With roots dating back to 1993, Charleston Moves has been your advocate for safe streets. Over the years, our name changed, and our mission and programs expanded. We are proud to look back at our multitude of successful campaigns that brought the organization to where it is today, and we are confident and energized for a bright future.
Our History
In 1993, engaged citizens formed the Charleston Bicycle Advocacy Group (CBAG), which sought to elevate support for bicyclists in and around Charleston. The group campaigned for and successfully achieved bicycle lanes on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, despite opposition from the Department of Transportation. CBAG lobbied successfully for bicycle racks on buses, for improved cycling access to the Isle of Palms and served on the regional transportation board, voting for sidewalk improvements (especially near schools) and miles of bike paths near county parks.
In the early 2000s, CBAG’s lobbying efforts for bike and pedestrian access on the newly-proposed Ravenel Bridge met fierce opposition from the South Carolina Department of Transportation, but it also attracted wide support from high-profile individuals and institutions. Building a groundswell of support for the additional lane, the final bridge plan included a 12-foot wide bicycle and pedestrian path. It also helped shift the focus for CBAG, which changed its name to Charleston Moves in 2005, in recognition of a broader mission: to promote active modes of transportation such as biking and walking, and taking the bus.
In 2009, Charleston Moves launched the Battery2Beach Route initiative, working with multiple government agencies on a vision of 32 miles of continuous bike and pedestrian lanes connecting major beaches in the Charleston area with the iconic Battery at the foot of the Charleston peninsula. Approximately 40% of the route is complete, with more segments in the works.
Charleston Moves hired its first paid full-time director in 2014, with a second paid staff member a year later. An ambitious annual calendar of local events seeks to help diversify the demographics of our organization and our advocates, and raise the bar in fundraising efforts.