Here's a photo of Madison Road with the reconfigured lanes.  This is just the first of two layers of asphalt, but they have to adjust all the manhole covers and drains and such before they do that final layer.   

 

Win!

 

Guess the letter-writing worked. :-)

Well so far yes, but there's still the chance of motorists raising a ruckus before the final paving and line painting is done, which could be a month away still. People need to ride AND drive the road in the meantime, then write the city to say how much better it is for both.  That should help balance out messages from those who are no doubt going to complain just because they don't like change. 

Are there any really good bike maps of Cincinnati? I'd love to take on a couple of its hills sometime.

Northern Kentucky guide:

http://www.oki.org/pdf/bike/bikemapfull.pdf

 

Cincinnati guide:

http://www.oki.org/elements/PDF/Transportation/2030RTP/2008_Plan_Update/Full%20Document.pdf

^ That second link is not correct.

 

Scrabble, go to this page and look at the top, where it says "Cincinnati 2009 Bike Route Guide", and there are three useful links:

http://www.oki.org/mapsdata/index.html

Whoops, thanks. Copy/pasted the wrong link while digging around their site this morning.

Hyde Park Neighborhood Council is having meeting on Wednesday evening, primarily to speak about the re-striping of Madison Road. I believe they invited city people to present. But from what I've heard, they're not excited about it.

 

7pm @ Knox Presbyterian Church, i believe.

Cincinnati quickly falls behind on bicycle transportation goals

By: Randy A. Simes, UrbanCincy.com

 

A year after Cincinnati approved massive bicycling reforms little progress has been made in terms of on-the-ground improvements. The city installed only 2.3 miles of on-street facilities in 2010, and currently only has a total of 15.6 miles of on-street facilities city-wide. The number pales in comparison to the Phase 1 goal of 91 miles of on-street facilities by 2015.

 

To meet the Phase 1 goal, Cincinnati will have to install 75.4 miles of on-street facilities over the next three years. That equates to approximately 25.1 miles annually which would be a 991 percent increase over what was accomplished in 2010.

 

Full story, external links and charts available here:

http://www.urbancincy.com/2011/02/cincinnati-quickly-falls-behind-on-bicycle-transportation-goals/

Cincinnati installed its second on-street bike corral last week. This one is located on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine near Park+Vine. The other location is in Northside across the street from Northside Tavern.

 

Full story and image here:

http://www.urbancincy.com/2011/02/cincinnati-to-install-second-on-street-bicycle-corral-in-otr/

^ I hope they actually installed it on Main, in front of a business. The Norwood one is just far enough out of the way that it usually makes more sense to park on the sidewalk closer to where you're going!

Yes, it's on Main Street just north of where 12th heads east. It was previously a no parking zone.

 

The one in Northside is directly across the street from many of the business attractions in Northside...so I'm not sure what your beef is there. Is it underutilized?

I don't see a lot of people using it, but I can't say I am there all that much. "Across the street" is an important phrase. When you can lock up to a pole on the same side of the street of the place you're going, most cyclists are inclined to do that. It's especially nice when you can watch your bike from the window of a shop or restaurant you're patronizing.

 

I think Quimbob criticized the location either on his blog or on this site. I'm inclined to agree with him. I don't see why they didn't just put it in front of the tavern. That would have been a far superior location, and it only costs one car spot for many bike spots.

 

It seems like they were hedging their bets that it might not get used, and so would be criticized for taking up a car spot. In doing so, they made it much less convenient and I would bet less used. Part of the appeal of cycling is parking directly outside where you're going, wherever that might be.

Well there was certainly push back for the first on-street bicycle parking in the city, and I think city staff tried to choose a less disruptive location while also providing a good location.

 

In Northside the issue is that at many times there are very few places to lock your bike, so the addition of this on-street parking would add significant capacity. I totally get what you're saying about keeping it within view, but that's going to be a problem regardless of where you site one of these since they don't extend the entire block or neighborhood business district stretch.

 

With all of that said, you're right, the west side of Hamilton Avenue right in front of Northside Tavern (or thereabouts) would have been a far superior location.

I agree with that - the times that I've been on a group ride, we've used the Northside corral, but I rarely saw more than one bike parked at it at a time. Most of the time, they hooked the bikes to the signs and fixtures along Hamilton in front of the businesses. Much more convenient, I suppose, and you avoid having to dart across Hamilton.

 

The Main Street corral is practically in front of Park+Vine, which is a good and visible location.

I'm wary of using a corral since it's in the street, but I'd be much more wary if it was on a busy street like Hamilton.  While no more vulnerable than a parked car I suppose, it just doesn't feel like a safe place to leave my bike when it can be behind the curb and away from fast traffic.  Also, does that stretch of Hamilton Avenue have rush-hour parking restrictions?  That would make the corral a no-go there. 

I am almost positive there are no rush hour restrictions there, and if there are then that's stupid.

 

I wouldn't worry about getting hit by a car using that corral. It's protected and sturdy (as the new one also appears to be).

 

Very glad to hear about the positioning on Main. In front of Park + Vine is the perfect spot. I think it will get much more use than the Northside one, due to its convenient location. Thanks, Sherman, for your anecdote about the Northside corral.

Hamilton has rush hour restrictions. They were actually expanded from 4-6 in both southbound and northbound right lanes to 3-6 just recently. Main Street - no.

I'd like to see a couple concrete poles protecting the Main Street corral. I can see it being taken out fairly easily by a tipsy driver or someone swerving to avoid a pedestrian (aka jaywalker), etc.

I think more permanent barriers, other than thermoplastic and the breakaway-plastic poles with reflectors, is needed at the bike corrals and at the motorcycle/scooter parking spaces in downtown.

Hamilton has rush hour restrictions. They were actually expanded from 4-6 in both southbound and northbound right lanes to 3-6 just recently. Main Street - no.

 

Huh. Okay, then I guess I see why Hamilton was not a viable place.

 

Then I guess I would advocate something like this along the sidewalk:

 

Google Maps

 

I wonder how the costs compare.

Main Street bike corral...

Sinkhole claims part of Middletown bike path

 

http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Sinkhole-claims-part-of-Middletown-bike-path/zUzE_6HY6UeCRWm1asQrVg.cspx

 

The new bike path, which extends for all of three blocks, along Mehring Way/US 27, is ready for use. Except that it really doesn't connect to anything, but it's a start. I'm curious as to how it will extend further east - I assume it will follow the former Cincinnati Street Connecting Railway tracks to the Boathouse, and then use a modified Riverside Drive, which has four or so options on the table for bike inclusion.

This photo was taken by Michael Providenti from the Bicycle Thursday Slow and Steady Ride group:

Main Street bike corral...

Couple cool Bike Month events on tap for this May:

http://www.urbancincy.com/2011/04/urbancincy-partners-with-cincinnati-to-organize-two-unique-bike-month-events/

I wanted to ask if anyone here knows about the following, proposed or under construction:

 

1) The Xenia-Jamestown Bikeway is currently a disconnected orphan between Jasper Rd on the west and the Fayette County Line on the eastern end (the eastern terminus is in the middle of a corn field.) I know that the segment from Xenia is perpetually under construction and "sometime real soon" they will cut a tunnel under Bypass 35 to join the Jasper Road part to Xenia. But is there any "real" (funded) plan to connect this segment to Washington Court House?

 

(Btw, I highly recommend this bikeway. It's about 14 miles  in length and while not terribly scenic, is peaceful, tree lined, and is far away from the madding crowd.)

 

2) A while back I read an extremely intriguing hint on a local cycling advocacy's web site about a proposed  bikeway that would run along the right of way of this abandoned railroad, from Morrow to Wilmington. This route is particularly scenic - in Warren County it is centered in the Todds Fork valley. I remember seeing signs back in the 80s at the road crossings for sale of the railroad right of way by Penn Central.  Does anyone know anything about this, like the name of the proposed bikeway?

You may want to get in touch with the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission.

 

http://www.mvrpc.org/transportation/bikeways-pedestrians

Dedicated bike lanes were installed on Martin Luther King Drive, Victory Parkway and Reading Road, last week:

 

 

Dedicated bike lanes were installed on Martin Luther King Drive, Victory Parkway and Reading Road, last week:

 

I think you mean on Martin Luther King, BETWEEN Victory and Reading. 

Is that on both sides?

 

It would take a lot to make MLK truly bike-friendly.

Yes it's on both sides, and they did a decent job of handling the right turn lanes at Victory and Gilbert.  That stretch of MLK that they road dieted a number of years ago has always been pretty easy to ride.  West of Reading is a whole other story though. 

Nice!

 

You all might want to check out CycleCincy and its forum: http://www.cyclecincy.com/

Dedicated bike lanes were installed on Martin Luther King Drive, Victory Parkway and Reading Road, last week:

 

I think you mean on Martin Luther King, BETWEEN Victory and Reading.

 

HAHA! Yes, that is what I meant to type.

Mitchell Ave: Wess Park Dr To Red Bud Ave

 

 

The City of Cincinnati is continuously looking for ways to improve quality of life for residents, and to enhance neighborhoods in ways that are more in line with our community's interests in walkable, bicycle-friendly and sustainable neighborhoods.

 

The City of Cincinnati is considering modifying the lane striping on the south side of Mitchell Avenue, between Wess Park Drive and Red Bud Avenue.

 

The section of Mitchell Avenue between Wess Park Drive and Red Bud Avenue currently has two lanes in each direction (an 11-foot travel lane and a 10-foot parking lane on each side of the street).

 

Parking is currently allowed 24-hours a day on both sides of Mitchell Avenue.

 

Studies from various times of day have found that on-street parking is lightly utilized and could be consolidated on one side of Mitchell Avenue.

 

The proposed lane configuration would include one 11-foot travel lane in each direction, 24-hour parking on the north side of Mitchell Avenue, and a bicycle lane on the south side of Mitchell Avenue.

 

This restriping would remove all parking on the south side of Mitchell Avenue between Wess Park Drive and Red Bud Avenue. Parking would still be available on the north side of Mitchell Avenue.

 

A bicycle lane on the south side of Mitchell Avenue would improve safety for slow-moving bicyclists who are traveling uphill. This bicycle lane would also enhance the connection through North Avondale to the bicycle lanes on Spring Grove Avenue and the shared-use path currently under construction on Dana Avenue.

 

In 2012 DOTE will be studying the feasibility of installing bicycle lanes on Mitchell Avenue from Red Bud Avenue east to Clinton Springs. Connecting these streets with bicycle facilities would make it easier for residents to use bicycles for transportation, exercise, and recreation.

 

View a drawing that illustrates the existing lane striping and the proposed lane striping.

 

The city is interested in your feedback, so please fill out the feedback form below by Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. You may also send your feedback to:

 

Chris Ertel, P.E.

Supervising Engineer, DOTE

City Hall, Room 450

Cincinnati, Oh 45202

 

DOTE will coordinate with the North Avondale Neighborhood Association in late January on any modifications to the proposed project.

 

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/mitchell/

I sent in feedback about this project yesterday, stating that I'd rather see bike lanes on both sides of the street rather than a buffered lane on the south side.  I got a response that nothing can be done north of the street centerline because that's in St. Bernard, and they are apparently completely opposed to doing anything to accommodate cyclists. 

I sent in feedback about this project yesterday, stating that I'd rather see bike lanes on both sides of the street rather than a buffered lane on the south side.  I got a response that nothing can be done north of the street centerline because that's in St. Bernard, and they are apparently completely opposed to doing anything to accommodate cyclists. 

 

What about making the buffered path two-way?

If it could be two-way AND buffered, then that might be an option, but what happens when you're going west/downhill against traffic and the bike lanes end?  Two-way bike lanes on roads tend to be trouble unless they're on a grid of one-way streets (think New York City), and are meticulously designed, especially at intersections.  A side path would really be better in that circumstance, but again, unless it's no-compromise continuous, getting into and out of the contraflow lane can be quite difficult.  There's only 10 or 11 feet to work with here, and you'd need at least 14 to have two bike lanes and a buffer anyway. 

Thanks Jeffrey for the feedback. I use Mitchell to get to Xavier by bike, so this project was an extreme disappointment for me. I, too, had sent in feedback to the city about it, and spoke to St. Benard about it, but they refused. Their reason? The buses and cars wouldn't be able to fit into the lane, despite that it'd be no more narrow than most of Cincinnati's and St. Benard's streets.

 

It's good the city is exploring options for the remainder, which needs repaving sorely.

 

As a cyclist, I am disappointed. The grade here is more than what you'd expect, and my average speed on MItchell between Vine and Clifton Springs/Reading is about 10 MPH. By comparison, my average speed up Gilbert from downtown is 12 MPH! Traffic is okay, but it's not ideal.

 

--

 

Whoops. Read the article and looks like parking could be consolidated. Good stuff!

I've not heard anything on updating Riverside Drive with bike lanes. The website states feedback was due by the end of October 2010...

Video of some guy biking around the center city on an electric bike. Pretty neat video:

 

Electric Bike Ride

Cincinnati wants cyclists to grade city on its bicycle infrastructure and policies

By: Randy A. Simes

 

he City of Cincinnati is looking for bicyclists to share their thoughts about how the city is progressing with its bicycling infrastructure and policies. From now until December 31 bicyclists can give their feedback to the Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE) about what would make them feel safer and use their bicycle more often.

 

In 2010 bicyclists gave the city an overall grade of “C” for its progress, just as they did in 2009, and city officials are hoping the feedback can help guide policy decisions to improve the atmosphere for bicycling in Cincinnati.

 

“We’re working to create a bicycle friendly city, so that Cincinnatians of all ages and abilities can use bicycles for everyday trips,” stated DOTE director Michael Moore. “The report card survey is a great tool for publicly measuring our progress.”

http://city-egov.cincinnati-oh.gov/Webtop/ws/council/public/child/Blob/34189.pdf?rpp=-10&m=1&w=doc_no%3D%27201200036%27

^ Broken link.

 

Edit: Huh, now it worked. :?

 

Good news! This could allow a drastic reduction in space dedicated to parking. Especially if spaces on the sidewalk can count.

^ Broken link.

 

Edit: Huh, now it worked. :?

 

Good news! This could allow a drastic reduction in space dedicated to parking. Especially if spaces on the sidewalk can count.

 

^^that passed out of committee today

Do you know if putting a rack for, say, 10 bikes on the sidewalk in front of a store would subtract 5 car spaces under the proposed zoning amendment? Assuming it's kosher to put the rack there. (Which maybe is never the case? Except I know there are some, e.g. in front of the coffee shop on Central Pkwy.)

 

Also, why the special stipulation for Downtown Development districts? Because of a perceived lack of (car) parking?

 

If developers are smart, they will see this as a great loophole in parking requirements. It's pretty easy and cheap to squeak in a few bike parking spots, while it's expensive and often difficult to fit in car spaces (plus the required driveway space to access them, etc.).

 

This is a very good thing! Parking requirements are silly -- businesses, developers and landlords can build the number of spaces they foresee a need for, motivated by the desire for customers/buyers/renters. While I'd like to see the parking requirements abolished outright, this amendment both makes the space requirement situation better and supports the bike-friendliness of the city. (With no cost to the city! Win!)

Riverside Drive Bike Lanes Officially Delayed

City's Department of Transportation says delays could last up to two years

By Hannah McCartney - CityBeat

 

The last time we reported on the Riverside Drive bike lane project, Cincinnati’s Department of Transportation was considering postponing the long-awaited project because of future construction on I-471.

 

The delay is official. According the WVXU (91.7 FM), the city’s Transportation and Engineering Director, Michael Moore, told Laurie Keleher, the city liaison with the East End Area Council, in an email that the project was indefinitely postponed. The delay, said the email, could range from a year to two years.

 

The idea for Riverside Drive bike lane project came about in summer 2011. Bike transportation proponents argue that the installation of bike lanes on Riverside Drive is a crucial step into making the street a safe channel for commute and leisure for East End residents.

 

Cont

^ This would be okay if they could then divert some of the 471 budget to extending the bike lane. Seems like a fair trade, and something that could be leveraged somehow. Maybe not.

 

I wish Cincinnati had a cycling philanthropist who would fund the build-out of the riverfront trail and the Mill Creek greenway. These projects are going at such a snail's pace already, and now this delay makes it even worse.

The Interstate 471 construction is in Kentucky, and involves rebuilding pavement from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The bridge decks are also being rehabilitated. This coordinates with the Interstate 275 rehabilitation between the Ohio River and Dixie Pike. I haven't seen the impacted traffic plans yet, but I assume that one entire side of the interstate will be closed (e.g. northbound, then southbound) to facilitate quicker reconstruction, or lanes closed. Either way, it's a major commuter impact, but I'm disappointed that there will be no bike lane for another year or two on a too-fast Riverside Drive.

City requests citizen input on Bike Lanes on Spring Grove Avenue from Hopple to Ralston

 

"The 2010 Bicycle Transportation Plan designates Spring Grove Avenue as a priority corridor for the installation of bikeways. The Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) has prepared preliminary plans to restripe Spring Grove Avenue from Avon Place (near Hopple Street) to the Mill Creek Greenway Trail (near Millcreek Road)."

 

More, map & feedback form:

 

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bikes/springgrove.cfm

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