Article published Mar 12, 2008

Section of bike trail now 'walk-only' zone

 

NEWARK — The Licking Park District announced today that a small section of the T.J. Evans Bike Trail between Cherry Valley Road and Granville has been designated as a “walk-only zone.”

 

Full story: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/UPDATES01/80312040

Rail Trail Eyed for Bike Trail

WBEZ (Chicago Public Radio)

(Story transcript)

 

In Paris, there's a landscaped, elevated bikeway more than a mile long, reclaimed from old railroad property. Another has just opened in Manhattan. Now, community organizers around Bucktown and Humboldt Park say there should be one in Chicago too. They envision biking, Rollerblading and jogging for three miles without a stop sign. The city of Chicago and some powerful funders are teaming up to help make it happen.

 

Full story: http://www.wbez.org/Content.aspx?audioID=19237

Residents, Reese remain at odds over bike path

By KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

LICKING TOWNSHIP -- The proposed bike path from Heath High School to Lakewood High School appears headed for a showdown or headed nowhere.

 

Full story: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080321/NEWS01/803210313/1002

 

Video Report:  http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080320/VIDEO/80320034/1002

 

Innnovation from California again.... now this would be a great idea for state & municipal government here in Ohio.

 

Workers to put pedals to metal

By Paul Eakins

Staff Writer

Long Beach Press Telegram

Article Launched: 03/17/2008 09:48:54 PM PDT

 

 

LONG BEACH - City employees have started doing their part to cut pollution in Long Beach, one crank of the bicycle pedal at a time.

 

Full story: http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_8608351

hmmm...

 

As long as it doesn't turn out like our Yellow Bike program here in Lexington, I'm all for it.

Bike path project faces uncertain future

By Lisa Tackett, Times-Journal [Jackson], March 27, 2008

 

It was revealed in Monday evening’s Jackson City Council meeting that the Bike Path project has hit a brick wall and has an uncertain future.

 

Original link to story: http://www.timesjournal.com/local.asp?Story=4

Consider biking. . . to work

The Cranky Commuter Blog

Columbus Dispatch

 

Bicycling to work saves money, helps promote a healthier lifestyle and also makes a positive impact on the environment, according to Bicycling magazine.

 

Full story: http://blog.dispatch.com/commuter/2008/03/consider_biking_to_work.shtml

Bike path paved with obstacles

Expansion affects economic development, but encounters property dispute, maintenance issues

By KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

NEWARK -- The bike trail system in Licking County, the cost to maintain it and plans to expand it have the attention of a wide range of residents, public officials and the private sector.

 

Full story: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/NEWS01/804060303

^ Those Cormicans are a real piece of work.  The government did not "reintroduce" coyotes into the area.  First of all, they are not native and could not have been "reintroduced".  Secondly, the coyotes just walked into Ohio from neighboring states. 

Coming next month...

 

Cleveland Bicycle Week

www.clevelandbicycleweek.org

May 10-18, 2008 all over Cleveland!

 

more to come...

Ohio RideShare, a commuter matching service provided by NOACA, has just launched their Bike Buddy program, which will enable bike commuters to find another person to ride to work with.

 

www.OhioBikeBuddies.com

 

 

via NOACA:

 

OhioRideshare is pleased to tell you about a new feature we have added to the Web site: a bicycle commuter matching service called OhioBikeBuddies. This new, free service works similarly to OhioRideshare:

 

·        Bicyclists seeking other people who commute to work by bicycle log onto the OhioRideshare/OhioBikeBuddies Web site and select “OhioBikeBuddies.”

·        They enter their starting point and destination.

·        They indicate the days and times they work.

·        They indicate whether they would prefer a male or female bike buddy.

·        The site produces a map showing a suggested route from the beginning location to the work site, as well as the approximate locations of other bicycle commuters.

·        Potential bicycling buddies contact each other directly by e-mail, so their personal information remains confidential until they decide to reveal it.

 

Already registered on OhioRideshare for carpooling but want to try bicycle commuting with a bike buddy? You can register for the new bicycle partner matching service by going to the Web site address you have been using for OhioRideshare, OhioRideshare.com, and indicating that you would like to register for OhioBikeBuddies, too. Since you are already registered for OhioRideshare, you don’t need to re-register for carpool matching. Simply update your information indicating that you would like both Carpool and OhioBikeBuddies matches.

 

Because this is a new feature it will take awhile before matches are available. As bicyclists register and the database grows, the greater the likelihood riders will have of finding a bike buddy. So please check back frequently.

 

Please tell your friends and neighbors about this new service, too! Ask them to register or get more information by logging onto OhioBikeBuddies.com or calling 1-800-825-RIDE.

 

Injury accents bike-car tensions

Wednesday,  April 23, 2008 3:21 AM

By Aaron Beck and Tim Doulin

 

The Columbus Dispatch

 

David Krohn was stopped on his bicycle in traffic on N. High Street in the Ohio State University campus area Friday night when a car behind him started honking.

 

Full story: http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/04/23/2_ASSAULT.ART_ART_04-23-08_A1_2AA0M7P.html?sid=101

 

Proper pedaling

Bicyclists must follow the same traffic rules as those driving motorized vehicles, including stopping at stop signs and red lights and observing the speed limit.

 

Bicyclists must ride in the direction of traffic; they cannot ride against traffic.

 

Bicyclists must ride as near to the right curb as is practical and safe.

 

Bicycles must be equipped with a white headlight and a red rear reflector and red light when used at night.

 

No more than two cyclists can ride abreast in a lane, but they must move to the right if they are slowing traffic.

 

Bicyclists can move out of the curb lane to turn left after signaling.

 

Bicycles are not allowed on freeways.

 

It is illegal for someone to ride on the handlebars or anywhere other than a seat on a bicycle.

 

Bicyclists must signal a turn, unless they are in a turn-only lane. For a left turn, extend the left hand and arm horizontally. For a right turn, extend the left arm with the forearm and hand turned upward, or extend the right arm and hand horizontally.

 

Bicyclists can pass slower-moving vehicles such as horse-drawn buggies and farm vehicles.

 

Sources: Ohio Revised Code, Columbus City Code

I've become accustomed to riding defensively and watching out for clueless drivers, but with rising gas prices a new menace has appeared on the streets -- clueless cyclists. They're people who haven't ridden on city streets before, and probably haven't ridden much anywhere since they got their driver licenses.

 

Last week I was headed downtown on my bike when a half-dozen twenty-somethings on bikes came cruising through a stop sign from a cross street onto my street. Two of them nearly ran me down, and obviously were startled to see me. If they were looking for any traffic, they were looking only for cars and weren't even aware I was there. The members of the group were all over the street and riding erratically, more intent on chatting with each other than with paying attention to their surroundings.

 

A lot of new cyclists ride on the sidewalks (illegal in the CBD), going too fast for safety and unaware of the dangers of cars pulling out of alleys or pedestrians entering the sidewalk from business doorways.

I fully admit I ride on sidewalks for a brief period in the CBD -- I come down Race, and have to get to low 400's on Vine, so rather than go down to to 3rd and back up the hill to 400s on vine, I cut the sidewalk.  Heck, the cops do it ALL the time.  I can't count how many times I see two officers riding side by side down the sidewalk.  But then again, I also go about walking pace when I do my brief stint on the sidewalks, and I am VERY careful about cars leaving garages and pedestrians coming out doors.

Okay, as a commuter and recreational cyclist, I call shenanigans on some of the codes below. I stop at stop signs and for traffic signals, but I'll often pull out a few seconds ahead of traffic so that I am more visible. There is nothing I hate more than starting in the middle of traffic, because you are far less visible.

 

I rarely ride "as near to the right curb" because that is what we call a "gutter lane." Full of glass, debris and lose rock. Cyclists have the right to take up the entire lane as they need it, and I often run three to five feet from the curb. I will sometimes use the left most lane if my destination is on the left, rather than trying to cross at a crosswalk (it's degrading).

 

And "move to the right" if they are slowing traffic? I often do that on the back roads, but in city, you have the right to use up the entire lane if need be.

As a cyclist I am peeved and writing city council (I'll keep the peeved part out) to point out that we need signage, sharrows, something, now. I'm grateful for the bikeways plan that will hopefully be started on soon, but this and a couple of other accidents and threats here, here, and here for starters is just ridiculous, not to mention a few aggressive drivers I've encountered myself. I'm hoping we can use this event to improve the current situation we ind ourselves in

"A friend of mine who was hit in December are in the hospital for a month is thinking of starting a web-site/forum where cyclist can post plate numbers, drivers, and other info of people who have threatened thier life on the road."

 

I wonder if that forum is online...?

Bike to Work Week !!!!

 

Info at: http://www.b2ww.considerbiking.org/events.html

 

B2WW Events | May 12-16

Contact Austin Kocher to volunteer or for more information.

 

Monday | May 12

Bike to Work Week Kick-Off

Mayor Coleman officiating

State House Lawn, Downtown Columbus

8-10am

 

 

Bike Commuter Challenge Begins

 

 

Movie and a Mission

Contested Streets

Knowlton Hall 250 (OSU)

6:30-9pm

 

 

 

Tuesday | May 13

Bicycling and the Law

Bicycling Attorney Timothy Boone

Location TBD

7-8pm

Do you know your rights and responsibilities as a cyclist? Practicing attorney Tim Boone will tell you everything you need to know about the law. Find out where you can and can't ride, what to do in case of an accident, and much more. Bring those burning questions for the Q & A time.

 

 

Wednesday | May 14

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Broadmeadows Bicycle & Pedstrian Bridge

4:30pm

 

 

Third Hand Bicycle Co-op Open House

174 E. Fifth Ave.

6-9pm

Check out Columbus' one and only bicycle co-op. Get a great bike for less. Learn how to keep your bike running great. Learn about the impact of Third Hand on the local community.

 

 

 

Thursday | May 15

Green Drinks Bike Pub Hop

1st stop: Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails

7pm

 

 

Friday | May 16

Bike to Work Challenge Awards Luncheon

Bucca di Beppo, Arena District

11:30am-1pm

 

 

Spring Cyclist's Pit Stop

15th & High

2-6pm

Meet all the best Columbus' cycling community has to offer including B1 Bicycles, Seagull Bags, Third Hand Bike Co-op, Restoration Bicycle, Consider Biking, Bike OSU, Ohio Bicycle Federation, MORPC, and many others. Be entertained by Marvin the Robot's original bicycle melodies, The Piano Peddler, and Jason's Bike Generator. Participate in COSI demonstrations and live art by Mike Reed. Free on demand: bicycle safety checks and urban cycling classes.

 

 

Saturday | May 17

Bike Tour of Columbus

OSU North Oval

11am-1pm

What's the best way to see Columbus? On a bicycle, of course! Join us for a leisurely tour of our Capitol City. Meet at the OSU North Oval, bring a couple bucks for lunch, and practice your road safety skills in the comfort of a large group. The tour will end at Bike+Art=Show at Junctionview Studios in Grandview.

 

 

Bike+Art=Show

Junctionview Studios

1-7pm

Bike + Art = Show is a forum for Columbus artists and craftsmen to celebrate and creatively envision The Bicycle--a machine of recreation and transportation, a signifier of healthy communities, and a tool of social revolution--and/or the cycling lifestyle. Join us in participation or observation, to learn and to articulate your vision of Columbus’s “bike scene”.

 

Last week I was headed downtown on my bike ...

 

Hey, hey, Rob, glad to hear you are up and about!  Great biking weather too. :hi:

 

 

Do you may a rental fee in addition to the membership fee? I do not know if they still do this, but in Stockholm they had free bikes everywhere. they were a certain color , so one knew the purpose. You just rode it and left it at a rack when you were done. What I could not figure out is what you did to let people know if you were still using it...IE grabbing a bite to eat or what not

So ive decided to start riding my bike to and from work in Legacy Village to save some cash on gas. Got out of work around 1130 pm last night and pulled into my house in willowick around 1230. Wasnt that bad of a ride and its deffinitely worth it considering the money ill be saving in the summer. The only scary part was coming within about 10 feet of a deer next to cuyahoga county airport and the wickliffe cop coming within feet of taking me out also. Who knows, i may start biking to cleveland state for summer classes depending on how fast these gas prices keep going up.   

I guess an hour isn't bad from Beachwood to Willowick.

 

But if you're commuting during or close to regular rush hours to CSU, consider taking Laketran. There is pretty decent service on the #12 Commuter Express route:

http://www.laketran.com/file.aspx?i=1217

 

Other Laketran Commuter Express routes to downtown Cleveland are at:

http://www.laketran.com/content.aspx?i=51

A piece from the NY Times about a new DC bike sharing program modeled after some of the successful Euro ones:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/us/27bikes.html?em&ex=1209528000&en=e96dfe185ff29d7d&ei=5087%0A

 

Bicycle-Sharing Program to Be First of Kind in U.S.

 

By BERNIE BECKER

Published: April 27, 2008

 

WASHINGTON — Starting next month, people here will be able to rent a bicycle day and night with the swipe of a membership card.

 

A new public-private venture called SmartBike DC will make 120 bicycles available at 10 spots in central locations in the city. The automated program, which district officials say is the first of its kind in the nation, will operate in a similar fashion to car-sharing programs like Zipcar...

 

 

http://clevelandbicycleweek.org/

 

WELCOME       

Numerous organizations are coming together to produce the first ever “Cleveland Bicycle Week” 

Promoting Cycling during National Bike Month by hosting fun and educational activities. 

 

 

Thursday May 15th we will host the Bicycle Friendly Community Conference for government officials, health and wellness agencies, the media and other interested parties. 

 

30 riders who bike to work during Cleveland Bicycle Week will receive a different bicycle accessory each morning courtesy of NOACA!  At the end of the week, a person could potentially accumulate a free headlight, taillight, mirror, pump, lock and seatpack with a total value of $110!

 

 

Some of the events are new (Bike To The Movies), some of them are existing (Bike To Work) and some are a combination by adding bicycles (Bike To RiverSweep).  If your organization has an event between Saturday May 10 and Sunday May 18 and you would like to be added to the Cleveland Bicycle Week calendar, let us know.  If you need ideas on adding bicycles to your event, we can help.  Please take our Survey

 

Would you like to ride your bicycle to work but think you'd feel more comfortable if you had a riding companion?  Check out NOACA's new OhioBikeBuddies Program.- details here, also a link to their site

 

Sunday, May 4- Bike Driver's Ed- details here

 

 

 

Saturday May 10

9:00am – 1:00pm:  Bike to RiverSweep - Nautica Stage on the west bank of The Flats www.ohiocanal.org/riversweep.htm

 

8:00am – 1:00pm:  Races At The Lake- last race of the series beginning April 19th- details here

 

1:00pm – 4:00pm:  Burning River Bike Polo- Polo at 1:00  (Teams of 4)-Westside Market Parking lot.

 

10:00am – 12:00pm: Social Ride- Training for Bike To Work Ride Leaders- details here

 

6:00pm – 8:00pm:  Bike Imitates Art (details here) - Lake Erie Artists Gallery Opening, Tower City

Show runs 2 weeks through to Friday May 23 at 7:00pm

 

Sunday May 11

10:00    Berea Falls to Scenic Park Bike Path Ride with Lake Erie Wheelers  C- level

 

Monday May 12

 

 

8:00am - 9:30am:  Bike to Work - YMCA downtown- 2200 Prospect Avenue 

www.clevelandbikes.org

 

6:30pm - 8:30pm: Bike to the Movies - Natural History Museum- details here

                            Tickets 7$ before April 30 available at www.walkroll.com/movie

 

 

12:00pm – 8:00pm:  Bike Imitates Art - Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Tower City

 

Tuesday May 13

Lance Armstrong Foundation's Livestrong Day- wear yellow!

 

 

8:00am - 9:30am:  Bike to Work - YMCA downtown- 2200 Prospect Avenue 

www.clevelandbikes.org

6:00pm - 8:00pm: Mountain Biking in The City – www.camba.us

 

12:00pm – 8:00pm:  Bike Imitates Art - Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Tower City

Wednesday May 14

 

 

8:00am - 9:30am:  Bike to Work - YMCA downtown- 2200 Prospect Avenue 

www.clevelandbikes.org

 

5:30pm - 8:30pm: Bike Slavic Village- Cleveland's Newest Rail Trail  details here

                            "The side of Slavic Village you haven't seen."    www.slavicvillage.org

 

8:00pm- 9:30pm: Night Ride on the Towpath Trail- Century cycles, Peninsula www.centurycycles.com

 

12:00pm – 8:00pm:  Bike Imitates Art - Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Tower City

 

Thursday May 15 

 

 

8:00am - 9:30am:  Bike to Work - YMCA downtown- 2200 Prospect Avenue 

www.clevelandbikes.org

 

9:00am - 5:00pm: Bicycle Friendly Community Conference

                   

        Schedule:  How Did They Do That? (Professional Track 1)

                     

        Schedule:  How Every Ohio Cyclist Can Help  (Public Track 2)

 

Printable Schedule and Mail-in Coupon Here

 

Printable Public Track Schedule Here

 

Purchase tickets online Here

 

Professional Conference Cost- including continental breakfast and lunch:

              $50 thru May 9th, $65 after May 9th

Public Conference cost, including Continental breakfast and lunch:

              $20 through May 9th, $25 after May 9th

Volunteer opportunities and scholarships towards conference fees are available.

Please contact Sally Hanley of NOACA at 216-241-2414 ext 273 or [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

 

 

12:00pm – 8:00pm:  Bike Imitates Art - Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Tower City

 

8:30 am- Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Treadway Creek Greenway Restoration and Trail

                                                                    details here

 

Friday May 16

 

 

8:00am - 9:30am:  Bike to Work - YMCA downtown- 2200 Prospect Avenue 

www.clevelandbikes.org

 

9:00am-1:00pm: Cleveland Bicycle Info Expo at Cleveland City Hall

 

12:00pm – 8:00pm:  Bike Imitates Art - Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Tower City

Saturday May 17

 

 

10:00am – 12:00pm: Riverday Social Bike Ride In the Flats- details here, OCBC calendar here

 

 

10:00am – 3:00pm: First Cleveland Bicycle Scavenger Hunt- details here, registration here

 

8:00am-  Case Alumni Assn 2nd Annual Larry Mattson Metric Century Bike Ride- details here

 

9:00 am-  Scenic Park to Shaker Square For Women Only w/ Lake Erie Wheelers B-level (40 miles)

 

12:00pm – 8:00pm:  Bike Imitates Art - Lake Erie Artists Gallery, Tower City

 

Sunday May 18

 

 

9:00- Tour De Cleveland, Scenic Park with the Lake Erie Wheelers 30/65 miles

 

 

 

 

Saturday May 24

 

 

9:00am – 4:00pm: Flatland BMX at the Galleria- regional competition details here

Dan Burden is in Fort Wayne for a few days. He has spent a couple of days walking around town and recording his observations, and yesterday evening at Cinema Center he gave a good grass-roots presentation that drew a fair number of attendees who responded favorably to the concepts he presented in slide show.

 

Today he's conducting a series of training sessions including one at 7:30a.m. for planning department staff.

 

He's a very good presenter; he's energetic and dynamic and he illustrates his points well with his visual materials.

The Central Ohio Restaurant Association is encouraging employees of member restaurants, as well as diners, to consider bicycling around town, especially from Monday through May 16.

 

Member restaurants, including Otani Grill, Basi Italia, Katzinger's Deli, Cup 'o Joe/Mojoe Lounge, the Surly Girl Saloon, Tip-Top Kitchen and Betty's Fine Food and Spirits, will keep a log of how many times their workers bike to work, with the winning staff getting a pizza party.

 

For diners, the restaurants are offering "helmet discounts" that vary by restaurant to bike riders.  For more information, visit http://b2ww.considerbiking.org.

 

 

In step with the City of Cleveland's Bikeway Masterplan, an informal collaboration between citizens, City of Cleveland councilmen, non-profits, & several City of Cleveland staffers has resulted in the first use of Sharrows or Shared Lane Markings in Cleveland and likely in the entire state. Like Bicycle Lanes, Shared Lane Markings are another tool for facilitating bicycle use on appropriate roadways.

 

Cleveland's first Sharrow implementation appears on Franklin Avenue (between W. 65th and W. 25th), which is already a well traveled bicycle route as well as a designated Bikeway on the City's Masterplan. The addition of the Shared Lane Marking further justifies and legitimizes bicycle use on this route.

 

Anyone know if Sharrows have been implemented elsewhere in Ohio?

Cyclist in annual race dies after being hit by SUV

Man was biking alone along Rt. 23

Monday,  May 12, 2008 3:00 AM

By Mary Beth Lane, Simone Sebastian and Misti Crane

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

A bicyclist in the annual Tour of the Scioto River Valley was killed yesterday along Rt. 23 when he was struck from behind by a sport-utility vehicle, the State Highway Patrol said.

 

Full story: http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/12/crowley.ART_ART_05-12-08_B7_51A65JH.html?sid=101

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 13, 2008

Bicycle Week in Cleveland

 

CLEVELAND – Today Mayor Frank G. Jackson issued a proclamation in honor of the first “Cleveland

Bicycle Week” which will run through May 18. Cleveland Bicycle Week was created by a broad

partnership of local organizations to celebrate Cleveland being the first city in Ohio to be recognized as a

Bicycle Friendly Community by the American League of Bicyclists.

 

“Connections between people, places and opportunities contribute to the overall quality of life in the City

of Cleveland and bike trails are an important component to those connections,” said Mayor Jackson.

“Implementation of the Citywide Bikeway Master Plan will improve public health, provide an affordable

transportation option and create the type of recreational amenities that are necessary in any City of

Choice.”

 

Cleveland Bicycle Week, through a series of events, will engage the cycling public and civic leaders to

work together for safer, cleaner and healthier transportation choices.

 

A wide range of cycling events will take place during Cleveland Bicycle Week, including Bike to Work

group rides every weekday morning, an all day planners’ conference, and the dedication of the Treadway

Creek Greenway & Trail on May 16. The Treadway Creek Greenway & Trail will connect Cleveland’s

Old Brooklyn neighborhood to the Towpath Trail. The Towpath Trail will provide Cleveland

neighborhoods direct access to 110 miles of bike trail connecting Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga National Park

and Downtown Cleveland.

 

For more information please visit www.clevelandbicycleweek.org.

 

Partners in Cleveland Bicycle Week include:

City of Cleveland, Cleveland Area Mountain Biking Association, ClevelandBikes, Cleveland Clinic,

Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Public Library, Clevelanders in

Motion, Earth Day Coalition, Fast Track Cycling, GreenCityBlueLake Institute, NOACA, Ohio Canal

Corridor, Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, Slavic Village Development Corp, Steps to a Healthier Cleveland,

University Circle Inc., Walk+Roll Cleveland, YMCA of Greater Cleveland

 

City has big plans for bikes

Ideas: More trails, a Downtown changing station, respectful car-bicycle relationships

Monday,  May 19, 2008 3:05 AM

By Tim Doulin

 

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Add 31 miles of off-street trails and 58 miles of on-street bike lanes and routes ... Make N. High Street friendlier to bicyclists. ... Build a Downtown bike station where two-wheel commuters would be able to change clothes and park their bikes.

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/19/Bikeplan.ART_ART_05-19-08_B1_4HA85RC.html?sid=101

 

Future path

Highlights of the Bicentennial Bikeways Plan:

 

Build a Downtown bike station where commuters could change clothes and store bicycles.

 

Install hundreds of public bike racks.

 

Connect the Olentangy Trail to the Alum Creek Trail with 14 miles of bike lanes and paths.

 

Add a 12.6-mile bike corridor from the Main Street bridge along W. Town Street to an alley that parallels Sullivant Avenue to the south. It would connect with the proposed Camp Chase Trail at Georgesville Road and continue west to meet the southern leg of the Ohio to Erie Trail.

 

Add signs and striping and improve pavement on Milton Avenue to link two sections of the Olentangy Trail across W. North Broadway.

 

Mark 5 miles of Downtown alleys with striping and directional signs.

 

Add 1.8 miles of bike lanes to Rt. 161 between Sawmill and Linworth roads.

 

Mark 1 mile of bike lane on Lockbourne Road between Livingston and Frebis avenues.

 

Design a share-the-road education campaign for cyclists and drivers using N. High Street between Downtown and Morse Road.

 

Parks

Build a 3-mile bike trail in Big Run Park.

 

Finish a 4-mile section of the Alum Creek Trail from Ohio Dominican University to Innis Park.

 

Add 1.5 miles to the Scioto Trail from Berliner Park to Grove City.

 

Add 2 miles to the Big Walnut Trail.

 

Sources: City of Columbus, Alta Planning + Design ( www.altaprojects.net/columbus)

I'm insanely jealous!

Commuters turn to bikes

Workers pedal to save on cost of fuel, improve their fitness

By Connie Cartmell, Marietta Times, May 13, 2008

 

It isn’t just the price of a gallon of gasoline nudging Laurie Lee, 48, of Marietta, to dust off her trusty old bicycle and pull it out of her garage on Sixth Street to pedal to work in North Hills.

 

http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/503595.html?nav=5002

I'm confused about why we're voting on road infrastructure that will make streets more bike-friendly. We never needed to vote on roadwork before, but now that it'll make roads safer for bikes all of a sudden it needs to get the publics' approval? Just build it and include with all the other wasteful spending on roads here. What hypocrisy.

 

And while they're at it High will need more than signs. Have the traffic lights timed so that it is stop-and-go traffic instead of green light after green light, so that cyclists won't be slowing down traffic all that much (actually, do that for most/all of Downtown for a quick, meaningful fix). Some nice looking medians/skinnier lanes would help keep traffic moving at a safer pace.

There were around 500 of us. How was C-town and Cincy (and other smaller Ohio cities)?

 

'Ghost Riders' Honor Lost Lives

Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 11:12 AM

By Ashley Brown

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Hundreds of bike riders took to the streets near the Statehouse Wednesday night for a "ride of silence."

 

Full story: http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-05-22-0011.html

 

I don't think much more can be said than that. 1 dead, 10 injured.

 

Car crashes into bike race; one dead

 

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- A car plowed into a weekend bike race along a highway near the U.S.-Mexico border, killing one and injuring 10 others, police said.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/06/02/mexico.bikers.ap/index.html

Ann Fisher commentary:

Bicycling community gives boy new wheels

Wednesday,  June 11, 2008 3:17 AM

By Ann Fisher

 

Bicycling can be its own reward. But maybe there's even more. ... Maybe you think you've made it when the mayor announces that the city will add 31 miles of off-street biking trails, 58 miles of on-street bike lanes and hundreds of new bike racks by 2012.

 

Full story: http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/11/ann11.ART_ART_06-11-08_B2_K0AF7FJ.html?sid=101

Nice column.

Gas prices driving bike sales

 

June 12, 2008

 

Video at:

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25093571#25093571

 

 

I'm happy to say I just bought my first bicycle in years. It's a used bicycle which I bought from the Ohio City Bike Co-op in Cleveland. It's a seven-speed town bike, based on a steel Schwinn frame from the 1980s. It fits me nicely (physically and use-wise). And it cost me only $150. Now I'm off to buy a helmet, a U-lock and a backpack!

good news KJP.

 

Now don't for get the waterbottle, wrist band, seat pad, ipod holder and all the other accessories!

good news KJP.

 

Now don't for get the waterbottle, wrist band, seat pad, ipod holder and all the other accessories!

 

I always ride with my pepper spray to protect me from dogs.....add that to your list too. :)  Oh I am ready for the comments about me being a dog hater.  I don't hate dogs.  My favorites are the ones on leashes....

I was actually bitten by two dogs in two different incidents last year while on foot.  I have been chased by dogs many times while in the country, and in fact have had to turn around on country roads when riding uphill and facing multiple angry dogs waiting for me in the middle of the street.   

And I used to sell door-to-door when I was in college, I came across many dogs who would come running at me. Instead, I used "dog psychology" on them -- since I'm bigger than them. So I ran at them, yelled and waved my arms over my head. The dogs ALWAYS ran the other way. Then you stop. If they turn around and start coming after you again, you take a fast step toward them and take steps back while they're not looking. Repeat as necessary. You have to be scarier to them than they are to you. But all they want to do is protect their turf. Once you and them realize neither wants any part of the other, both will go their separate ways. 

 

Back to biking....

good news KJP.

 

Now don't for get the waterbottle, wrist band, seat pad, ipod holder and all the other accessories!

 

Too bad they don't make those red, white and blue plastic streamers that went in the end of the handlebars, any more! :-D

 

Sounds like the right bike for the job, KJP. Seven speeds is plenty for city riding, and the Schwinn frames are solid and trouble-free.

 

Don't forget to get a bell, to warn pedestrians who wander around on the path in a blissful daze. A Nathan five-chime locomotive horn would be more fun, but the air tank and compressor would be unwieldy.

The bike co-op is a great resource.  I've been taking the bike repair classes, and using the shop to keep my bike in top condition.  I did a little volunteer work today, though I don't know if I did anything good to the bikes they gave me.

I was actually bitten by two dogs in two different incidents last year while on foot.  I have been chased by dogs many times while in the country, and in fact have had to turn around on country roads when riding uphill and facing multiple angry dogs waiting for me in the middle of the street.

 

I've biked for two years in the Bluegrass -- central Kentucky, around Lexington and have NEVER encountered an unleashed dog. Such pleasant rides.

 

Then I try my hand at some roads in eastern Kentucky. Kentucky Route 207 is flat but with three steep upgrades and downgrades (going over old railroad tunnels). I was chased by five packs of vicious dogs -- three with their teeth glaring. One was before a steep ascent, so I had to bite my teeth and just push up one of the hills. It was one of the nastiest climbs I had ever done.

 

Now I carry mace with me.

I need to do a google search to see if they sell pepper spray that attaches to your handlebars with velcro or something. I usually keep it in my bike pocket but it would be nice to have something really accessible. 

Environment

Truckers: Make Room for Bike Freight

by Shannon Mullen/NPR

 

Day to Day, June 20, 2008 · In a handful of major cities, some companies are turning to bike freight as a cheaper, greener way of delivering their products without using fossil fuels.

 

Full story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91731834

 

Amazing

Hey.... now you can start a second career with that new bike!

 

The KJP "Pedal Power" Express