Staff Writer

gjohnson@theeasleyprogress.com

EASLEY - The City Council committee on bicycling is meeting at 8 a.m. today, Friday.

Held at City Hall in Council Chambers, the initial meeting is designed for committee members to get to know each other, exchange ideas and establish goals, said committee chairman Councilman Chris Mann.

The committee was designated by Mayor Larry Bagwell in August in response to resident input about Easley becoming a Bicycle Friendly city.

The Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is a free program that recognizes municipalities that actively support bicycling, according to www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.

A Bicycle-Friendly Community provides safe accommodations for cycling and encourages residents to bike for transportation and recreation.

The League of American Bicyclists administers the Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign, the site said.

The LAB provided Mann with a book detailing the steps of becoming such a community.

"They sent a book telling about the program, educating the community, having trails, bicycle lanes..." Mann said.

Part of the committee's commission is to decide to what degree Easley will participate.

"How far do we want to go?" Mann said. "I'm welcoming feedback from everyone on the committee and out in the community."

The committee is made up of council members Mann, Brian Garrison and Dave Watson, joined by four mayor-appointed citizens Christine de Vlaming, Tresh Crosby, Patrick Gramblin and the Rev. John Adams.

Palmetto cycling coalition has been invited to participate in the discussions, Mann said.

For more information or to weigh in on the subject, call City Hall at 855-7900, visit cityofeasely.net or send e-mail to Chris Mann at cmann@cityofeasley.com.