Fatal bicycle accident emphasizes Charleston's need for improved bicycle safety

Image by Flickr user richardmasoner

Dr. Mitchell Hollon's tragic death on Tuesday, July 5th, has made Charleston citizens and authorities sit up and realize that there is a real need for enhanced bicycle safety in our fair city.

South Carolina has the most bike fatalities annually over any other of our nation's states, so it's fairly apparent that some improvements need to be made.

Mayor Joe Riley responded to the accident by writing a letter to SC's Department of Transportation requesting officials to look into any improvements that could be made to better protect bicyclists and other recreational travelers on the James Island Connector (where the accident took place).

Riley has also been working on a plan that would transform one of the inbound lanes of the Ashley River bridges into a cyclists- and walkers-only lane; the study focusing on this plan is projected to be completed by early next week.

Get more information about action that the city is taking over at Live5News.com's report here, and check out The Post and Courier's in-depth, emotional story honoring the late doctor.

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