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Car Less Ohio
Promoting the bicycling lifestyle in The Buckeye State
Cleveland to get Downtown Bikestation
Posted by on February 11, 2009
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
Posted by on February 9, 2009
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
Posted by on January 30, 2009
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
Posted by on January 24, 2009
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.
Tallmadge Public Meeting Report
Posted by on January 23, 2009
I attended the public meeting last night in Tallmadge, Ohio for the proposed Freedom Secondary Trail. Representatives for MetroParks Serving Summit County were there to answer questions, along with DLZ, the engineering and design firm working with the parks on the project.
I was told that they would consider the meeting a success if they had at least 50 people attending, but by the time I arrived at 5:50pm, they estimated that they already had over 60! There were detailed engineering drawings of the entire new trail, which showed a few different options where the final trail routing has not been determined. A running slide show illustrated the current location and conditions along the proposed trail corridor. The representatives were eager to hear feedback from attendees.
A decision on the final trail routing is expected some time this summer. With design and engineering work beginning immediately after that, actual construction will probably begin some time in 2010. The project will include rehabilitation work on the currently existing Tallmadge Rail Trail.
Making roads safe for cyclists and motorists
Posted by on January 23, 2009
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!
ODOT Director to retire
Posted by on January 23, 2009
From Columbus Business First:
Ohio Department of Transportation Director James Beasley on Thursday announced plans to retire next week.
Beasley, who served as Brown County engineer for 27 years before joining Gov. Ted Strickland’s cabinet in 2007, will serve his last day at ODOT Jan. 30. His replacement will be Jolene Molitoris, the department’s assistant director and chairwoman of the Ohio Rail Development Commission.
Strickland in a statement Thursday said Beasley made “lasting impacts” in his short time in office.
“He has led ODOT in a way that ensured integrity and ethics in the agency, instilled fiscal accountability and restraint, and modernized ODOT to think beyond just the highway system,” Strickland said.
During Beasley’s tenure, he broadened the focus of the department to include several modes of transportation, including bicycle and pedestrian. Molitoris said in a statement that she plans to further that work.
“As director, I look forward to working closely with our public and private partners to truly transform transportation and move Ohio into a prosperous new world,” she said.
"Walk, Bike!" lecture at Granville's Bryn Du Mansion
Posted by on January 22, 2009
From the Newark Advocate:
The Bryn Du Mansion of Granville is holding the second of three in its series of “Simply Living” lectures on Tuesday, January, 27, 2009 at 7:30pm. The lecture is titled “Walk, Bike!” and will demonstrate the ability to reduce reliance on the automobile in Central Ohio.
The Bryn Du Mansion is located at 537 Jones Rd, Granville, OH 43023.
Volunteers needed for Stark County Park District
Posted by on January 18, 2009
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
Posted by on January 16, 2009
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.
