Charleston Moves urges action after local data show hundreds of serious crashes; promotes Mobility Month events

Morgan Huey, board chair of the nonprofit Charleston Moves, told the City of Charleston Health and Wellness Advisory Committee on May 6 that the city’s recent crash data show a persistent threat to people on foot and bicycles and that community events this month aim to build support for change. "Walking is the most common form of physical activity across all populations," Huey said, adding that safety concerns are a major barrier to people choosing active transportation.

Huey said the City of Charleston recorded more than 100 fatal and roughly 450 serious-injury crashes between 2018 and 2023 and that about 30% of those incidents involved non-motorists. She said those figures, along with racial and geographic disparities in who is harmed, motivate the local push for safer intersections and street treatments. "We have some key corridors that have most of these crashes," Huey told committee members, arguing for targeted engineering, enforcement and education.

The presentation highlighted near-term, community-facing activities for Mobility Month, including a community bike ride from White Point Gardens to Washington Square on National Bike to Work Day (May 15), a rider procession with the mayor and some city council members, and a separate Ride of Silence memorial that will be downtown and police-escorted. Huey described pedestrian scrambles at busy intersections as one practical change the city is pursuing so people can cross in all directions without conflicting car traffic.

Committee members praised the partnership between Charleston Moves and city staff. Councilman Shealy encouraged public participation in the free events and noted the city will issue a mobility proclamation. Huey also pointed to longer-term projects such as the Ashley River Crossing and low-country rapid transit as opportunities to reduce car dependence.

Why it matters: Pedestrian and bicyclist safety affects public health, transportation access and equity. Local advocates say engineering changes and public engagement are needed to reduce injuries and fatalities and to ensure that active-transportation benefits reach neighborhoods most affected.

What's next: Huey encouraged residents to register for events and join Charleston Moves’ newsletter; the committee did not take formal action but received the presentation and discussed outreach plans.