This might belong in another forum, so let me know if that's the case, but I wanted to start here.

My company has offered me an opportunity to relocate to Charleston WV for a 3 1/2 year project. I'd be working in the heart of the city, and I would like to know if anyone out there has any insight (good or bad) into the commuting by bicycle in the city of Charleston WV?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

ZManT

I've only visited the city and it looks pretty hilly. Get ready to use your granny gear.

Also, driving into it, I was a little disturbed that most of the highways didn't have shoulders (!). I could be wrong, but there may be only one 4 lane highway in that whole state. I drove up from DC.

Just went through WV over the summer for vacation to PA, deffinately the hilliest place I have ever seen coming from FL.

I was just in Charleston yesterday on business and went downtown to find a book store.

As a daily commuter I am always looking at other cities for bike lanes, racks, commuter friendly amenities.

No bike lanes, no bike racks downtown that I saw, didn't see many people on bikes but it was the middle of the afternoon. I did not see the areas around the campus either except for one road off of the highway going to WV. No bike lane.

But, they were some of the politest drivers I have ever encountered. Downtown is flat, and I saw a nice path on the river, but I don't know if extends far enough to be of use.

I was there once for a motorcycle rally, and thought the hills were challenging then. Hope you like hills!

Two major roads I-64 and Route 60, wouldn't want to commute on either. Doable if you live downtown, bot if you live outside of town. By the river it's fairly flat. WV drivers are not used to bikes, check your route carefully. I live in Huntington, know one good route to downtown there, might check with a local shop in Charleston about routes.

-- Andrew