This year, Georgetown County celebrates a major milestone in active transportation and community planning—the 30th anniversary of Bike the Neck. What began as a small grassroots movement has become a beloved trail network spanning more than 20 miles, offering residents and visitors alike a safe, scenic way to explore the Waccamaw Neck by bike or on foot.

The idea for Bike the Neck was born in 1993 during a casual lunch between two friends.

"We had to drive two and a half miles, each of us in different directions. And we said, boy, we could have done this on bicycles. Instead, we've used gas, we've been out on the road," recalled Linda Ketron during a segment this month on Georgetown County's "First Friday" podcast.

That conversation quickly turned into action. By Valentine’s Day of 1994, the first official meeting was held to begin planning bike paths along the Waccamaw Neck. The effort was led by Ketron, who continues to champion the initiative.

Over the decades, their vision transformed the region. What started as a hope for a safer, healthier and more connected community has developed into a popular and widely used trail system.

“The trails are used by everyone—from commuters and families with kids to seasoned cyclists and tourists,” said Beth Goodale, Georgetown County's Director of Parks and Recreation. “It’s become part of the fabric of life here.”

While the original goal was to create safe, alternative transportation routes— especially for underserved communities including Parkersville, where many rely on bicycles as their primary mode of transportation—the project has also dramatically enhanced recreational opportunities. In fact, early planning was spurred in part by a desire to prevent further tragedies: several cyclists lost their lives on Highway 17 in the decade before the project launched.

Today, the trail extends over 20 miles, and while many gaps have been filled, the work continues. Volunteers and county leaders alike have their eyes on what’s next—though some of those ideas remain aspirational. One once-envisioned expansion involved creating a bicycle and pedestrian ferry to carry riders across the water to East Bay Park, complete with high schoolers pedaling rickshaws to ferry visitors into downtown Georgetown for shopping and dining. While the concept was submitted years ago as part of an ambitious grant proposal, it wasn’t funded. Still, the dream lives—an example of the creative vision that has fueled this project from the start.

  “That’s the thing about Bike the Neck—it’s not just about where we’ve gone, but where we hope to go,” Ketron said.

The trail’s continued popularity requires ongoing care. “We’re currently planning a major resurfacing project in the Huntington Beach and Litchfield areas,” Goodale noted. “Some sections have been around long enough that they’re starting to show their age.”

The county handles the majority of maintenance, but community involvement is still strong. Ketron laughed as she recalled still getting calls from residents reporting downed trees. “That tells me people care—and that’s a good thing.”

Bike the Neck is also a designated segment of the East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile trail-in-progress stretching from Maine to Florida. While the Greenway prefers more direct routes, Georgetown County’s section was designed with local needs in mind.

“Our route meanders because we want families and schoolchildren to feel safe using it,” said Ketron. “It’s not about speed—it’s about safety, access and community.”

The trail’s impact has inspired surrounding communities to create their own connected paths and events. Murrells Inlet and Plantersville, for example, now host popular rides that draw hundreds of participants annually. A parking area recently opened at the Murrells Inlet trailhead, and other additions are underway, including safety connectors and school route improvements in the Pawleys Island and Petigru areas.

“We’ve come a long way, but there’s more to do,” said Goodale. “From expanding to maintaining and improving what we have, the trail continues to grow—just like the vision that launched it.” 

After three decades, Bike the Neck remains one of Georgetown County’s most successful grassroots movements—one that has improved safety, enhanced recreation, and fostered a sense of place along the Waccamaw Neck. As Ketron puts it, “It’s about connection—between people, neighborhoods, and communities. And that’s a legacy we’ll keep building on.” 

Listen to the podcast about the history and future of Bike the Neck at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzea8o7Zh1U.