Car Less Ohio

Promoting the bicycling lifestyle in The Buckeye State

Category Archives: News

Grove City council approves new bike paths

An article on ColumbusLocalNews.com reports that the city council of Grove City, Ohio recently approved two appropriations of $38,000 and $31,000 for engineering services that will mean new bike paths in the Windsor Park addition and between the Westgrove development and the Town Center, respectively.

Bike lanes being added to Clime Road near Columbus

From Columbus Business First of Feb. 16, 2009:

Construction began Monday on an $7.9 million effort to widen and reconstruct a 1.5-mile stretch of Clime Road on the west side of Columbus.

The section of highway, stretching east of Demorest Road to Harrisburg Pike, was closed Monday to traffic, said the Franklin County engineer’s office, which is managing the project.

Crews are working to widen and rebuild the road so they can add a center turning lane, two bicycle lanes, storm sewers, sidewalks and curbs, along with signs and street lighting. The stretch will be closed for about 40 days as a culvert along the path is replaced, the office said.

The project, scheduled for completion next summer, will cost $7.9 million and is funded by Federal Highway Administration and Ohio Public Works Commission dollars.

New Trail Link Planned for Cleveland’s West Side

According to a recent article by Michael Gill in the Cleveland Free Times, the Cleveland City Planning Commission has given approval for funding to be sought for the development of a new 2.5-mile bike trail. The trail will link the city’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood to the west with the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. The project is expected to be completed in three to five years.

Cleveland to get Downtown Bikestation

The city of Cleveland is planning to build a Bikestation, which would include bike storage, lockers, changing rooms, showers, and bicycle repair facilities. The Bikestation will be located at in currently unused space in a parking garage on East 4th Street, near the Quicken Loans Arena. No timetable for the opening of the facility is available yet, as the project is in the stages of gathering information, cost estimates, and potential funding. More information can be found on the Cleveland City Planning Commission web site.

Drunk Cyclist arrested in Cincinnati

According to this article from the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, a man was arrested while cycling yesterday in Cincinnati, on charges of operating a vehicle under the influence (plus resisting arrest; never hurts to throw that one in for good measure). I think this is a good thing, especially if he was riding in an unsafe manner, as the article suggests.

Many anti-cycling people complain that traffic laws are not enforced for cyclists. Bike advocates are also generally in favor of strict enforcement, as this elevates the standing of bikes as legitimate vehicles on the roads.

Some states have considered exempting cyclists from DUI enforcement. This may be a good thing, as a drunk bicyclist is probably safer for the general public compared to a drunk car driver. But, from a bike advocate standpoint, this has the negative effect of diminishing cyclists’ role as vehicles having full rights and responsibilities on the streets.

Public gives input on Youngstown-area bike trails

According to a recent article in The Vindicator newspaper of Youngstown, a public meeting was held recently where residents provided feedback local officials about current and proposed bike trails. In attendance were members of one of the local cycling clubs. The date and location of the meeting were not specified. Read the full article here.

News from the Columbus Dispatch

Two articles of note in today’s Columbus Dispatch; the first is a brief note by reporter Spencer Hunt explaining a temporary sewer pipe running along the Olentangy Bike Trail. The second is from reporter Kathy Lynn Gray, who talks to a few area cyclists to find out how they deal with the cold weather.

Making roads safe for cyclists and motorists

This article appears in today’s Chillicothe Gazette, by long-time cyclist David May of the Gazette’s Board of Contributors. He offers many points and tips, most of which are probably familiar to regular readers of this blog. But, it is good to see something like this appearing in a mainstream publication for the benefit of non-cyclists. Thanks, David, for representing us well!

Volunteers needed for Stark County Park District

From Ohio.com:

The Stark County Park District is seeking volunteers to join its Trailblazers group. The volunteers cover 60 miles of park trail, including 25 miles of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

To get an application and arrange an interview, contact volunteer coordinator Jennifer Martin at 330-477-3552 or go to http://www.starkparks.com/volunteer_program.asp. Interviews will be conducted through Jan. 30.

Five training classes covering first aid, bicycle repair, park history and regulations, and communication skills will be offered on five dates in February and again in April. Volunteers are asked to work at least 32 hours a year.

Public meeting for new bike trail near Tallmadge

Metroparks Serving Summit County is holding a public meeting on Thursday, January 22 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Tallmadge Community Center, 80 Community Drive, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278. The meeting will be in an open house format, where visitors can see graphic displays, talk to park staff and consultants, and make comments.

The proposed new trail, dubbed the Freedom Secondary Trail, will start at the Portage Hike and Bike Trail in Kent, connect to the Tallmadge Trail, and continue west to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. A possible spur will connect to the Metroparks Bike & Hike Trail in Munroe Falls.

This post is a summary of information from an article by Stephanie Kist in the West Side Leader.