Hopple St/I75: Are needs of bicyclists getting the attention they should?

If you commute or run errands by bike in Cincinnati, you know that few of our roadways have been designed with bicycles in mind. Slowly, it's dawning on people that the city would be a better place if that changed, and not just for cyclists.

The city's newly adopted environmental plan includes a very modest goal of increasing bicycle commuting as a way of improving air quality. Bicycle commuters need space on our roads: the more space we give them, the more commuters we will have.

At the same time, millions of dollars are being spent to make needed changes to I75. This is the largest public works project in our area in years, and it will affect the quality of life here for decades to come.

What does this have to do with Hopple St and I75? Take a look at these plans for a new interchange at I75 and Hopple St (and especially see the "Interactive map"). Central Parkway is a signed bicycle route that connects downtown and Northside, two parts of town where bicyclists are already becoming more visible, and it passes Cincinnati State on the way. It will be profoundly affected by whatever decision is made about how millions in state and federal money will be spent on this interchange.

It's not clear yet how much thought has been given to bicyclists in these plans. As appealing as it is aesthetically, roundabouts like those proposed in Alternative 1 can be less safe than other types of intersections for bicyclists unless special plans are made to accommodate them.

To bicyclists the devil in an intersection is in the details. Bicycles need to be included in the plan from the beginning.

Let us know what you think of these designs!

PS

Thinking of commuting into the city from Northside? Use Spring Grove. People who commute in and out of downtown to Northside tell us that one of the reasons they use Spring Grove is that the lanes are not wide enough for bicycles and cars on Central Parkway.

That's too bad. Central Parkway has the potential to be an important and elegant alternative transportation route connecting the CBD with a neigborhood worth riding to, one that is already home to Mobo Bicycle Co-op.

Maineville Bicycle Ordinance Proposed

The Village of Maineville is preparing to adopt a new ordinance to regulate where and how bicycles are ridden in the village. The ordinance, which was prompted by a car-bicycle accident in the village, follows Ohio Bike Federation guidelines. Members of the Cincinnati Cycle Club and Queen City Bike have reviewed the ordinance and generally support the ordinance as it currently stands. Kevin Armstrong of the Cincinnati Cycle Club has been the point person for the bicycling community on this measure.

An article in the Cincinnati Enquirer two weeks ago on the proposed ordinance unfortunately left some people with the wrong impression about the purpose and intent of the ordinance. The Village has posted more information about this on their website: http://www.mainevilleoh.com/.

If you live in or ride through the Village of Maineville and want to find out more, the Village Council has the measure on its agenda for their next meeting on Thursday, August 21st, at 7 pm. A final vote on the ordinance is expected in September.

Bike Newport! Word is Spreading!

Bike Newport was formed as an advocacy group intent on raising Newport to the status of a "Bicycle Friendly City" as set forth by the League of American Bicyclists. Although the group has only been in existence for a short time great strides are being made to reach this designation. Bike racks will begin popping up all along Newport's main street and several Bike Month events have been planned to help create awareness for the need for other bicycle friendly improvements.
All of this activity is grabbing the attention of the local press as well. Check it out...

Newport group is taking it to the streets, on bicycles
Two-wheel group works with Newport officials
Bike Newport