As the year winds down, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our favorite feel-good stories of 2025. For anyone battling the December chill, this one comes with a burst of island sunshine! In this guest post, Andy Clarke, the longtime leader of the League, introduces Frank Babel: a “super volunteer” whose decades of dedication to making biking safer and more accessible have made a huge splash on Hilton Head Island. Get ready to shake off the winter blues and settle in for this heart-warming read.
Town of Hilton Head Honors Super Volunteer, Frank Babel by Andy Clarke
Frank Babel has helped put Hilton Head Island (HHI) on the map for biking – it is one of just three Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Communities in the Southeast, and biking routinely tops the list of reasons people enjoy this South Carolina resort island. In July, I had the privilege of celebrating Frank’s 20+ years of tireless advocacy as the Town returned the favor and literally put Frank’s name on the map: they dedicated a trail in his honor.
When Frank retired to HHI more than 20 years ago, there was an aging network of disconnected and poorly maintained paths that apologetically wound their way alongside, out of sight of, the Town’s roads. Neighborhoods such as Palmetto Dunes and Sea Pines had a legacy network of paths and modest bike rental fleets that vacationers could use at their own risk. Frank saw the potential to turn these under-appreciated resources into a major selling point for the community. More importantly, he wanted to save some lives and spread the joy of riding a bike to everyone lucky enough to cross the Intracoastal Waterway and land on Hilton Head Island.
Lucky for us, he chose to use the League’s flagship Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program to achieve his dream. At the July 30 dedication ceremony, he shared the “a-ha” moment in 2007 when he attended a statewide bicycle conference in Spartanburg where the hosts received the first ever BFC award (Bronze) in the state of South Carolina. From that moment on, Frank used the program as a blueprint for tasking the Town, the powerful Homeowner Associations, the Chamber, his volunteer committee members, and anyone else who would listen with the changes that were needed to achieve the highest possible BFC designation.
His tenacity, mastery of delegation, and tireless energy has yielded extraordinary results. The 64-mile network of public paths is now wider, safer – especially the intersections, longer, better maintained and signposted, more visible and integrated into the town’s overall transportation system than ever before. A cadre of more than 200 Bike Ambassadors offer patient advice and assistance to the ever-changing population of pathway users. Impressive metrics attesting to Frank’s influence abound:
- There are more than 30 bike shops and rental outlets with a combined fleet of more than 15,000 rental bikes on the island (permanent population 38,000)
- The Pedal4Kids ride has raised over a million dollars for the Boys and Girls Club
- More golf fans (in the thousands) every year take advantage of complimentary bike parking at the RBC Heritage Classic than any other PGA event
The irrepressible Babel has exemplified the role of citizen advocate: collaborative and collegial out of preference, but dogged and a pain in the ass when needed. Totally supportive and respectful of agency staff and roles, while always willing to gather information and examples to add to their knowledge. Relentlessly optimistic and forward-thinking, even when dealing with the State Department of Transportation.
Frank’s view is that there’s always more than enough work to go around. Today, Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, and the Town seem to be trying to outdo one another – the two private communities boast another 20+ miles of pathway to add to the Town network. The fact that it hasn’t always been that way has never stopped him from asking, and then moving on to where progress can be made if the answer is no…the first time.
The new Frank Babel Pathway and Boardwalk starts at the Shelter Cove Community Park and runs along the stunning Broad Creek to the east, taking in the Veterans Memorial along the way. It’s a beautiful and fitting tribute to a person that’s made a lasting difference in their community and beyond. Indeed, Frank has also been an active member of the East Coast Greenway Alliance state committee in South Carolina and supporter of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition (now Palmetto Walk Bike).
On a personal note, Frank has always been a joy to work with and an inspiration. He makes the programs we dreamt up at the national level come to life on the ground, where it matters the most. For that, I remain truly grateful. And HHI, thanks to Frank, will always be a special place to me because of the “a-ha” moment it gave me. Give people a safe place to ride and easy access to a bike (any kind of bike, believe me) and they will ride, with a big grin on their faces. It’s not that complicated.
Frank is enjoying his second retirement, this time from bike advocacy. You should go and visit him, and ride on his trail! If you do, however, don’t be at all surprised if he bends your ear about what is yet to be done to get Hilton Head Island the Platinum BFC designation. A bicycle advocate’s job is NEVER done!
