The most frequently requested feature by users of Google Maps has been the ability to find routes best suited for bicycling. Today, Google announces that this feature is finally available (in beta form).
Cleveland Innerbelt Bridge Access
There’s been an ongoing debate in Northeast Ohio about the reconstruction of the Interstate 90 bridge in Cleveland, and whether or not a bicycle/pedestrian lane will be added. There have been letters in support of bike/ped access sent by US Representative Dennis Kucinich and US Senator Sherrod Brown. Most recently, Governor Ted Strickland requested that the Ohio Department of Transportation review the issue, according to reports in The Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Akron Beacon-Journal.
You can find full coverage of the Innerbelt Bridge issue on the Green City Blue Lake web site.
Ohio River Way Receives Grant
Bikes Belong has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Ohio River Way, Inc. to help pave a segment of the Ohio River Trail that will link downtown Cincinnati to Lunken Airport. The grant is part of a total of $55,000 that Bikes Belong has awarded as part of its Winter 2010 grant cycle.
Read more about Bikes Belong and their latest grants this article on their web site.
Columbus Mayor aims to create “Bike City USA”
In the annual State of the City address last night, Mayor Michael Coleman said he is determined to make Columbus “Bike City USA.” To help get there, the city will set aside $6 million from its capital budget to connect the Alum Creek Trail to the city’s bikeway system and build an additional 24 miles of bike paths and bike lanes on city streets.
More details from the speech can be found in this article from Columbus Business First.
Stow applies for grant for bike trail
According to this article from the Stow Sentry, the city of Stow, Ohio has applied for a $41,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for a new bike trail to connect the area near the Staybridge Hotel property, and the Bike and Hike Trail of the Metroparks, Serving Summit County.
Although this is a pretty short route, it looks to me like it will be a useful connection between popular bike routes in the area, providing a bypass around the busy Route 8/Steels Corners Road interchange.
$20 million Federal Grant will help build transportation center in downtown Kent
The downtown area of Kent, Ohio will get getting a new transportation center with the help of a $20 million grant from the federal government. The multimodal facility will include a bicycle storage area and 350 auto parking spaces, and with 10 bus bays, will also service as a regional transit hub.
Read more details in this article from the Plain Dealer.
OBF Bill Introduction Tuesday
Senator Teresa Fedor of Toledo will introduce a bill on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 to modify Ohio revised code 4511.27(A) to require that motorists maintain a three-foot minimum clearance when passing bicycles.
Senators Fedor and Mark Wagoner and Ohio Bicycle Federation Chair Chuck Smith will announce the bill’s introduction during an 11:30 AM Tuesday press conference on the West Lawn of the State House in Columbus.
The bill is one of eight Ohio Bicycle Federation proposals to improve Ohio cycling given to Senator Fedor by Smith during a May 15-17 bicycle tour from Toledo to Columbus.
For questions regarding the proposed legislation, check the Ohio Bicycle Federation web site at www.ohiobike.org or email Smith at chuck@ohiobike.org.
Dayton streets to become more bike-friendly
Ken McCall of the Dayton Daily News reports that bids are to go out this week for a street redesign project in downtown Dayton. Part of the project is creating bike lanes, and painting “sharrows” on other streets. Full story…
Marion County rail-trail project makes progress
Jessica Cuffman of the Marion Star reports that a rail-trail project in Marion County that has been stalled for 10 years is finally moving forward, with funding and a construction schedule. Full story…
Court rules in favor of trail developers
Kent Mallett of the Newark Advocate reports that a Licking County Court has ruled in favor of a trail development group in an ongoing, contentious land ownership dispute near Newark, Ohio. Click here for the full story.