 minutes burns about the same amount of calories as does jogging the same distance in 8.5 minutes. Walking, like other forms of exercise, has other benefits: elevated metabolism above normal for a period of time after exercise, feeling better, sleeping better, and an improved mental outlook.
Some of the great things about walking are that almost anyone can do it, it can be done almost anywhere, it does not cost anything, and it poses few health risks.
Thanks to the many pedestrian-friendly advocacy groups in South Carolina, state and local governments are being educated on the benefits of building "active-living" environments that include mixed-use communities and sidewalk ordinances. Spartanburg kids are also enjoying the benefits of walking with Walk to School Day and local Safe Routes to School Programs.
Bicycling in South Carolina
According to America Bikes, there is an estimated 481,441 adults that ride a bike at least once a month in the summertime in South Carolina. Even though South Carolina is not known to be bicycle friendly, it does have some great organized and impromptu rides. Spartanburg is the home and starting place of the Assault on Mt. Mitchell, an annual one-day bicycle ride that takes 1000 riders to the top of Mt. Mitchell, NC. Besides Mitchell, there are many other rides in South Carolina sponsored by local bike clubs. Most of the clubs have organized rides and somewhat impromptu weekly rides that encompass all riding categories, from beginners to racers. To see some of the local rides go to http://www.freewheelers.info/FWroutes.html.
According to LINK, statistics from 2001 rate South Carolina as second in the country for the number of biking deaths per capita. There is definitely a need for safe places to ride and much can be done by installing bike lanes, widening shoulders and educating the public on the etiquette of driving around bike riders.
South Carolina is making progress towards becoming more bicycle-friendly. In 2003, 96,441 linear feet of bike lanes were installed on the roadways. Change is happening, thanks to the many advocacy groups in South Carolina that promote pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly environments.
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