Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club

Due to the rainy weather, we are canceling the official Greenville Spinners SCTAC rides tonight. No official A, B or C group rides tonight (6/9). Please be careful if you ride on your own.

Send a message to learn more

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Join the Spinners and Bike Walk Greenville for our next community roll this Saturday! This route will highlight a number of new and upcoming safe streets projects in the City of Greenville, and during this roll we will discuss some local initiatives and projects that we are excited to support for better biking and walking in our community.

Get more information and register to reserve your spot at bit.ly/june6roll

With the statewide primary elections less than a week away on June 9th, the future of federal funding for local bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is on the ballot. To help you make an informed decision, the Greenville Spinners reached out to all five candidates running for U.S. Representative in South Carolina's 4th Congressional District. We asked them three questions regarding federal funding protection, local control over street design, and data-driven safety improvements.⁣
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Three of the five candidates responded. Below, you will find the three questions we asked, followed by their unedited responses presented in alphabetical order by last name. (The campaigns of Rep. William Timmons and Robert E. Lee did not respond to our inquiry).⁣
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝:⁣
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𝟏. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬: Active transportation networks like the Swamp Rabbit Trail are proven economic drivers in the Upstate and across the country. In light of recent federal actions to rescind or reduce funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, will you commit to protecting federal transportation grants that enable local investment in these types of projects?⁣
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𝟐. 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥: Local planners often rely on federal grants to implement data-driven, community-specific street designs. Recently, the Department of Transportation has decided to withhold federal funds from bike lane and trail projects, citing them as 'hostile' to cars. Do you believe the federal government should influence local street design decisions, or should communities retain the authority to design transportation networks that best serve their residents with federal support?⁣
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𝟑. 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Federal support for active transportation is closely tied to improving safety and reducing fatalities among vulnerable road users, while also expanding mobility options for all. In many parts of Greenville County, limited infrastructure forces residents to rely solely on personal vehicles. At a time when some federal programs supporting these efforts are being scaled back or reconsidered, how will you ensure that transportation policy prioritizes data-driven safety improvements and supports complete streets that expand safe transportation choices?⁣
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𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬:⁣
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⚫𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 (Republican running in the June 9th Primary)⁣
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𝐎𝐧 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬:⁣
Active transportation projects like the Swamp Rabbit Trail aren’t just recreational, they’re economic engines for the Upstate. They support small businesses, increase property values, and give families safe, healthy ways to move through their communities.⁣

I support protecting federal transportation grants that allow local communities to invest in these projects. Washington shouldn’t be in the business of pulling the rug out from under successful local models. When something is working in places like Greenville, we should be reinforcing it, not scaling it back.⁣
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At the same time, those dollars need to be spent responsibly. My focus will always be making sure funding is targeted where it actually improves safety, access, and local economic growth.⁣
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𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥:⁣
Local communities should lead when it comes to designing their own transportation networks. The people who live, work, and raise families here understand their needs far better than bureaucrats in Washington.⁣
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The federal government has a role, but it should be supportive, not directive. That means providing funding and resources while allowing communities like Greenville and Spartanburg to decide what works best for them.⁣
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We’ve already seen how successful that approach can be with the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It’s a locally driven project that became a regional asset. That’s the model I support, local leadership with federal support, not federal mandates that ignore how people actually live and move in the Upstate.⁣
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𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 & 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲:⁣
Safety has to be the starting point for any transportation policy. That means using real data to identify where accidents are happening and investing in solutions that actually reduce risk for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.⁣
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In parts of Greenville County, people don’t have options. They’re forced into cars because the infrastructure isn’t there. That’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a safety issue and an economic issue.⁣
I support a practical, data-driven approach to transportation that expands safe options where it makes sense, improves connectivity between communities, and respects how people in the Upstate actually live.⁣
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This isn’t about forcing one model everywhere. It’s about making smart investments that improve safety, strengthen local economies, and give communities more control over their own growth.⁣
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⚫𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 (Libertarian Party Nominee- advanced to November General Election)⁣
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𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:⁣
Thank you for reaching out! I believe I can answer all three questions in a single response:⁣
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I agree with the importance of networks like the Swamp Rabbit Trail, recognize their tremendous contribution to our economic development, and support further expansion of them. However, as we are quickly approaching a staggering $39 TRILLION dollars in national debt, I do not advocate for the use of federal funding for these types of initiatives. ⁣
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I believe local initiatives should be managed and funded at a local level. If elected, I would be happy to assist by utilizing all available networking resources to assist in the efforts to advance these initiatives by local and private means. ⁣
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If you or any of your members wish to speak about this further please let me know. ⁣
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⚫𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 (Democratic Party Nominee- advanced to November General Election)⁣
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𝐎𝐧 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬:⁣
Yes. We’ve seen firsthand in the Upstate how investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure can strengthen local economies, reduce traffic congestion, and create safer transportation options for families and commuters.⁣
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I support protecting and expanding federal transportation grants that help local governments invest in these projects. As our region continues to grow, we need a transportation strategy that keeps pace with that growth and gives residents more safe, reliable, and affordable ways to move around. That includes preserving federal funding streams for trails, sidewalks, greenways, complete streets, and multimodal infrastructure.⁣
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𝐎𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥:⁣
The federal government has an important role to play in providing funding and resources for infrastructure, but local governments and regional planners are the ones who best understand the specific transportation needs of their communities.⁣
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Communities should retain the authority to design transportation networks that reflect their local priorities, whether that includes roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, public transit, or other safety improvements. Local planners rely on data, public input, and long-term growth projections to make decisions that improve mobility, reduce congestion, and enhance safety for residents. Those decisions should not be overridden by broad political directives from Washington.⁣
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I support continued federal investment in transportation infrastructure, including bicycle and pedestrian projects, but I believe those funds should empower communities rather than dictate one-size-fits-all design policies. Local leaders, engineers, and residents should have the ability to shape transportation systems that best serve their region’s needs today and into the future.⁣
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𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 & 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲:⁣
Yes. Transportation policy should be guided by safety data, long-term planning, and the real needs of the communities we serve.⁣
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First, I support increasing federal funding for infrastructure that improves safety and mobility for everyone, including city bus riders, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Investments in sidewalks, safer intersections, bike lanes, trails, crosswalks, lighting, and traffic-calming measures are proven to reduce accidents and fatalities while helping ease traffic congestion. Complete streets policies that consider all users and not just vehicles, create safer, more connected communities and expand transportation options for families, seniors, students, and workers.⁣
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Second, I believe we must expand public transit coverage to underserved areas by partnering with employers, schools, healthcare providers, and local governments to improve connectivity between neighborhoods and essential services. Too many residents currently have limited transportation options, which can create barriers to employment, education, and healthcare access. Strategic investments in transit routes and regional mobility can strengthen economic opportunity and improve quality of life throughout the region.⁣
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Thank you to the candidates who took the time to share their vision for transportation with our community!⁣ You can check your specific polling place and view a sample ballot at scVOTES.gov.

🚧 Crosswalk Construction Has Begun 🚧

Construction is now underway on the new diagonal bicycle crossing at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 276) and Center Street/McElhaney Road in Travelers Rest.

⏳ Construction is expected to last approximately three weeks.

⚠️ During Construction:
• The intersection will be closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
• There will be no bicycle or pedestrian connection between the north and south ends of the Swamp Rabbit Trail at this intersection.
• Roadways will remain open, but drivers should expect delays.
• The North end of the Swamp Rabbit Trail is closed to bicycle and pedestrian traffic between mile marker 24.1 and 23.8 (from Center St to Henderson Dr). The trail is open north of Henderson Dr.

We’ll be sharing regular progress updates on our social media channels throughout the project. Be sure to follow along and download the Travelers Rest Connect app to receive notifications and important updates directly to your phone.

Thank you for your patience as we work to improve connectivity and safety in Travelers Rest!

Website Updates Here: https://travelersrestsc.com/what-to-know-crosswalk-construction-in-travelers-rest/

Download the App: https://travelersrestsc.com/travelers-rest-connect-app/
Bike Walk Greenville

Due to the thunderstorm forecast for this evening, we are canceling the official SCTAC rides for tonight. If you choose to ride, please stay safe. We're hoping for better weather for Thursday night's Spinners TT this week. Please plan to join us May 28, & watch for news here if the weather looks threatening. Official A, B, & C group rides are canceled tonight.