CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- Signs have gone up on the James Island Connector, advising bicycle riders and pedestrians they are not allowed to cross the bridge.
It's all about safety. Officials with the Charleston Police Department say they don't currently plan to issue citations for offenders.
Instead, according to Lt. Chip Searson with the Charleston Police Department, officers will issue educational material to bikers and pedestrians, informing them of the dangers of biking or walking across the bridge.
"If there is enforcement of these signs, I intend to represent cyclists if anybody gets a ticket," stated Peter Wilborn, whos is behind the group, South Caroina Bike Law.
Wilborn opposes the signs.
"Everyone knows that there needs to be heck of a lot more attention to people who ride their bikes around. We need better infrastructure. We need better places to ride. We hope something positive comes out of this," stated Wilborn.
The placed comes after a an accident in which a bicyclist was struck and killed last summer. In that accident, 54-year-old Dr. Mitchell Hollon was hit by a van and thrown to the marsh below.
Hollon's death sparked debate among drivers and cycling advocates in the Lowcountry, which ended with the City of Charleston's admission in November that it is indeed illegal to bike across the connector and that the city had not been enforcing the law.
"We had known that this was coming and sort have dreaded the time but had been working to see if we can find an alternative to it," stated Tom Bradford, the director of Charleston Moves, a bicycle group.
Bradford fears the signs will force cyclists to travel to and from James Island to take a much more dangerous alternative.
"We are fearful, frankly, that if byclists to avoid taking the connector and the the alternatives which is Folly Road or the Wappoo Bridge that this will be far less safe than using the connector," stated Bradford.
In a statement, city officials said quote: "The City of Charleston is working with SCDOT to place the proper signage on the James Island Connector informing the public that cyclists and pedestrians are not allowed by state law. Once the signs are in place, we will begin an educational process to inform the public about this state requirement regarding the prohibition of bicycles and pedestrians on the James Island Connector. After the education process is completed, we will begin to enforce the law if necessary."
