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By Leon G. Russ
HOMETOWN NEWS
Under grey overcast skies on Friday, May 15, a gaggle of Upstate politicians wound their way from the Spartanburg County Administration Building’s parking lot down Magnolia Street and into Morgan Square as part of Partners for Active Living’s “Pedal with your Politician” event marking both Bike to Work Day and Spartanburg’s designation as a “Bicycle-Friendly Community” by the League of American Bicyclists.
The riders trekked along the new Magnolia Street bike lanes that were recently installed by the City of Spartanburg and funded by the Mary Black Foundation in partnership with the Preservation Trust of Spartanburg.
As city, county, and state representatives disembarked in Morgan Square they were treated to fruit and coffee. Following this quick refreshment break they did what comes naturally, they stepped to the podium to speak about the event.
Spartanburg County Council Chairman Jeff Horton noted over the last four years the number of miles of bike paths in Spartanburg County has quadrupled and the number of bicycle parking spaces has increased fivefold.
These efforts to make Spartanburg bicycle friendly, he said, “have gained state-wide recognition for Spartanburg.”
Horton also noted the improvements for bicycling that led to the “Bicycle-Friendly Community” designation has had the added benefit of improving bicycle safety and the health of the county’s citizens.
Spartanburg Mayor Bill Barnet stated he and the city council members were “delighted to be a part of this” event and explained the event was important because “we need to stand up and speak out on living a healthy lifestyle.”
He urged those in attendance to not be a part of the large group of naysayers that can always be found but to “get behind people with dreams and ambitions” for our area.
He made a special acknowledgement of Partners for Active Living’s Jean Crow who has been a vital cog in aiding the area being designated a “Bicycle-Friendly Community” and noted she will soon be leaving to attend Clemson University.
A special presentation was made to Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Senior Vice President and CEO Randall Nyp as recognition for their contributions to Bike Month 2009.
Nyp received an autographed jersey with all the winner’s signatures from the recent bicycle race held in downtown Spartanburg.
He addressed those gathered and said, “we’re very proud to be a part of this. Our community is setting an example for the entire country.”
Nyp went on to note “we know the number one health problem in this nation is a sedentary lifestyle that leads to medical problems.” Bicycling is one way to end that sedentary lifestyle and improve your health.
Other elected representatives who participated in the ride included Spartanburg City Council members Linda Dogan, Robert Reeder and Joe Spigner, Spartanburg County Councilmen Michael Brown and O’Neal Mintz, state senator Shane Martin, and state representatives Derham Cole and Harold Mitchell.
lruss@hometown-news.com
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