^ Thank you!  I sent them a note.. Also, anyone who helps encourage this announcement to be sent out on appropriate newsletters or websites by forwarding it to appropriate parties would be greatly appreciated!

hey--i just flew Jetstar for the first time a few weeks ago. the tiniest legroom i had ever seen on an a plane. but i assume its the vehicle type you are showing--sans paintjob.

 

What is/are "Gardens Under Glass?"

Hello - Lois Moss of Walk+Roll here.  Interesting construction...I can see where this would be practical for transporting small loads and making deliveries.  If anyone gets these going here, I'd be interested in hiring them for the Walk+Roll street-based events.  You may also find a market by contracting with places that have spread out facilities...like Cleveland Clinic.  Try posting on the forums for Green City Blue Lake, Entrepreneurs for Sustainability and RealNEO.  Best of luck and glad to see out-of-the-box ideas in CLE!

^^

 

Lois, I sent you an email, thank you for the support! I would like to eventually arrange a meeting with you... Invite you to one.

 

Pugo..those are just vehicles wrapped in an advertisement that is sold to advertisers. It can be changed. Under City Discussion, there is a "Gardens Under Glass" thread.... Should be on the first page....  Just don't have it convenient at the moment. But in short, it is all about creating indoor growing of certain produce year round and creating a sort of "eco-village" featuring more infusion of  businesses that offer green products and education. Unique things not typically sold or found elsewhere.

Keep us posted EC and others on the developments of this! I have a friend in Charleston, Wv. that just started up a similar program, and I have another in Huntington, Wv. that is curious. I'd like to know more about the business model and costs, specifically.

^ I will keep updates posted here. The whole model will likely be discussed at a meeting that anyone who is interested in can attend. I will make a notice of that. Thanks for the interest.

Not sure if these were posted anywhere else, but I noticed a presentation and some renderings released last week are all up on the ODOT site now: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/PlanningPrograms/Pages/Lorain-Carnegie(HopeMemorial)BikewayImprovements.aspx

 

I know they weren't necessarily mutually exclusive, but at the end of the day, I think this is a better project than the proposed bike lane on the new Innerbelt bridge. 

I was on record saying that a weakness of the I-90 bridge was its lack of pedestrian / bike lanes. Looking at this, though, I'm thinking maybe this is the better route after all. I think I'd be more comfortable walking/biking across Lorain/Carnegie than I would be with cars and trucks flying past me at 70+ mph.

Well, that bridge needs improvement anyway. I'd personally sooner use the Superior Ave bridge since it takes you right downtown and you can coast the second half of the way. Anyway, glad this is getting done. The barrier is uncreative.

Not sure if these were posted anywhere else, but I noticed a presentation and some renderings released last week are all up on the ODOT site now: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/PlanningPrograms/Pages/Lorain-Carnegie(HopeMemorial)BikewayImprovements.aspx

 

I know they weren't necessarily mutually exclusive, but at the end of the day, I think this is a better project than the proposed bike lane on the new Innerbelt bridge. 

 

It looks like they are raising the bike lane up to sidewalk level too -- that will make a big improvement in how it feels for a pedestrian or cyclist crossing the bridge.  In a good way, IMHO.  :clap:

I was on record saying that a weakness of the I-90 bridge was its lack of pedestrian / bike lanes. Looking at this, though, I'm thinking maybe this is the better route after all. I think I'd be more comfortable walking/biking across Lorain/Carnegie than I would be with cars and trucks flying past me at 70+ mph.

 

Agreed.  I was indifferent to the bike lane on the Innerbelt Bridge.  I definitely would have never used it for the reasons you stated, but I certainly would not have objected to including one for the brave souls who would find it convenient. 

 

This project, on the other hand, might encourage me to extend my rides past Public Square and into Ohio City.

Press release:

 

 

Lorain-Carnegie Bikeway Improvements to Begin Next Week

City of Cleveland

 

GARFIELD HEIGHTS (Monday, May 14, 2012) – On Monday, May 21, crews on behalf of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will begin a project to improve the Lorain-Carnegie (Hope Memorial) Bridge in the city of Cleveland.

 

A collaboration between ODOT, city of Cleveland officials, Cuyahoga County officials and local cycling advocates, the $4.5 million project will make the bridge a safer, more family friendly and convenient option for cyclists and pedestrians wishing to travel across the Cuyahoga River valley.

 

Crews will construct an improved, 14.5 foot multi-use path on the north side of the structure to capture views of downtown Cleveland.  A concrete barrier will be constructed between the path and traffic, to enhance the experience for pedestrians and novice cyclists – and provide additional safety.  Advanced cyclists will be advised to “share the road” with motorists in either direction using pavement markings called “sharrows” and signage along the route.

 

In addition to the improvements noted above, crews will also install new pedestrian lighting and upgrade the existing street lighting.  New lighting fixtures will be in keeping with the historic character of the bridge.  Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of the project, crews will also install lighting to highlight the iconic “Guardians of Traffic” – the sandstone art deco pylons which stand watch over each end of the structure.

 

In coordination with the Innerbelt Bridge project team, additional improvements will be made along the triangular “island” in the northwest corner of the Carnegie and Ontario intersection.  Lanes in this area are being reconfigured and reclaimed space will be repurposed into a bike and pedestrian friendly promenade.

 

Beginning on May 21, crews will implement temporary work zones from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day, to consist of a single lane closure of the westbound lane on the north side of the bridge.  Beginning soon thereafter, crews will implement a permanent work zone where the westbound curb lane will be closed to traffic through the fall of 2012.  During this time, only one lane of westbound (outbound) traffic will be permitted to cross the structure.  Two lanes will be maintained in the eastbound (inbound) direction.  Details will be forthcoming. 

Through the 2012 construction season, pedestrian traffic will be maintained via a pedestrian detour on the south side of the bridge.

Bikeway improvements are scheduled to be complete during the fall/winter of 2012, with minor operations continuing into the spring of 2013.

 

About ODOT:

Ohio’s highways are essential to keeping and creating new jobs.  With a mission to provide easy movement of people and goods from place to place, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is responsible for maintaining one of the largest transportation networks in the nation.  Guided by ethical principles and accountability, ODOT works to improve safety, enhance travel and advance economic development.  As a $2.8 billion enterprise, the department wisely invests in its core services of snow and ice removal, annual construction program and highway maintenance operations.

 

###

 

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/Deputy%20Director/News/Pages/Lorain-Carnegie-Bikeway-Improvements-to-Begin-Next-Week.aspx

 

 

Awesome!

Its about time this started.  Cant wait till the gaurdians are finally lit!

I hate to say I don't think these changes go far enough. More specifically, I'm disappointed that "advanced" cyclists are not further separated from traffic. I ride across here fairly often, and it feels absolutely life threatening. If you take the "share the road" option I'll say the same exact thing with Detroit Superior. I don't care what the speed limit is, traffic on both bridges reach speeds that are way too high for cyclists to exist in such close proximity.

 

This graphic on the left should hit home just how stupidly dangerous this is:

 

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/PlanningEngineering/Documents/050511%20Bridge.pdf

Yeah it does look a bit stupid and very dangerous, but it looks like there will be plenty of room in the pedestrian lane for bikes, you would just need to watch for pedestrians and slower bikes. 

I've also noticed the Abbey Road bridge is currently being altered.  The fence on the Eastern side of the bridge has been cut away (which is a sight for sore eyes) but I haven't seen much else done.  Are there any renderings available for that span?

 

Also, this doc shows the new "promenade" on the East end of the bridge which I think will make that intersection much nicer.  Also it shows trees lining Ontario past the Eagle Ave intersection.  I really hope the line Ontario all the way to Huron.

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/PlanningEngineering/Documents/051911%20Hope%20Memorial%20Bridge%20East%20End.pdf

Surprised that somebody else here did not pick this up...not sure exactly where to put it, it is in a PD article about the the Lorain Carnagie Bridge/ Abbey Bridge Bike improvements

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/05/post_20.html

 

 

He's excited by another West Side prospect for cyclists. Plans are in the works to install bike lanes on Detroit Avenue, from West 25th Street to Lake Avenue, he said.

 

A city spokeswoman said the project is still under discussion. Bike advocates and the city have been focusing on Detroit as a bike-friendly alternative to the West Shoreway, where plans to convert the highway to a slower-speed boulevard appear to have foundered for lack of money.

 

The plan on Detroit calls for a 5-foot-wide bike lane and one lane of traffic on both sides of the street, VanSickle said.

 

Bike lanes would stop where Detroit narrows in the Gordon Square Arts District, around West 65th Street, VanSickle said.

 

I've also noticed the Abbey Road bridge is currently being altered.  The fence on the Eastern side of the bridge has been cut away (which is a sight for sore eyes) but I haven't seen much else done.  Are there any renderings available for that span?

 

Also, this doc shows the new "promenade" on the East end of the bridge which I think will make that intersection much nicer.  Also it shows trees lining Ontario past the Eagle Ave intersection.  I really hope the line Ontario all the way to Huron.

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/districts/D12/PlanningEngineering/Documents/051911%20Hope%20Memorial%20Bridge%20East%20End.pdf

 

I love the direction they're going with the eastern end of the route. Should be a much improved journey for the entire length.

 

I agree with everyone about the sharrows and travel speeds on the bridge though.  If they are really going to present the roadways as viable for sharing with bikes, I wish they could dig some rumble strips or something to get drivers to slow the eff down.  Though I don't think I would ever choose the roadway to bike on myself given the new protected path.  I can't imagine pedestrian traffic will be much an issue for bikers there.

BTW, I've long advocated for the city to vacate the southbound-only lanes on the western-most side of Ontario, across from Prog Field. Combined with that triangle of land where the gas station and Eagle Avenue once was, that would make a very large tract of developable land. It could even gain a Rapid station as part of it if they wanted to bridge over the tracks to Canal Road. ;-)

BTW, I've long advocated for the city to vacate the southbound-only lanes on the western-most side of Ontario, across from Prog Field. Combined with that triangle of land where the gas station and Eagle Avenue once was, that would make a very large tract of developable land. It could even gain a Rapid station as part of it if they wanted to bridge over the tracks to Canal Road. ;-)

 

I also think a rapid station there would be cool. It would serve the stadiums nicely. Have a nice large "To Tracks" sign so that everyone on the gateway plaza could see, and so everyone stuck in traffic and waiting to get in the parking garage could see people easily walking up from the station and into the stadium with no problem :evil:

Detroit Avenue in Cleveland will soon cater to those on 2 wheels

Published: Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 6:00 AM    Updated: Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 6:22 AM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Detroit Avenue, a major traffic artery on the city's West side, will soon make room for those driving on two wheels.

 

The city unveiled a plan Tuesday night to stripe 5-foot-wide bike lanes on Detroit from about West 25th Street to Lake Avenue.

 

The 1.7-mile stretch will narrow to one lane in each direction for cars. Parking along the curb will remain.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/08/detroit_avenue_in_cleveland_wi.html

 

 

 

There is also a plan emerging for the subway deck of the Detroit-Superior bridge....

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/clevelandbridgeproject061611.aspx

 

Project website is here:

http://www.bridgeprojectcleveland.com/

^ Intriguing. I wonder if it's possible to install windows in the arches of the bridge. Could provide further protection from the weather and make it more suitable for retail inside. I'd love to be able to swoop by on the bike and grab a coffee, etc.

 

Wouldn't it be cool if this lower deck was the western gateway into Tower City?

^ That's great progress. Hopefully this momentum can continue further west on Detroit asap.

 

Point of contention:

Several cyclists asked about the dicey drive over the Detroit-Superior bridge for east-bound cyclists who don't want to swing over to the path. Neither a striped shoulder nor a raised sidewalk on the bridge's south side afford a comfortable route for cyclists, who have to deal with traffic in a hurry to get downtown.

 

Cross said the city is considering a bike lane and sharrows on the bridge's south side.

 

I'm afraid these sharrows will give cyclists a false sense of security. You are risking your life on the south side of the bridge, and imho a painted bicycle logo isn't anything nearly enough to guarantee safety. I implore anyone who considers taking the bridge to use the north side raised sidewalk.

 

Case and point.

 

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/08/case-separated-bike-lanes/3015/

 

The other day, Doug Gordon decided to try a little bike lane experiment. Gordon, author of the Brooklyn Spoke blog, placed red plastic Solo cups (yes, the ones you use when drinking from a keg) along the edge of a painted bike lane that is often blocked by parked livery cars and other drivers.

 

The conditions were hardly scientific, but these small plastic delineators, stuck to the roadway with duct tape, seemed to be pretty effective in preventing vehicles from entering the bike lane.

 

Funny story, enlightening, but not really the same. A bike lane is it's own lane. A sharrow, on the other hand, is merely the painting of a bicycle logo in a shared lane for bicycles and auto traffic.

 

 

 

^ I understand that, but the point was more so that painting a sharrow doesn't really accomplish anything.  Also, just having a painted lane doesn't accomplish as much as having solo cups duct taped to the street.

^ I understand that, but the point was more so that painting a sharrow doesn't really accomplish anything.  Also, just having a painted lane doesn't accomplish as much as having solo cups duct taped to the street.

 

Oh, sorry I misunderstood your point. But yeah, I fully support your cup method and will gladly support any ODOT methods to initiate it where feasible.

Instead of asking whether the city is ready it needs to just do it regardless and living in a city where this exists and seeing the bike share bikes heavily used and how much people enjoy them (without helmets: go figure) I can't tell you how important this is. The timing of this article is one month after Chicago approved a bike share system.

 

Is Cleveland ready for bike share?

Submitted by Marc Lefkowitz  |  Last edited May 7, 2012 - 12:05pm

 

Bike share is a sustainable transportation idea that is coming of age in America. Unlike some more hard-core issues, like expanding bike lanes, bike share is exciting a wider audience to consider riding a bike in their city.

 

The origins of modern bike share—a flexible rent and return service —can be traced to city-led programs in Paris and Washington. Images of Paris and D.C.'s bike share whipped up a frenzy that led to a dozen U.S. bike share programs starting up in the last few years. Again, these are bikes that are checked out one place with a credit card swipe and returned to another self-serve station at or near your destination.

 

Bike share confirms that city dwellers plus congestion and the inconvenience of parking set up well for a bike-when-you-need-it situation. Even in car-loving America, bikes suddenly become attractive when convenience and coolness are mixed in with a dose of tech.

 

More: http://www.gcbl.org/blog/marc-lefkowitz/cleveland-ready-bike-share

The person who wrote that is not a businessman. He is an advocate who is hoping to encourage a businessperson to act by instigating a community response which shows that such an investment may be worth it. I suspect a thoughtful businessperson would want to have the benefit of this information and other market research, than to pretend to know all the answers and run head-long into an unknown situation. Don't ya think??

^Not to quibble, but bike share programs are typically heavily subsidized non-profit/government operations, and I believe woman often hold leadership roles, so I don't think "businessman" is the word you were looking for there :)  But agreed on the need for some level of market research and a solid plan before proceeding.

 

More substantively, I actually think a bike share program could work well in Cleveland given the close proximity of Tremont, Ohio City, Downtown and Detroit Shoreway [not to mention the Coventry, Cedar Fairmount, UC cluster], especially if the bike connections are beefed up.  The proposed Detroit-Superior Bridge bike tunnel coupled with a curb separated bike lane down the wide part of West 25th would be an amazing bike connection between downtown and Ohio City.

 

KJP, I know it would take money, but operationally, how feasible do you think it would be for RTA to reconfigure it's tracks on the viaduct in a way that keeps them on the northern half the entire length?  With the WFL available for stacking cars at the end, would it be possible for RTA to lose it's track stubs on the viaduct? An extension of the Rotary Club's proposed Ohio City trail all the way to Tower City would be an astonishingly awesome bike/ped connection between the hearts of Ohio City and Downtown.

KJP, I know it would take money, but operationally, how feasible do you think it would be for RTA to reconfigure it's tracks on the viaduct in a way that keeps them on the northern half the entire length?  With the WFL available for stacking cars at the end, would it be possible for RTA to lose it's track stubs on the viaduct? An extension of the Rotary Club's proposed Ohio City trail all the way to Tower City would be an astonishingly awesome bike/ped connection between the hearts of Ohio City and Downtown.

 

Its operationally feasible, except when the Waterfront Line becomes a daily service. Rush hour Shaker trains will still need to be stacked someplace other than the Waterfront Line. The cost of moving tracks, switches and especially signaling apparatus is very expensive. It might cost less to add a cantilever for a bike path on the side of the RTA viaduct.

 

EDIT: I see one one switch that would have to be moved. That's probably a $500,000 to $1 million project right there. Moving track, plus electrical and communication wires around toward the Ohio City end adds some more expense (maybe another $250,000-$500,000?). Redoing the dispatching software is another huge expense (I don't know RTA's costs, but Norfolk Southern typically uses a placeholder of at least $1 million for changes to its computer-aided dispatching software -- yes, if you are studying to get into the IT field, become a transportation dispatching system programmer! You will be one of the few, the proud, the weathly). RTA might be able to do with having just one layover track on the bridge, but I don't know if that's correct. The RTA viaduct was built to be four track spaces wide at the Ohio City end and five track spaces wide at the Downtown end. RTA has spaced the layover tracks on the bridge to add a little extra space between layover tracks and mainline tracks for crews to have physical clearance to walk more safely. So if one of the layover tracks is removed, it opens up about 1.5 track spaces on the viaduct for a bike path. A Red Line car is 12 feet wide, so 1.5 is 18 feet wide. To provide some lateral clearances would mean that the widest a bike path across the bridge could be is probably 15 feet. Is that enough? Would RTA feel comfortable with that?

 

It could be even less costly and complicated to turn the subway deck of the Detroit-Superior bridge into a bikeway.

Cleveland's huge asset it has over a slew of Midwestern cities, but I can't say it's news that it's not being used, is that it has a pretty far-reaching rail transit to use in tandem with a bike share system. You can't ride a train to the Short North or Northside and rent a bike right outside the station, but if Cleveland were to get itself in gear it would be an easy city to explore without a car. A decent amount of stations Downtown and others strewn around further out would be a good start.

 

Looking back on this thread it's quite interesting to see how the city was so proactive in addressing end trip isues with bike parking, but six years later and the issue of getting to those racks has largely been left to hurt cycling in the city. It's really on urban enthusiasts to get Cleveland up to speed and all I can say is that if you're not clamoring for this now it's only because you haven't experienced it for yourself to know how much the city needs this right now. You're looking at about $8 million for start up and 1st year operation costs for a bike shae system, so it's a decent chunk of change up front. Bike lanes however, are much cheaper and that's even if they're on the high end due mainly to addressing pavement conditions before painting them. Here's how much ground bike lanes would cover if around $1.2 million was spent, an amount even Cleveland can easily afford, in just one year.

 

green - bike lanes

purple - bike boulevard connector

 

Quite expansive, huh? I even included bike lanes that connect a few RTA stations to dense business districts. That's what Cleveland could look like if that meager amount was spent for about 24 miles of bike lanes and arguably should have had looked like that at least a few years ago. I went with the highest estimated cost at $50,000 per mile according to the city of Minneapolis in 2011 instead of low-balling with the lowest figure of $30,000 per mile. Considering how huge of a transformation this would be, it's even more stunning that since Cleveland adopted bike lane design standards in 2004 that the city has a measly citywide total of just 8.5 miles of bike lanes as of 2012: an average of just over 1 mile of bike lanes added annually since they had a design guide specifically for these lanes. Now, I already know that Detroit Ave is getting bike lanes, but I included it on this fantasy map to show how it pales in comparison to how much more could be done for so little. Where are Clevelanders on this?

^ what you mention about people clamoring for it has only really been beginning to take shape in the past year.  Bike Cleveland has only be around for a year, and I still think they are getting their feet wet.  Before that I am not aware of a single group that was a mouth piece for urban bikers.  There are a couple of groups (Ohio City Bike Co-op, Century Cycles, etc) but their main focus was never entirely on advocacy.  So hopefully they can push the issue more directly. 

I'm surprised this wasn't posted in this thread (cool photo, btw)........

 

Cleveland must do more for growing crowd of cyclists, advocates say

Published: Saturday, September 08, 2012, 6:00 AM

By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Leah Sharkey bikes to work in heels, her saddlebags stuffed with a laptop, purse and lunch.

 

The 51-year-old clinical analyst for Medical Mutual has made the 15-minute trek from Tremont to downtown Cleveland for three years.

 

Two things are clear to Sharkey. The number of cyclists is exploding. And while the city is friendlier to bikes, Cleveland must do more to make streets safer for the two-wheeled crowd.

 

Leading bike advocates agree. Cleveland must do more to cater to the biking crowd, stocked as it is with professionals and young adults who mark a vibrant, creative city.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/09/cleveland_must_do_more_for_gro.html

Well, I was in front of Tower City today, about ten feet from my unlocked bike. That didn't stop a guy from from trying to steal it. He jumped on and started off fast but faded a block later.  Near E 4th I caught him and threw him off. Guy was yelling that I was stealing HIS bike. He was drooling, slurring his speech a little and I have no idea what that's a symptom of exactly.  It was a super nice day and so there were tons of people watching now. While walking the bike to get back to work he kept following me getting way in my personal space and we were shouting at each other. I finally convinced him to stop following me - by breaking his cell phone (he was having a fake conversation with the police). I was super pissed off, in all my years of working downtown this is my first altercation. Now I'm just sad about the whole thing.

That's unfortunate... There are very often several cops in front of Tower City. Too bad there didn't seem to be any around during this incident.

I finally convinced him to stop following me - by breaking his cell phone (he was having a fake conversation with the police).

 

Awesome.

Oh man, that stinks surf.  It's certainly great that you were able to grab your bike back and even exact a small measure of justice, but it must be totally unsettling to have gone through such a thing and to have had to act so aggressively.

Well, I was in front of Tower City today, about ten feet from my unlocked bike. That didn't stop a guy from from trying to steal it. He jumped on and started off fast but faded a block later.  Near E 4th I caught him and threw him off. Guy was yelling that I was stealing HIS bike. He was drooling, slurring his speech a little and I have no idea what that's a symptom of exactly.  It was a super nice day and so there were tons of people watching now. While walking the bike to get back to work he kept following me getting way in my personal space and we were shouting at each other. I finally convinced him to stop following me - by breaking his cell phone (he was having a fake conversation with the police). I was super pissed off, in all my years of working downtown this is my first altercation. Now I'm just sad about the whole thing.

Cool story, bro. Seriously!

 

Must have sucked to go through, but hey, you didn't lose your bike and you broke an asshole's cellphone.

I'm still bummed out about it the next day. I have no idea what this guy went through in life to become so desperate. But as always, there are a few things you guys might find amusing.

 

- When guy wouldn't stop yelling and close-following I actually did find a police officer. He was outside one of the food places on Euclid, on his cell phone. I carefully made sure he was a cop, as I didn't want to waste time with some parking lot security guard. His badge said "officer." So I explain to him what's going on and how the situation is deteriorating fast. Officer points to his sleeve and says "No. I'm a Federal officer. What you're describing is a City situation." Then casually goes back to talking on his cell phone, and laughing. Thanks officer!

 

- Maniac kept yelling that I didn't have "papers" to prove the bike was mine. That actually confounded me for a moment - I don't. Note to self: obtain official bike papers.

 

- Some classic dialogue:

 

Him: We're both white, so don't treat me like a f-ing (black!).

Me: Great, you're a bike thief AND a racist.

Him: I'm not racist, I'm Italian!

 

- I broke his cell phone the best way possible; by kicking it out of his hand. His phone flew in the air and shattered on Euclid. It distracted him enough and I crossed the street. I am stunned because I cannot believe that kick actually worked. He looked stunned too. When it happened there was an audible "Ooooh" from the crowd behind us (some maybe still thinking I'm the bike thief). If I'm ever unfortunate enough to be held at gunpoint, I won't do anything stupid....but I can't say I won't at least think about kicking it.

 

- Somebody made off with my lock during the altercation. I had to explain to co-workers why I had to bring the bike into the office. Boss was super cool, let me store it in an unused office. A friend noticed blood on my knuckles, assumed I punched the guy. I had to reluctantly explain that it was actually from wiping out in the parking garage that morning. Wet tires, smooth concrete, yada yadda. I may have a concussion.

 

- At the end of the day I went to grab the bike from the office, but it was missing. There was a ransom note.

 

 

 

 

 

Holy crap, what a story. BTW, I LOL'd at the last line about the ransom note. Happy to hear you got your bike bake, and the thief's uppance had come.

 

That said, if he was that determined, I'm surprised he didn't try to attack you to take it away. You're lucky there wasn't more physical interaction.

Whoa! That was pretty awesome... sad, but awesome. I really needed the laugh right now.

Glad it all worked out

 

- At the end of the day I went to grab the bike from the office, but it was missing. There was a ransom note.

 

???

Damn Surf, your like a Ninja with that kick... hmm....Surf Ninja

^ ha ha!

 

Okay, one practical thing that I wanted to mention. It's common sense but still, something I never really thought about.

 

If you're in a confrontation like that, you cannot just hop back on your bike and go. Again, I never envisioned it.

 

This is what Guy was daring me to do. Then, of course, I'd be vulnerable to be thrown off from behind just like I was able to do to him. Solution was to kind of walk sideways, tried to keep bike between me and him, call to surrounding people (and Federal Officer) to draw attention to what's going on.

 

I only wish I could've gotten a picture of this guy. My cell phone takes very blurry pics since I dropped it into the sink. Maybe someone iPhoned the whole thing?

I'm sure that in 2012, it was filmed and on Youtube as we speak.  Just do a search for "Guy steals bike and breaks cell phone of innocent victim", and I'm sure you'll find it.

Well, I was in front of Tower City today, about ten feet from my unlocked bike. That didn't stop a guy from from trying to steal it. He jumped on and started off fast but faded a block later.  Near E 4th I caught him and threw him off. Guy was yelling that I was stealing HIS bike. He was drooling, slurring his speech a little and I have no idea what that's a symptom of exactly.  It was a super nice day and so there were tons of people watching now. While walking the bike to get back to work he kept following me getting way in my personal space and we were shouting at each other. I finally convinced him to stop following me - by breaking his cell phone (he was having a fake conversation with the police). I was super pissed off, in all my years of working downtown this is my first altercation. Now I'm just sad about the whole thing.

 

I would have done the same thing!  I'm glad you stood up to this person.  Did you fill out a police report?

Cleveland's East 22nd Street project to receive $1.5 million in federal funding

Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer By Tom Breckenridge, The Plain Dealer

on October 26, 2012 at 5:40 AM, updated October 26, 2012 at 5:41 AM

 

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Millions of dollars needed to convert a bleak East Side boulevard into a livelier link between major institutions are falling into place.

 

Transportation planners have promised $1.5 million for East 22nd Street by 2014, to narrow the road, build a planted median and install bike lanes.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/10/clevelands_east_22nd_street_pr.html

I would have done the same thing!  I'm glad you stood up to this person.  Did you fill out a police report?

 

Minus the ninja kick! Pretty sure only surfohio and Chuck Norris could pull that off. This coming from a self-proclaimed (nati)ninja...

 

I'm still bummed out about it the next day. I have no idea what this guy went through in life to become so desperate. But as always, there are a few things you guys might find amusing.

 

I feel bad about enjoying the story so much, since it must have been so traumatic. Thanks for sharing, anyway.

I would have done the same thing!  I'm glad you stood up to this person.  Did you fill out a police report?

 

Minus the ninja kick! Pretty sure only surfohio and Chuck Norris could pull that off. This coming from a self-proclaimed (nati)ninja...

 

I'm still bummed out about it the next day. I have no idea what this guy went through in life to become so desperate. But as always, there are a few things you guys might find amusing.

 

I feel bad about enjoying the story so much, since it must have been so traumatic. Thanks for sharing, anyway.

 

Child Boo!

Cross-posted from the Cleveland RTA thread. This is a non-copyrighted piece......

 

http://bikecleveland.org/2012/11/26/rta-3-cool-things-for-bikes/

 

RTA: 3 cool things for bikes

by BIKE CLEVELAND on NOVEMBER 26, 2012

 

Thanks to a Twitter post from Bike Cleveland member Krissie Wells, and the initiative of Councilman Joe Cimperman, Bike Cleveland had the opportunity to meet with a few staff leaders at RTA this past week to talk about ways RTA and the biking community can work together. During our meeting we learned of some awesome bike-related things RTA is doing to make it easier for bikes to use transit:

 

1. RTA has purchased and will be installing bike racks on the buses that can accommodate 3 bikes, like this one. These will replace the two bike racks that we currently have increasing the capacity.

 

2. RTA will be installing a “bike gutter” on the steps of the rebuilt Mayfield Road Rapid Station, which will allow bikes to roll up the stairs, as opposed to be carried.

 

3. After January 1st RTA will be redesigning the interior of all the trains. Within this redesign they will be removing a few seats to better accommodate bikes. They will also install better signage telling cyclists where to park their bikes on the train. We will also be following up with RTA on ways to secure bikes on the trains, so cyclists do not have to hold them up while riding.

 

We were also informed that when you are biking if you have an experience with RTA, good or bad, that you would like to share, then e-mail RTA with the details (bus number, time, location, etc.) and it will be handled directly. The people to e-mail  are Michael York, Joseph Shaffer, and Joseph Calabrese. Be sure to copy [email protected] as well, so we can keep a record.

 

We are excited to see some improvements for cyclists who are interacting with RTA and look forward to continuing the conversation with RTA in the coming year.