[September 25, 2023]
We are very saddened to share that, on September 14, 2023, Leonard (Lenny) Greene passed away. Lenny was a co-founder of Charleston Moves, originally Charleston Bicycle Advocacy Group. When the team was considering the organizational name change, Lenny was adamant about using a name that was clear, fun, impactful, and incorporated the shift to a broader mobility focus.
Lenny founded Orbital Engineering, and among his many interests, he was an avid cyclist. As longtime advocate and friend Charles Fox writes:
In the world of engineering, which seems to be black or white … Lenny was a thinker, creator, and pioneer. As a bicycle buddy … [h]is very unique perspective on many rides added enjoyment and tremendous pleasure to all that were in his gravitational pull … [H]e reached to understand, appreciate, and find a common connection, no matter who you are, what you did or didn’t do, or how you dressed … If not for Lenny’s unique vision and professional skills the bicycle – pedestrian path over the Cooper River may have only been a thought. When other engineers said the addition of the path could NOT be structurally added, he proved it was absolutely possible.
Charleston Moves co-founder Don Sparks remembers Lenny as modest and unassuming. He reminds us that:
He never would acknowledge due credit and it is safe to say that the bike ped lane on the [Ravenel] bridge would not have happened without his creative involvement … Lenny and I took turns serving on the CHATS enhancement committee* and we helped steer thousands of dollars into infrastructure improvements in the region. His wisdom, calm demeanor and relentless pursuit of bettering his community was unparalleled. And, he had a great sense of humor especially when it was needed…
Lenny continued to support Charleston Moves throughout the years, and we were always grateful for his contributions and conversation as we traveled to and from Columbia together for meetings.
Charleston has lost a visionary leader who has contributed greatly in the pursuit of a safe and healthy community. We are honored to have known him, and our thoughts are with his loved ones. Charleston Moves will forever owe a debt of gratitude to Lenny Greene.
https://obits.postandcourier.
*The Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) is the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester region’s entity responsible for carrying out the urban transportation planning process.
