About the Cincy article, it looks a bit too negative. A lot of the same could be said for Columbus, but going from urban neighborhood to neighborhood is quite easy particularly on side streets. Looking at google maps, Cincinnati seems to have the same deal and the roads that are bad for bikes are those going over highways or a river, since you basically have to go on a major road. Our downtowns are both isolated by highways with few options that beginners would want to take. But much like I said earlier, going between different neighborhoods isn't a challenge and getting around within an urban neighborhood is very easy.

 

If you're serious about it, you can easily fit it into your routine, but the article would rather bitch about what's not there while not mentioning any of the positives which will just scare off more people from cycling. Corryville is an urban neighborhood and as such bike-lanes are out of place there. I can't believe that a senior engineer and an "avid cyclist" would be implementing wider lanes. Wider lanes = cars passing within a foot. I've learned too many times from personal experience that on wide roads cars will not use that extra room to pass safely, you have to be right in front of them. He mentioned that forcing cars to change lanes is risky, but there's always a risk since you're not encased in thousands of pounds of steel. Why you'd want cars to pass in the same lane and turn right in front of you at intersections is beyond me. If you ride as if there is a bike lane this will happen to you too, which is why I take the lane. And getting a mirror is a good idea.

 

From Orlando Bike Commuter Blog

 

I also blogged on curb-huggers and how bike-lanes don't belong in an urban environment.

 

Here's my pic from DC.

 

About the Cincy article, it looks a bit too negative. A lot of the same could be said for Columbus, but going from urban neighborhood to neighborhood is quite easy particularly on side streets. Looking at google maps, Cincinnati seems to have the same deal and the roads that are bad for bikes are those going over highways or a river, since you basically have to go on a major road. Our downtowns are both isolated by highways with few options that beginners would want to take. But much like I said earlier, going between different neighborhoods isn't a challenge and getting around within an urban neighborhood is very easy.

 

If you're serious about it, you can easily fit it into your routine, but the article would rather bitch about what's not there while not mentioning any of the positives which will just scare off more people from cycling. Corryville is an urban neighborhood and as such bike-lanes are out of place there. I can't believe that a senior engineer and an "avid cyclist" would be implementing wider lanes. Wider lanes = cars passing within a foot. I've learned too many times from personal experience that on wide roads cars will not use that extra room to pass safely, you have to be right in front of them. He mentioned that forcing cars to change lanes is risky, but there's always a risk since you're not encased in thousands of pounds of steel. Why you'd want cars to pass in the same lane and turn right in front of you at intersections is beyond me. If you ride as if there is a bike lane this will happen to you too, which is why I take the lane. And getting a mirror is a good idea.

 

I'd say that it's your response that's negative and biased.  I just rode today,as I mentioned, and I did what I could to stay to the very right of the right lane (when there was more than one lane), or I just rode the shoulder line.  Cars and trucks either went around me or used the other side of the lane to get around.  Riding around Corryville, Walnut Hills, Clifton, Northside...it's all the same.  Sure, I've run into a few individuals who will honk, but it's really seldom.  I think that if you're showing that you're willing to share the road just as much as you expect them, things tend to work out.

One more thing.  Are you advocating more for designated lanes rather than bike-exclusive lanes?  They most certainly have them in Chicago and Bloomington, to name a couple.

Cincinnati needs those bike lifts on steep hills that they have in Norway. Here's an award for the steepest bike ride in San Fran with a grade of 38%, I get nervous just thinking about it. Looking at 127 in downtown Mt Healthy I would take the lane without hesitation. You may feel safer along the curb, but that's a false sense of security since riding on the curb opens the door various dangers that don't exist when riding in the middle of the lane, ie acting like a car. No ifs, ands, or buts. I'm having trouble seeing exactly where on 127 you start, but from the park northbound it looks like there are side streets which I would take over a main road whenever possible.

I heard some talk that they wanted to put one of those lift elevators on Sycamore St., which is a serious hill with a grade around 15% and a lift of 200+ feet.  If I'm on a short ride, I can haul up the whole thing in a middle gear.  Unfortunately the top isn't the top and you're stuck still climbing for another quarter mile at a milder grade. 

 

Pittsburgh actually has the steepest hill in the US, with a 37% grade for one block.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canton_Ave

 

I think I read the steepest street in Cincinnati is about 19% for one or two blocks, but there are definitely steeper and higher climbs across the river in Kentucky.     

Cincinnati needs those bike lifts on steep hills that they have in Norway. Here's an award for the steepest bike ride in San Fran with a grade of 38%, I get nervous just thinking about it. Looking at 127 in downtown Mt Healthy I would take the lane without hesitation. You may feel safer along the curb, but that's a false sense of security since riding on the curb opens the door various dangers that don't exist when riding in the middle of the lane, ie acting like a car. No ifs, ands, or buts. I'm having trouble seeing exactly where on 127 you start, but from the park northbound it looks like there are side streets which I would take over a main road whenever possible.

 

What I didn't include earlier is that I take the sidewalks through Fairfield, until I get past 275.  Then I take the lane until about NCH.  Mostly I just want to avoid the crazy people getting on and off Cross County.  I rejoin the road before I hit Mt. Airy.

 

My route is at the city and county buildings in Hamilton, to the bike trail, down to Joe Nuxhall Dr.  Then crossing over to Pleasant Ave (US 127) to Clifton on Ludlow.

If I remember correctly, a preliminary plan called for the paths to connect to the rail trails to the east?

 

Plan ties paths for walking, bicycling

Proposal for West Chester Township

By Amber Ellis, Cincinnati Enquirer, October 16, 2008

 

WEST CHESTER TWP. - A plan is in the works to create new paths and link existing ones for pedestrians and cyclists.

 

The West Chester Connections Plan, which was presented to the public Tuesday night, is a long-term plan that specifies several non-vehicle routes throughout the township.

Cycling advocates push for better facilities, planning

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/qcbhearing1028.aspx

 

One-hundred twenty-five cycling advocates attended a meeting of Cincinnati City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee last week to discuss how to bring better bicycle facilities to the city and the city's need to update its 32-year-old bicycle plan.

 

Queen City Bike, a collaboration of several local pro-bicycling organizations, led several group rides to City Hall and supplied many of the hearing's 31 speakers.

 

"From the overall perspective of Queen City Bike, we're still working on a formal mission statement, but we basically want greater access to walking, bicycling and mass transit in the region; a reduction in bicycle crashes; and a metro that recognizes bicycling and other non-motorized means as a healthy way to get around," Dan Korman says.

 

Much of the discussion concerned the redesign of Interstate 75 and how it can better accommodate multiple modes of transportation.

 

"We believe the I-75/Hopple St interchange is an example of how Complete Streets legislation is too often denigrated," Joseph Schuchter says.  "We're tired of bike pedestrian infrastructure being an opt-in.  We want plans for I-75, and all public projects for that matter, to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure.  A fight should not be part of the protocol."

 

Queen City Bike members agree unanimously that Cincinnati’s bicycle planning is well behind that of competitive cities.

 

"It's embarrassing that Cincinnati's bicycle plan is 30-years-old and that little has been done to make bicycling a priority in transportation projects," Korman says.

 

"We're playing catch up, and although alternative transportation is being recognized, I’m still unable to say that we're moving at a pace I’d like to see," Schuchter says.  "Until there is a commitment to update our bicycle plan, merge SORTA and TANK into a seamless and truly Metropolitan system, and stop building highways and adding lanes, the synergies of multiple modes of alternative transportation will not be realized."

 

Subcommittee chair Roxanne Qualls has said that input received at the public hearings will be considered by highway designers and planners.

I really wish that Cincinnati would paint sharrows on bike routes where bike lanes aren't possible.

Group wants more bike-friendly city

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090112/NEWS01/301120081/1055/NEWS

 

A committee of local leaders and bicycle advocates has begun working to steer the Cincinnati region onto the national map for bicycle-friendly communities.

 

No Ohio city is on the bicycle-friendly communities list of the League of American Cyclists, a respected bicycle advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that was founded in 1880 as the League of Wheelmen.

I had a bicycling mishap on the way to work this morning -- my toe clip actually broke off because of the cold!  It's one of those strap toe clips, not a lock-in one.  I was a half hour early for work and only one block away when it happened so it didn't cause a problem. 

 

I haven't yet driven to work in 2009 and have been freaking people out by riding in as though it's 72 degrees out although it's really not that bad.  The only technical problem I've been having in the snow is having the brakes freeze up when it gets under 10.  Even though I keep the bike inside at home and at work, it doesn't take long for them to freeze close to solid, but I haven't had them completely lock up. 

You have the best stories.  You're like a well-traveled grandpa minus 50 years.

Newport plans Levee bike path

City seeks $880K grant for its trails

By Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, January 28, 2009

 

NEWPORT - Newport will seek a federal grant to build a bike path along the riverfront in front of Newport on the Levee.

 

The city held a public hearing this week regarding the application for the $880,000 grant.

Riverfront Commons would bring $1.5B in investment, 4,000 jobs to NKY

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/riverfrontcommons0310.aspx

 

Hundreds of Northern Kentucky business leaders and lawmakers heard the most recent plans for the Riverfront Commons project, but were warned that hard work would be needed to secure its funding.

 

Billed as "a nationally-recognized amenity and destination", Riverfront Commons would consist of a multi-use trail linking Northern Kentucky's river cities and offering connections to Cincinnati via the Purple People Bridge, to the proposed Licking River Greenway, and to the Boone County park system.

 

"We believe that if Northern Kentucky can creatively link all of our riverfront cities and riverfront assets, the entry points into our cities and regional parks, and the connecting points to Cincinnati's riverfront, that we can create the most exciting riverfront experience in the Midwest," says Bill Scheyer, president of Southbank Partners, which is leading the initiative.

 

Roger Peterman, chair of Southbank's Riverfront Commons Committee, says that the project represents $60 million in shovel-ready infrastructure that will stimulate $1.5 billion in private investment and create 4,000 permanent jobs.

 

With Riverfront Commons in the works since 2005, the committee was intrigued when the $787 billion federal economic stimulus package was announced.

 

"We determined that this project was the definition of economic stimulus, and this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform Northern Kentucky through a project like this," Peterman says.

 

"Competition from all over this nation is already fierce," says Southbank member Jay Buchert.  "A full-time commitment will be required to secure the funding necessary for us to achieve success.  We are going to have to work very hard – and very smart."

 

To fight for funding, Southbank has enlisted the services of 20/20 Strategies, a new partnership of "fresh off the bench" talent that is intimately familiar with the appropriations process and has developed deep and meaningful contacts in Washington.

 

The cost to hire lobbyists, legal and consulting services, and preliminary engineering for the first year is estimated at $335,000, Buchert says.

 

Peterman believes that the project is near the top of the list when compared to the thousands of other projects seeking funding.

 

"We have a Corps of Engineers study that shows the economic impact that will occur as a result of this development," he says.  "This is a Corps of Engineers project, which opens up a whole new avenue of funding that's unique for our region."

Bike lanes coming to Spring Grove Avenue

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/03/bike-lanes-coming-to-spring-grove_18.html

 

In a press conference yesterday at Cincinnati City Hall, Council Member Greg Harris announced that Spring Grove Avenue would receive two miles of dedicated bike lanes as part of a planned roadway repaving effort set for the spring. The bike lane would connect downtown and the western fringe of the core to Clifton and Northside.

 

Those who spoke at the press conference included Kathy Holwadel, Chair of Cincinnati's Bike/PAC, who voiced strong support for the measure. As a regular commuter that takes her along Spring Grove Avenue, she noted that while the road is relatively safe, a dedicated lane would let drivers know that cyclists are part of the road much like an automobile.

 

Gary Wright, a spokesman for Queen City Bike, stated that the inclusion of the bike lane would be a step in the right direction in making Cincinnati's neighborhoods and streets livable and green, environmentally friendly and safe. He continued by stating that the bike lanes is a direction that the city and neighborhoods must exploit for the future as a healthy, environmentally friendly transportation alternative to the automobile, confirmed in countless surveys that clearly show that citizens desire methods of transport that do not include a car.

 

Reactions, to the announcement, have been generally positive. Local transit enthusiast and avid bicyclist Jake Mecklenborg is pleased with the announcement but says the best solution would ultimately be a completely separate bike path divided by a barrier for safety purposes.

 

Lauren Sullivan, who has spearheaded the nationally acclaimed New Orleans cycling map project (NolaCycle), told UrbanCincy that she supports the lanes because they add visibility to the cyclist, although she noted that dedicated bike lanes were not entirely necessary due to the excessive width and lack of traffic of Spring Grove Avenue. Lauren went on to say that bike lanes should be appropriated on hills where bike and automobile conflicts are more likely, following with cross-town routes. In addition, she voiced comment for the installation of "Share the Road" and other associated bike signage and shared lane striping along Central Parkway, a popular cycling route.

 

Finally, John Hoebbel, an architecture student at DAAP, said that the inclusion of the bike lane would "enhance the natural connection between downtown and Northside," adding that the lane is ideal due to Spring Grove Avenue's relative flatness.

 

Personally, I am in full support of the bike lane measure, and of similar attempts elsewhere. After having biked Spring Grove Avenue yesterday as part my usual training route, I find that the route is underutilized for both automobiles and cyclists, passing only a handful of trucks and cars and four cyclists. It is also overly wide, and I had no trouble staying within my lane as there is a wide shoulder and parking lane for most of the route. That said, the benefit of physical striping to denote a bike lane and the inclusion of additional lanes in the future, will only benefit cyclists while encouraging more to get out on the bike and enjoy the inherent benefits of cycling.

 

See below for the press conference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYvFn_usg4g&feature=player_embedded

I really wish that Cincinnati would paint sharrows on bike routes where bike lanes aren't possible.

Ask and you shall receive...

 

'Sharrows' coming to Cincy

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090318/NEWS0108/303180037/1055/NEWS

 

Sharrows soon will be coming to Cincinnati streets.

 

The city’s doing a pilot project this spring that will use sharrows – those are double arrows painted on the pavement above an outline of a bicycle – to encourage drivers to share the road on streets that are too narrow for a full bicycle lane.

 

The sharrows also help bicyclists know what areas are safer, where they might avoid being hit by people opening car doors. City officials hope to be the first Ohio city to use them. Locations for the sharrows have not been chosen. To help the city decide, go to www.cincinnati-oh.gov/sharrows or e-mail [email protected].

 

OKI bike plan updated, Cincinnati's moving forward

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/05/oki-bike-plan-updated-cincinnatis.html

 

The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) has updated its 1993 regional bike plan, identifying problems and making recommendations to improve bicycling conditions in the counties of Boone, Butler, Campbell, Clermont, Hamilton, Kenton and Warren.

 

Developed by OKI staff and an advisory committee of cyclists, transportation engineers, recreation planners, and local officials, the 91-page report summarizes current bicycling conditions, looks at planning goals and objectives, develops strategies and recommendations, and sets clear guidelines for implementation.

 

It also provides a structure for evaluating OKI's progress.

 

Because national transportation policies such as ISTEA and TEA-21 have provided a mandate – and funding – for the integration of bicycling as a component of the regional transportation system and because of a national trend toward more compact, walkable development, the report says that bicycling should be considered equivalent to all other modes of transportation during the planning process.

 

"It is the vision of this Regional Bicycle Plan that vehicular travel by bicycle become an integral mode of travel both by its inclusion in OKI's regional transportation planning process, as well as by its consideration as a choice for trip-making by residents of the OKI region," the report says.

 

The report says that a major catalyst for the growth of regional bicycling is the development of a network of shared-use paths such as the Little Miami Scenic Trail, The Great Miami River Trail, the Mill Creek Greenway, and the Ohio River Trail.

 

Although these paths are primarily used for recreational trips, the report says that the construction, extension, and connection of the trails should be encouraged.

 

"Their value for utilitarian travel will increase as they are extended through and connected to population centers," it says.

 

More general recommendations include better safety improvements along roads and bridges, more bicycle parking facilities, and the integration of bicycling with public transportation.

 

City of Cincinnati plans

In Cincinnati, a working group composed of City staff and representatives from advocacy groups Bike/PAC and Queen City Bike is currently defining the scope of the Cincinnati Bike Plan and working to select a consultant.

 

The group will be looking into incorporating bike lanes, trails, bicycle parking, signage, and sharrows into the City's infrastructure.

 

This month, as part of National Bike Month, installation of sharrows will begin along the Clifton/Ludlow/Jefferson corridor and on Madison Road.

 

Installation of "Share the Road" signage also will begin along Spring Grove Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, and Riverside Drive.

 

BTW, May is bike month here in Cincy.  You can stay connected with all the bike month activities by visiting Queen City Bike - http://queencitybike.blogspot.com/.  The Cincinnati Mercantile Library has also been ferociously covering the activities of Bike Month on their blog - http://cincinnatimercantile.wordpress.com/.  Check out the Mercantile Library's specific Bike Month mapping efforts here.

 

Here is some info on the "Deals on Wheels" Bike Month specials.  Click on the link below to see the list of participating businesses and their discounts.

 

Bike Month means Deals on Wheels

http://queencitybike.blogspot.com/2009/04/bike-month-means-deals-on-wheels.html

"Queen City Bike has teamed up with local business owners to encourage Cincinnatians to bike up a storm in May for National Bike Month. "Deals on Wheels" is a chance to get special offers all through the month of May just for biking to some of your favorite shops and restaurants."

May means it's bike month in Cincinnati

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0512bikemonth.aspx

 

As Cincinnati strives to become a more bike friendly city, the local bike community continues to grow and become more active.  Recent victories include the announcement of dedicated bike lanes on Spring Grove Avenue when it is repaved in the near future, the start of a new “sharrow” pilot program that will study a variety of bike corridors throughout the city to determine which ones are best suited for “sharrows” and an update to the City’s Bike Plan is currently underway.

 

The dedicated bike lane along Spring Grove Avenue will further connect the neighborhoods of Downtown and Northside, and will allow bicyclists to safely and quickly travel through the Mill Creek Valley on their way to or from the center city.

 

“Sharrows” are marked lanes that are used to indicate to motorists that bicyclists do indeed share the road and help provide a safer environment for bicyclists to navigate congested city streets.  These sharrows are used throughout much of the United States, but have yet to be embraced in Ohio, which has recently been ranked as the 32nd best state for bicyclists.

 

The hopes are that these new initiatives will illustrate support for bicyclists and encourage higher rates of bicycling in the Cincinnati region. But even with these new initiatives, many hurdles still exist for Cincinnati bicyclists.  Support facilities like lockers and showers are virtually non-existent, many bicyclists still do not ride on the streets with vehicular traffic and ample riding and parking space continue to be issues faced by bicyclists.

 

Sherman Cahal is the owner of the local bicycling forum known as Cincy Rides and regularly participates in the grass-roots rides known as Critical Mass – both of which are meant to engage the local bicycling community and keep communication open for their efforts.  Cahal has attempted to further network the local bicycling community in a way that will hopefully create new and innovative solutions to many of the problems still faced in Cincinnati with regards to bicycling.

 

May is also National Bike Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate bicycling and bring awareness to its causes in the Cincinnati-area. This year’s Bike Month includes a variety of events and activities geared towards getting Cincinnati-area bicyclists out on the streets and being visible.  One such activity is Deals on Wheels where dozens of local businesses are offering discounts and special deals for those who bicycle to their businesses.

 

This coming Thursday marks the Cincinnati Bike to Work Day where cyclists are strongly encouraged to get out and bicycle to work.  The efforts of getting people to bicycle to work are largely centered on support facilities like lockers and showers that are currently not found in Cincinnati.

 

To get involved with Bike Month activities in Cincinnati, you can visit Queen City Bike for regular updates on events, activities and specials.  This involvement is important as the local bicycling community moves forward and spreads the word about their beloved means of transportation.

 

“The bicycle is perhaps the cleanest mode of transport for any measurable distance, and nothing remains as pure or as spirited as the natural elegance of a bike ride,” says Cahal.

Dohoney: Spring Grove bike lanes need more study

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/05/dohoney-spring-grove-bike-lanes-need.html

 

Earlier this month, Cincinnati city manager Milton Dohoney Jr. reported in a memo to City council that a "one size fits all" approach to adding dedicated bicycle lanes to Spring Grove Avenue isn't workable, and the idea will require more study as part of the Cincinnati Bike Plan planning process.

 

The report was in response to a March 16 motion introduced by councilmember Greg Harris that the City should include a bicycle connection between Spring Grove Village and Downtown as part of a Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) project to improve safety and aesthetics along the roadway between Winton Road and W Mitchell Avenue.

 

The project, currently out for bid and scheduled to begin later this year, would address specifically the intersection of Spring Grove Avenue and Winton Road, which has the highest number of traffic accidents in the City.

 

It would also address infrastructure needs by installing approximately 6,000 square feet of rain gardens, 78 new street trees, and three new water mains, resulting in the removal of over 18,000 square feet of paved surface and the reduction of rainwater overflows into the storm sewer and nearby Mill Creek.

 

Continuity and consistency are key

As a principal arterial and alternate route to I-75 that carries between 17,000 and 33,000 vehicles per day within its various segments, Spring Grove Avenue is likely to be identified in the Cincinnati Bike Plan as one of the most important bicycle corridors in the City.

 

But Dohoney cautions that the City will need to evaluate segments of the roadway individually based on factors such as right-of-way widths, traffic volumes, accident records, driveways and access, and adjacent land uses.

 

"Due to the significant variances of these factors, the Administration expects that several types of bicycle facilities will be recommended in order to create a safe, continuous corridor for bicycles," Dohoney says. "It is also important that these considerations be balanced with the need to provide a level of consistency and continuity for the bike facilities along the corridor. Facilities need to be consistent and clearly understood by the cyclists and motorists along the corridor from St. Bernard to Downtown."

 

The project area

DOTE originally studied the inclusion of dedicated bike lanes during the design phase of the project, but found potential conflicts with dual left- and right-turn lanes at Clifton Avenue and at Winton Road.

 

"It was thought that bike lanes are not the most appropriate facility to accommodate cyclists for this particular segment of Spring Grove Avenue," Dohoney says. "Similarly, side paths were considered to be less than desirable due to the number of driveways and the safety concerns they present. At the time, the planned adjacent Mill Creek Trail was also thought to provide a safer alternative for cyclists through this segment of the corridor."

 

Preliminary studies showed other problems as well.

 

"Inclusion of bike lanes will require the removal of on-street parking between Winton and Clifton and will also require the loss of five feet of green space and rain garden from each side of the roadway, thus reducing the stormwater benefits of the project," Dohoney says.

 

And as one traverses Spring Grove Avenue southbound to Northside, one encounters narrower roads, more on-street parking, and heavier bus traffic.

 

Heavy truck parking and traffic presents problems through Camp Washington and multiple left-turn lanes appear closer to Queensgate, Dohoney says.

 

Funding could be lost

The addition of dedicated bike lanes could also postpone the project bidding process, require a complete redesign, and hinder plans to replace three water mains, which could cause the City to lose $2.8 million in Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) funding if the project isn't under contract by October.

 

Missing out on the contract could even damage future OPWC requests, Dohoney says.

 

"The City often uses these OPWC funds for our local matching funds to federal funding sources, including Surface Transportation Program funds, and loss of these funding opportunities would restrict DOTE’s abilities to leverage and maximize other funding sources for City projects," he says.

 

Temporary solutions

Even with all of these issues, Dohoney says that the City's committed to making Spring Grove Avenue an important link for cyclists to travel between the City's neighborhoods.

 

"DOTE believes it is imperative that bicycles be accommodated along the Spring Grove corridor," he says.

 

Dohoney recommends a series of signs, sharrows, and guide markings along the route as a temporary, low-cost safety measure.

 

"The Administration also recommends that the corridor be studied in depth and options vetted through the Bike Plan public participation process, and that a series of stakeholder group recommendations be presented to Council before the completion of the Cincinnati Bike Plan," he says.

 

Construction of the Spring Grove Avenue improvement project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

 

Clifton survey

DOTE also is launching a sharrows pilot project along Ludlow and Jefferson avenues in Clifton, and has put together a short, five-question survey to gauge the baseline skills and knowledge of resident cyclists and non-cyclists.

2009 Cincinnati Bike Route guide released

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/05/2009-cincinnati-bike-route-guide.html

 

The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) has released the 2009 Cincinnati Bike Route Guide, and it's now available in print or online (PDF).

 

Prepared by OKI with assistance from the City of Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering, Bike/PAC, the Cincinnati Cycle Club, and other area bicyclists, the map covers most of Hamilton County in Ohio and the northern parts of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky.

 

Important points of interest such as preferred routes, bicycle lanes, hills, and bicycle racks are included.

 

Print copies can be obtained by contacting Don Burrell at [email protected].

 

OKI says that an interactive version of the map is coming soon.

 

They sell the maps at Park+Vine and some of the local cycling shops. Well worth having if you are new to the area.

I did a long loop today on Cincinnati's east side, and while going through a traffic light at 5th and Vine (I had the right-of-way), a police officer yelled out, "See! Even this cyclist is wearing a helmet!" And he was pointing to me, referring to my helmet usage while yelling to a motorcyclist. I thought that was hilarious :D

 

No helmet = asking for trouble.

Justice is at least served, although the cyclist has not been reimbursed for his losses. I hope he had the bike insured! People like Rasheena simply do not need a car -- a privilege to drive, not a right.

 

Judge: 'Why do you need a car?'

By Kimball Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, May 19, 2009

 

Brad Greenberg couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

 

The Hamilton County Municipal Court judge had Rasheena Greene standing before him – again – and she was charged with driving without a license – again.

Queen City Art Racks Poster by Visualingual

http://visualingual.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/queen-city-art-racks-poster-by-visualingual/

 

In an effort to bring green public art to the Queen City, ArtWorks is planning Queen City Art Racks as an ongoing public art project. Of course, to promote this effort, the coolest poster ever was needed. Thus, Michael designed this, and I helped him print it on chipboard.

 

Queen City Art Racks is a project of functional artist-designed bike racks that will be installed in locations throughout the Cincinnati region. Artists are invited to help make the Queen City a more creative and greener region by submitting ideas for these sculptural bike racks that will celebrate and enhance the character and utility of our communities. Artists, designers, sculptors and bicycle enthusiasts living in the Cincinnati region may submit proposals as teams or individuals. Multiple submissions are welcome.

 

I’m bragging about the poster mostly, but I also hope all area creative types will consider submitting proposals for this unique project. Complete details and an RFP are here.

 

Sharrows coming to a street near you

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0526sharrows.aspx

 

As part of Cincinnati’s effort to become more bicycle friendly, the city's streets will soon see the installation of blue “Share the Road” signs in three high priority cycling corridors.

 

The three initial corridors to receive the new signs will be Hamilton and Spring Grove avenues near the bicycle-heavy Northside neighborhood and Riverside Drive through the East End neighborhood.

 

This will be the first time these “Share the Road” signs have been used in Ohio and are meant to remind motorists to expect bicyclists on these streets.  City law currently directs adult cyclists to ride in the street with the flow of vehicular traffic and not on the sidewalks.

 

“These signs are an easy way to promote cycling as a viable means of transportation and are part of our effort to increase transportation choices in Cincinnati,” says the interim director of the city’s Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE), Michael Moore.

 

The new “Share the Road” signs are just the beginning of things to come. Over the summer, the city’s DOTE will launch a city-wide Bike Plan process that will create a comprehensive plan for bicycle infrastructure and programming.

 

In addition to the new signage and city-wide Bike Plan, the city will also begin the installation of  sharrows in a variety of locations. Sharrows are employed in the absence of a dedicated bicycle lane and are painted zones on the road that illustrate where cyclists will be riding.

 

Sharrows provide a safely marked area for bicyclists who often feel compelled to ride closer to parked cars in order to put distance between themselves and moving traffic.  This often times creates a situation where bicyclists are “doored” by people opening a car door from a parked vehicle and can cause serious injury.

 

Based on feedback the city received from an online survey, sharrows will be installed this week along the following corridors:

 

• Clifton Avenue (McMillan Street to Ludlow Avenue)
  
• Ludlow Avenue (Bowdle Place to Clifton Hills)
  
• Ludlow/Jefferson/Nixon Avenues (Clifton Avenue to Vine Street)
  
• Madison Road (Beechcrest Lane to Torrence Parkway)

 

Following these initial installations, the City plans on studying the effectiveness of the sharrows. Results will be reported to the Federal Highway Administration in June of 2010.  The information collected will also be used to make future decisions on whether or not to install additional sharrows throughout the city.

 

Sharrows are currently being used or studied in a number of U.S. cities including Columbus, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky nearby.

 

Pictures (courtesy of city's DOTE) of the first sharrows installed along Clifton Avenue.

 

 

Why can't we get actual lanes?  Is this too much to ask?  I am a bit confused.  Or are they actually putting in lanes?  Either way, I suppose this is a step in the right direction but can we please see some dedicated lanes....please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sharrows and signage are meant to remind automobile drivers that other users, such as cyclists, have the right-of-way as much as they do.

 

As for a lane, they could remove the underutilized center turn lane and widen out the MLK intersection to include not only a left turn lane, but a continuous bike lane.

The sharrows and signage are meant to remind automobile drivers that other users, such as cyclists, have the right-of-way as much as they do.

 

As for a lane, they could remove the underutilized center turn lane and widen out the MLK intersection to include not only a left turn lane, but a continuous bike lane.

 

Right, for some reason I was under the assumption we were talking about actual lanes instead of just reminders, but that was my fault in assuming things.  I have heard it from city transportation engineers themselves...there is plenty of room on Clifton, MLK, and many other roads for dedicated bike lanes. 

What are the lane widths of Clifton? I'm assuming we are looking at 12' lanes for both travel lanes, 11' for the center turn lane, and 9' for the parking bay? Bike lanes need to be a minimum of 4' to meet federal safety regulations, and you can realistically narrow the lanes to 10' each with a parking bay of 8'. Doing away with the center turn lane sans MLK can leave you with 12' travel lanes, wide bike lanes, and perhaps a small curbed median that's similar to MLK.

Why can't we get actual lanes? Is this too much to ask? I am a bit confused. Or are they actually putting in lanes? Either way, I suppose this is a step in the right direction but can we please see some dedicated lanes....please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I would like to see the sharrows with a continuous white line on either side of them and a sign indicating you have to completely leave the "sharrow lane" to pass a cyclist.

The sharrows and signage are meant to remind automobile drivers that other users, such as cyclists, have the right-of-way as much as they do.

 

As for a lane, they could remove the underutilized center turn lane and widen out the MLK intersection to include not only a left turn lane, but a continuous bike lane.

 

Right, for some reason I was under the assumption we were talking about actual lanes instead of just reminders, but that was my fault in assuming things.  I have heard it from city transportation engineers themselves...there is plenty of room on Clifton, MLK, and many other roads for dedicated bike lanes. 

 

Dedicated bike lanes are coming to Spring Grove Avenue.  Everything else is just sharrows for now.

Couple people (evidently their names are Kathy and Gary) using the Clifton Avenue sharrows at the press conference today.

 

Gary

 

Kathy

Cincinnati Installs New Pavement Markings to Increase Cyclist Safety

Cutting–edge “sharrow” lane a first in the area

http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/city/downloads/CityofincinnatiSharrowLanes.pdf

 

Today, the City of Cincinnati became the first municipality in the region to install “sharrows” on its streets.  The sharrow (shared lane arrow) is a pavement marking installed within travel lanes reminding motorists that they should expect to see and share the road with cyclists.

 

In addition, sharrows help cyclists position themselves within the lane so as to avoid being hit by a suddenly opened car door.  Although it is the motorist's responsibility to check before opening their door, riding too close to parked cars is still a common mistake that can lead to serious injury.

 

The Department of Transportation & Engineering began installing sharrows on portions of Clifton Avenue today.  Segments of Ludlow Avenue and Madison Road will also receive sharrows next month.  The locations were chosen based on the results of a month-long citywide survey of cyclists.  The markings, which include a bicycle symbol with double arrows at the top, will be placed every few hundred feet on the pavement.

 

The City has been unable to install striped bike lanes on these streets because of the high demand for on-street parking, and the inability to either eliminate a travel lane, or narrow the existing travel lanes.  The sharrow markings have been successfully used in other cities across the country, and will be evaluated here in Cincinnati over the next twelve months.

 

“We want to do everything we can to encourage bicycling as a viable means of transportation in Cincinnati.  That means making our streets as safe as we can for cyclists of all skill levels, said Michael Moore, Interim Director of Transportation & Engineering.  “Additionally, better accommodating bicycles helps the city become greener.”

 

In the presence of sharrows, cyclists should ride through the center of the marking when safe to do so.  Motorists should expect to see cyclists on the street, and remember to give adequate space when passing.  A list of Frequently Asked Questions is available on the Department’s website at www.cincinnati-oh.gov/sharrows.

Commuters trade cars for bikes

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/C2/20090609/NEWS/906090302/-1/recorder/Commuters+trade+cars+for+bikes

 

Riding a bike isn't just for exercise or fun for a growing number of people who are choosing pedal power over horsepower.

 

K.D. Rex of Bellevue rides her bicycle everywhere she goes.

 

She's commuted to work in Cincinnati for six years, and two years ago she gave her car away to her sister.

 

"I live within three miles of my work," Rex said. "I actually did buy my house planning on bicycling to work."

 

Rex said she disliked traffic congestion, having to pay to park, and just being enclosed in a car.

 

"I wanted to feel like I was on an adventure to go to work and come home at night," Rex said.

 

She crosses the Purple People Bridge every day in all weather including snow, bundling up against the cold, and maintaining that she can get traction if a car can.

 

Rex also helps promote bicycling and was an organizer of the the second annual "Bike and Dine" ride through downtown Cincinnati, Newport and Covington Saturday, June 6, stopping local restaurants.

 

She's also planning to ride in a July 25 10-mile "River Ride" to explore the Ohio River views and bridges with stops including lunch at Newport on the Levee. For information visit www.cincybikepac.org.

 

"The purpose of it is really to show people how easy it is to get around," Rex said.

 

For people thinking of taking up riding a bike as transportation start by setting a goal of going out at least once a week when the weather is nice, Rex said.

 

It's a good idea to have fenders on a bicycle to deflect dirt and grit from the road especially during stormy weather, she said. Rex said using a rack to carry items on the bike rather than a backpack is easier and along with lights gets the attention and respect of vehicle drivers.

 

"This is my perception, when motorists see me and realize I'm doing a task, they give more right of way," Rex said.

 

The reasons people are choosing to bicycle rather than drive vary from environmental concerns and living healthy lifestyle to saving money, said Jason Reser, owner of Reser Bicycle Outfitters in Newport.

 

Reser said since gas prices shot up dramatically a few years ago he's been outfitting about two or three customers per week with the equipment they need to start commuting by bike.

 

When it comes to prices, buying a used bike can be cheap, but if the plan is to use it as primary transportation it's a good idea to plan on spending at least $500 or $600 if buying a new bike, Reser said.

 

"You're looking for something to replace your car," he said.

 

John Bruggen, 36, of Latonia, started bicycling to work in Cincinnati a year ago, but on the weekends and evenings he usually puts the bike away.

 

"I don't go out for fun, I go because I'm going someplace," Bruggen said.

 

Bruggen hasn't give up his car, and although he mostly rides to work, he still occasionally drives or takes the bus.

 

"I always swore when gasoline hit $3 or $4 a gallon I'd give up the car as much as I could," he said.

 

Buying all the perfect equipment for bike commuting can cost a small fortune, but buying a used bike and rigging things up yourself can save lots of money, Bruggen said.

 

But beyond saving money, bicycling is fun, he said.

 

"And it's such terrific exercise, I don't have do the treadmill three times a week," Bruggen said.

 

Bicycling street guide

Local governments took note of bicyclists with the release of the 2009 Cincinnati Bike Rout Guide June 2.

 

The street guide covers includes routes mostly within the I-275 beltway in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati and was released by the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI).

 

The map is available online and in printed versions. Features of the map include color-coded routes identifying easy routes and increasing degrees of difficulty for dealing with or avoiding traffic congestion and narrow roads that might prove difficult for bicycling.

 

The map was last published in 1998. To view the map online or more information visit the Web site www.oki.org. For a free copy of the printed map stop by a local bicycle shop or the OKI office at 720 East Pete Rose Way in downtown Cincinnati during business hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Interactive OKI bike route guide now online

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/07/interactive-oki-bike-route-guide-now.html

 

Previously only available in printed form and as a static online PDF, the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) 2009 Cincinnati Bike Route Guide is now available in an interactive online map.

 

Prepared by OKI with assistance from the City of Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering, Bike/PAC, the Cincinnati Cycle Club, and other area bicyclists, the map covers most of Hamilton County in Ohio and the northern parts of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky.

 

Like its print counterpart, the map includes preferred routes, bicycle lanes, hills, and bicycle racks.

 

Users can also toggle between various maps and aerials, and a drawing tool allows cyclists to customize and print their own maps.

 

Print copies are still available by contacting Don Burrell at [email protected].

Northern Kentucky's Southbank Partners raises over $200k for Riverfront Commons project

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0728riverfrontcommons.aspx

 

After being told the potential benefits of the $170 million Riverfront Commons project, Northern Kentucky leaders were then cautioned that it would require hard work to secure the necessary funding to make the multi-use trail along a 4 mile stretch of Northern Kentucky’s riverfront reality.

 

Riverfront Commons would link Dayton, Bellevue, Newport and Covington and connect users with the Purple People Bridge, the proposed Licking River Greenway and the Boone County Park System.  The project would provide riverbank stabilization solutions and implement public access enhancements on the south bank of the Ohio River.

 

In March of 2009 Roger Peterman, chair of Southbank Partner’s Riverfront Commons Committee, said that the project represented $60 million worth of shovel-ready infrastructure that would spur an estimated $1.5 billion in private investment and create 4,000 jobs.

 

Southbank Partners has continued to lead the push to make the Riverfront Commons project reality with major victories over the past couple of months that have significantly advanced the project.  One of the most recent successes was the authorization of $25,000 from the Northern Kentucky Port Authority to assist with the consulting and advocacy efforts lead by Southbank Partners.  $50,000 was also recently approved for the proposed Licking River Greenway project that will create a greenway along the shores of the Licking River through the cities of Covington, Taylor Mill, Newport and Wilder.

 

The recent money raised factors into more than $200,000 that has been raised by Southbank in just two months.  An additional $135,000 is needed to engage consultants, including a Washington D.C.-based consulting firm that will lobby for federal funds for the Riverfront Commons project.

 

Additional money has been committed by the cities of Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Fort Thomas, Ludlow, Campbell County and additional support from Newport and Kenton County pending.  Southbank also notes that several Northern Kentucky developers and riverfront businesses have also committed funding to the project.

Cincinnati kicks off new Bicycle Master Plan process in hopes of encouraging more cyclists

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0908bicycleplan.aspx

 

It was 1976 when the City of Cincinnati created its last bike plan.  Fast forward 33 years and the Bicycle Master Planning process is starting up once again in hopes of encouraging more cyclists throughout Cincinnati.

 

"Our hope is that by building a citywide network of bicycle infrastructure, and supporting it with educational programming, we can transform our culture so that average Cincinnatians feel as safe riding their bicycles for daily trips as they do riding in their cars," say Michael Moore, interim director of the Department of Transportation & Engineering (DOTE).

 

The Bicycle Master Plan is meant to provide a long-term vision for the development of a citywide bicycle network consisting of bike lanes, trails, signed shared roadways, and bicycle parking.  City officials also state that the network will be complimented by educational encouragement and enforcement programs that will help cultivate a cultural awareness of bicycling as a viable means of transportation in Cincinnati.

 

In May, the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) released a Cincinnati Bike Route Guide meant to highlight important points of interest such as preferred routes, bicycle lanes, hills, and bicycle racks.

 

In June, Cincinnati installed the region's first "sharrow" along Clifton Avenue.  The new sharrow markings are meant to increase automotive awareness of bicyclists.  The sharrows have been successful in other cities at improving both safety and visibility for bicyclists.

 

The City has also been studying the feasibility of dedicated bike lanes along Spring Grove Avenue that would connect Northside and the center city with a high-quality bicycle route.

 

All of this bicycling news has created a buzz in the bicycling community in Cincinnati, and it is this buzz that the City is hoping to capitalize on when they begin this week with a "rolling focus group" coordinated by the Cincinnati DOTE and Queen City Bike, a local bicycle advocacy group.

 

During this process, staff from the Bike Plan project team will be riding city streets with local cyclists to learn about existing problems first-hand.  They will also be looking to hear about improvements that cyclists hope to see made in the future.

 

A new Bike Plan Stakeholder Committee will also be meeting for the first time this week to kick things off for the new Bicycle Master Plan process.  City officials state that the group consists of roughly 50 people with corporate, non-profit and community representative backgrounds.  The first public open house for the Bicycle Master Plan is scheduled for October 8 at 7pm at the McKee Recreation Center in Northside.

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a bike for exercise and for generally tooling around around town.  I didn't know where to ask, so I'll ask it here: what kind of bike should I be looking at?  My main concern is my build.  I'm a big guy, and I'm not looking to bang my knees on the handlebars, y'know?  I also don't want to be hunched over all the time.  Any suggestions?

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a bike for exercise and for generally tooling around around town. I didn't know where to ask, so I'll ask it here: what kind of bike should I be looking at? My main concern is my build. I'm a big guy, and I'm not looking to bang my knees on the handlebars, y'know? I also don't want to be hunched over all the time. Any suggestions?

 

I would get a hybrid/city bike

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a bike for exercise and for generally tooling around around town.  I didn't know where to ask, so I'll ask it here: what kind of bike should I be looking at?  My main concern is my build.  I'm a big guy, and I'm not looking to bang my knees on the handlebars, y'know?  I also don't want to be hunched over all the time.  Any suggestions?

I'd recommend going to a reputable bike shop where a knowledgeable employee can help you determine what frame size fits you, and what features you need/like. Even if you decide to shop for a used bike on line, in the classifieds, or at yard sales, you'll have an idea what you're looking for, and are less likely buy something you regret.

 

I'd avoid the big-box stores (Wal-Mart, etc.). Their bikes may of marginal to poor quality and may be assembled by some guy who doesn't know a metric socket from a can-opener. In those places it's rare to find an employee who knows anything about the goods they're selling.

 

I don't know what resources/shops are available in the Cincinnati area. I'll leave those suggestions to the area forumers.

 

Edit: Go back to the start of this thread, and you'll find some tips on where to shop for and get educated about bikes.

The smaller bike shops don't like Montgomery Cyclery.  I'd tend to agree, because they don't like to spend a lot of time with you finding what you really want (they don't like having the same conversations over and over, but that's a part of any business), and also the actual Montgomery location doesn't have a very good space to test ride behind the store. Also, the smaller bike shops accuse Montgomery Cyclery of not assembling their bikes correctly, which apparently means disassembling the cranks out of the box, re-lubing them, then putting them back together.  Campus Cyclery got mad at me for merely buying a bike from Montgomery Cyclery and give me the evil eye every time I roll in there with some maintenance issue.  They recently charged $100 to disassemble the crank with an impact wrench, that's how I found out about the assembly issue.   

 

Hopefully you have enough money to buy at least a $400 bike. Right around that price is where the components start to get decent and you'll get a bike that you'll want to ride.  On cheaper bikes the shifting is always out of alignment, there are funny little clicks in certain gears, and so on. 

 

Another big concern for me is being taken.  I obviously don't know up from down with bikes, and I don't want to be upsold on a bike when I could've purchased one that suits my needs for a lesser price.  I tend to take everything a salesman says with a grain of salt and end up either thanking myself later or kicking myself.

^^Huh? That's the first I've heard of that. I know the guys at both Montgomery and Campus cyclery and have nothing but good relations between all of them. I bought my Cannondale SystemSix4 at Montgomery -- assembled correctly with the right components and well lubed (etc.). I take my bike to Campus and to Reser's in Newport for maintenance since I don't have a stand to work on it here with, and have never been given the evil eye :D

 

I'll agree that you get what you pay for. A cheaper bike -- a Wal-Mart bike, for instance, will have inferior components and will ride fine for a while, but will be out of alignment within a few weeks and will need constant maintenance that can add up to some $$$. I'd save some up for a decent bike -- I suggest:

 

Cannondale Comfort 5--

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/10/cusa/model-0CS5.html

 

Wider profile, no drop bars, and decent components. ~$500, although you can find outgoing 2009 models for cheaper than that.

 

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/soho/sohos/

The Trek Soho S is also a good commuter/urban bike, although I'm not a fan of every component, it should be decent enough to get you around the area. ~$550.

For some reason, my work blocks Cannondale's website.  The Trek Soho S bike looks slick, though.  It's a singlespeed, though.  Is that not going to be a problem what with all of the hills around town?

My first bike was a KHS Green, city bike, which was $300 new. Now I have a Bianchi Spillo Brilante which is twice as much. I suggest either one, just remember to buy a helmet, mirror, front and rear lights (big, bright, flashy ones), spare tube, lube, portable pump...oh yeah, don't forget a U-lock.  For winter, really good gloves or two on top of each other, thick socks, and a balaclava or something similar for the face.

Moonlightohio, I agree with the what others have said, don't get a dept. store bike... it's worth the extra in the long run.

 

I'm sure there are some tough dudes flying around Cincinnati on single speeds.  I would recommend gears though since you are starting out... ss in cincy sounds nuts to me.

 

My only problem with that Cannondale Comfort 5 is the suspension fork.  To me it just adds extra weight and maintenance with little return.  IMO a rigid mountain bike is a good option, I like the Trek 7.1 FX as an urban bike. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/71fx/

They make other more expensive versions, but the 7.1 would be great too.

 

If you are looking to spend less your local bike co-op would probably be a good bet.

 

Does anyone know what happened to the general bike thread???

The general bike thread is being sanitized.

 

Yeah, the Trek Soho S is nice but yes, it is single speed. I would buy a Trek and a Cannondale over most other models any day, and they make plenty of geared variants if you plan on going up and down hills a lot. I've gotten used to my single-speed on moderate hills, and it is a steep departure from my geared Cannondale...

 

I'd check out some of the local bike shops and tell them what you want -- a commuter/urban bike. Mobo bike coop is also a really good resource --

http://mobobicyclecoop.org

 

My first bike was a KHS Green, city bike, which was $300 new. Now I have a Bianchi Spillo Brilante which is twice as much. I suggest either one, just remember to buy a helmet, mirror, front and rear lights (big, bright, flashy ones), spare tube, lube, portable pump...oh yeah, don't forget a U-lock.  For winter, really good gloves or two on top of each other, thick socks, and a balaclava or something similar for the face.

 

I'd also recommend letting your insurance carrier know about the bike on your renter's policy.

My first bike was a KHS Green, city bike, which was $300 new. Now I have a Bianchi Spillo Brilante which is twice as much. I suggest either one, just remember to buy a helmet, mirror, front and rear lights (big, bright, flashy ones), spare tube, lube, portable pump...oh yeah, don't forget a U-lock.  For winter, really good gloves or two on top of each other, thick socks, and a balaclava or something similar for the face.

... Good points, and toss in a set of tire levers. Get an experienced cyclist or shop employee to give you a hands-on tutorial in tire repair/tube replacement. It's easy once you know how, will put you back on the road in a few minutes, and will spare you the eventually inevitable and frustrating long walk home or the humiliation of having to call someone to pick you up.