Columbia, South Carolina – Working with the City of Columbia, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has placed buffered bicycle lanes along River Drive in a major step toward encouraging safe and sustainable transportation. Under a larger resurfacing project starting in February 2024, this one seeks to change a major route by including infrastructure meant specifically for bikes. With its vision of a more bike-friendly city with well-integrated active transportation choices, the project marks a significant turning point in the Walk Bike Columbia Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan for the city.
Columbia’s first venture with buffered bike lanes comes from the recently installed lanes between Main Street and Sunset Drive. Safety is first in design for these lanes; each one is buffered by a two-foot-wide striped zone, so separating the cars from the bikes.
Apart from the buffer, the traffic lanes themselves have been shortened to a width of 11 feet—a planned move meant to discourage speeding and create safer surroundings for all road users, regardless of their vehicle type—two wheels, two feet, four wheels. Importantly, the lane reconfiguration does not lower the number of vehicle lanes, therefore guaranteeing that both drivers and cyclists gain from better road design without appreciable effect on traffic flow.
The neighborhood has responded quite well overall. Councilwoman Herbert set up a public gathering in May for more than 80 community members as well as City of Columbia officials from SCDOT. The turnout showed a great community interest in increasing bike infrastructure, and local comments were mostly positive. Many speakers pointed out that, especially for those traveling shorter distances, buffered bike lanes would make riding a more appealing and safe choice. This initiative demonstrates Columbia’s dedication to multimodal transportation. It’s about building everyone a linked, easily accessible metropolis…