The East Coast Greenway is a trail system designed to connect major cities from Canada to Key West, not unlike the Kings Highway that once connected the colonial Eastern Seaboard from Boston to Charleston. The BPSC committee has networked with county planners, regional planners, the East Coast Greenway association and the Palmetto Cycling Coalition to learn and integrate its work into that of other bicycle organizations. Locals recognize that the community has always been a recreational haven for walkers, runners and bicyclists, but the focused effort was to enhance both safety and connectivity.
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Recently, BPSC submitted an application to become a bicycle friendly community.
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Since its establishment, the committee set goals to become both a bike friendly and walk friendly community. The Myrtle Beach City Council established the Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Committee (BPSC) in 2014 to advise on issues related to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, safety and education. In 2015, South Carolina ranked 44th among all states as bicycle friendly. Hilton Head Island remains the single Gold Bicycle Friendly Community in the state with its 100 miles of paved pathways, but Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Rock Hill and Spartanburg are well on their way with bronze titles. Six cities have achieved a bronze level or better, while Coastal Carolina University has earned the “Bicycle Friendly University” bronze title for its network of bicycle lanes. South Carolina communities are racing to earn The League of American Bicyclists’ “Bicycle Friendly Community” designation. The approval by voters for RIDE 3 could mean additional connectivity and safety for pedestrians and cyclists throughout Horry County in new ways that connect commercial sectors, existing trails systems and area attractions. Communities throughout the Grand Strand asked for dedicated space along traffic lanes for recreational activities. The November 8 ballot will include the RIDE 3 referendum and voters will decide on the merits of 15 countywide RIDE 3 road projects in exchange for a self-imposed 1 percent sales tax. Horry County’s RIDE 3 adds a mix of dedicated multi-path, pedestrian and bicycle facilities in a number of RIDE projects. For the first time since these road improvement plans were introduced, dedicated bicycle lanes, multi-purpose paths and sidewalks have been included. The difference between this plan and previous RIDE programs is that this one is bicycle friendly. Read the entire question as it appears on the ballot: 2016-ride3-ballot-question.Come November, Horry County residents will have the opportunity to vote for the third RIDE (Road Improvement and Development Effort) plan, this time called RIDE 3. Learn more here, including a map and complete list of Ride 3 projects.
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The eight year projection revenues from the 1% Sales Tax is $592 million.” The sales tax would remain in effect for eight years or April 30, 2025. Groceries (unprepared food) would be exempt from the sales tax. “If passed by the voters, the sales tax will go into effect and will be a 1% Sales Tax on all retail sales, prepared food/beverage and accommodations. While the Horry County Democratic Party does not have an official position on the referendum, HCDP Chair Bennie Swans recently appeared with his Republican counterpart Robert Rabon on WPDE-TV Carolina This Week with Tim McGinnis, where each voiced his personal support for Ride 3. Bennie pointed to Hurricane Matthew as highlighting more than ever the need for upgraded and additional highway infrastructure.Īccording to the Horry County Council website: “Ride” stands for Road Improvement Development Effort. The program, known as Ride 3, is essentially an extension of the “Ride on a Penny” sales tax used to fund previous roads projects under Ride 1 (2007-2014) and Ride 2 (ended 2015). A referendum on the November 8 ballot asks Horry County voters to approve (vote yes) or disapprove (vote no) a one-percent sales tax to fund road improvements within the county for the next eight years.