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Thanks for visiting us at ClevelandBikes!

o advancing the rights of Northeastern Ohio cyclists to use the roads and trails. ClevelandBikes serves as an information resource for cyclists, planners, engineers and others seeking input from the cycling community.

When ClevelandBikes, Cleveland Benefits!

Formed in 2003, ClevelandBikes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and promoting all forms of bicycling as economical and healthful recreation, sport and transportation and committed t

Cyclists -- we are your advocates, working to change Northeast Ohio

and make your community a better place for all cyclists!  

              ClevelandBikes P.O. Box 5446 * Cleveland, Ohio * 44111

More News About Support for Bike Commuters: Here are more details about the tax break for cycling commuters, which allow employers to provide modest financial support ($20/month) to cycling commuters (just like motorists or others receiving free parking or bus passes), without causing any tax concerns. You can find more information and easy to use forms, courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists. Commuters can download the reimbursement card, sign the pledge on the card stating they commute to work by bike at least three days per week, and submit your receipts with the card to employers. The money can help offset some of your commuting costs, such as a new helmet, routine repair needs and the like. To employers, it might not sound like a big amount, bur every little bit helps.Visit Visit the LAB website for details and forms.  

Bay Village Students Crank Out for Bike to School:  ClevelandBikes wants to congratulate Bay Village middle school and high school students, who rode a total of 37,042 miles biking to school during Bay Bike To School Challenge, May 4-22.  The event is supported by Century Cycles and Chipotle.  More than 1,200 students participated in the challenge, including 675 middle school students and 540 Bay High School students. On average, more than 500 Bay Middle School students biked to school each day, or 62%of the school.   249 Bay High School students biked to school each day, or 31% of the school. Ninety teachers and administrators rode as well.  The event also included a Bicycle Safety Fair, with more than 100 bicycles inspected, 40 bicycle helmets given away, and scores of bicycles were registered for bike licenses by the Bay Village Police Department.

 

Congratulations Bay Village Schools and their sponsor Century Cycles, who have already committed to a third challenge with Bay Bike To School Challenge 2010. With the terrific success, it's easy to see why.

 

New York City Transportation Data Finds Big Increases in Cycling:

Here's some interesting data to share from the New York Times

Based on figures from an annual count of bicyclists conducted since
1984, the New York City Department of Transportation announced on
Thursday that commuter cycling rose a remarkable 35% from
2007 - 08.  The Commuter Cycling Indicator, as the annual tally is known, was conducted at the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queensboro and Williamsburg Bridges; at the Whitehall Terminal of the Staten Island Ferry; and along the Hudson River Greenway, at West 50th Street.  According to the department, the 18-hour count showed that over a quarter of the cyclists counted used city streets earlier in the morning and later in the day than previously believed. Certain bike routes have become particularly popular: The number of cyclists crossing the Williamsburg Bridge has quadrupled from 2000 to 2008, to 4,000 on a typical day.  (The report has changed and expanded, but they have made adjustments to make accurate comparisons). New York City has made significant investment in cycling access and it seems to have paid off with handsome dividends in terms of the number of cyclsits.  The lesson? Well, to quote James Earl Jones from the baseball movie 'Field of Dreams' .. "Build it and they will come"!

Cyclist Killed on Cleveland's Eastside:  Cyclists are very troubled about a "hit and run" cycling fatality on Tuesday September 22nd.  As an organization, we support a thorough investigation of any cycling fatality and, at this point, the police are apparently still investigating.  The car/cyclist collision occurred at the busy intersection of Woodland Avenue and East 55th Street and Kinsman Avenue. This is a complex intersection, with major roads in all directions and cars and trucks accessing the interstate highway further south on East 55th Street . It's a real concern that the motorist left the scene, proceeding south on the highway.  Media reports indicate the motorist told police he was unaware he struck anyone.  ClevelandBikes encourages police to conduct a full, thorough investigation and urges the Prosecutor to pursue appopriate charges, based on the circumstances they identify, including reviewing video cameras from a nearby gas station.  As ClevelandBikes learns more, will be certain to pass the information along.  Here's the full story in the Plain Dealer.

Cycling Death in Newbury Township, Geauga County: An expeienced, avid cyclsit and popular John Carroll University professor died Saturday while riding.Miles Coburn, 58, was hit by an sport utility vehicle around 9 a.m. while biking on Ohio 44 (Ravenna Road) in Newbury Township, Geauga County, according to the State Highway Patrol, dying later that afternoon at MetroHealth Medical Center.   Our hearts go out to the Coburn family and cyclists everywhere. Coburn biked 5,000 miles annually.  there is no news regarding a police report. We remind motorists that bikes are vehicles for purposes of traffice law, entitled to use all roads (other than freeways) and encourage motorists to share the road - it's the law. 

The following was ClevelandBikes's statement on the tragedy:

:

The volunteers of ClevelandBikes extend their love and support to the Coburn family and cyclists everywhere following the death of cyclist Miles Coburn.  The popular John Carroll University biology professor an avid and experienced cyclist, was struck by a  sport utility vehicle in Newbury Township in Geauga County on Saturday.

We encourage the police to pursue a vigorous investigation to find the
cause of this tragedy and protect the rights of cyclists lawfully in
the roadway.  We understand an accident report is still pending and no
fault has been attributed to the cyclist, which is consistent with
Miles Coburn's years of experience. We urge everyone to understand
that bicycles are vehicles that should be operated on the same roads,
by the same rules and with the same rights and responsibilities as are
other vehicles. We are concerned by media reports, citing a
"dispatcher," that no charges may be filed.  At this stage of an
investigation, it would seem very premature for the police to rule
things in or out.

ClevelandBikes, a 50`1C3 not for profit organization, was founded in
2003 to promote cycling safety and education and support cycling in
all forms as healthy recreation, sport and transportation,  "Share the Road, It's the Law"

Free Bike Parking at University Crcle for Wade Oval  Wednesdays WOW) Entertainment:  With the support of a range of environmental groups, ClevelandBikes, the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op and the Earth day Coalition are pleased to host bike parking at University Circle for their popular Wade Oval Wednesday concerts. Ride on down and enjoy the music, every Wednesday this summer. want more details about WOW? Visit WOW here.

Silent Ride to Honor and Respect those Killed or Injured While Riding:  Thanks for those joinnig the hundreds of rides and thousands of riders across the country and aroud the world who drew attention to the issues of road safety.  Locally, the group rode in Cleveland and Garfield Heights, including the site  of a 2007 cycling fataility.  The rides illustrate that safety on the road and motorist education is a critical, ongoing priority,

Cleveland Bicycle Week:  Thank you for joining us for the biggest gathering of cycling interests and activities ever in Northeast Ohio as we celebrate, educate and collaborate for a stronger cycling community. There are still some important activities that we have added to the list of activities (after all, it is national Bike Month), so I hope you can continue to join us.  Whether you bicycle for transportation, recreation, health or sport, did in the past, or want to again in the future, we have something for you.For a detailed schedule, you can visit the Cleveland Bicycle Week website.

Bike to Work Rides: We are working on new "Bike to Work" plans and encourage you to register for through the "bike buddy" website offered by the Ohio Department of Transportation and NOACA to match riders, based on their routes.  Check out the Bike Buddy website here to create your account!   We hope to have additional news and information on bike commuting ideas later this summer. Be your own renewable fuel (just add water) and save some of that $3 or $4 /gallon gas money! 

Promoting Safety on the Roads:  We're always looking for new ways to promote safety on the road.  Here's a quirky little PSA from Great Britain to promote safety for cyclists ....  Let me know what you think!

Earth Day Events at the Zoo: Plans are underway to improve the bike parking option at the Cleveland Zoo.  In addition  to a temporary bike station and free bike parking, ClevelandBikes will assist in leading rides to the Zoo from a variety of community locations. To download the registration form, go here. To learn more, visit the Earth day Coalition's EarthFest website. We are encouraging the Zoo to approve a new, bike parking site, closer to the entrance. In a letter to the Vern Hartenburg, Zoo Executive Director, we  wrote:  "ClevelandBikes is promoting the creation of bike parking facilities all around the city and views Earth Day as an important opportunity to promote riding for transportation, recreation sport and health. The closer the facility is to the entrance, the more visitors we can greet, describe the activity and promote fun, safe riding. A parking facility near the entrance reminds those who choose to use a car, that there are other options.  "Close-in" bike parking acknowledges individuals and families choosing to bicycle for their effort to support the Earth Day principal of conservation,  Our volunteers look forward to participating in zoo events to promote riding, safety and good health, helping to create a greener, healthier community."

The NOACA Governing Board, the leaders of the nine counties that are Northeast Ohio, approved the Regional Bike Transportation Plan n March 14th. This project has taken years to develop and while individuals can disagree about specifics, it's good to have government agencies acknowedge that cycling is an important element of transportation. If you want to see the report, visit: www.noaca.org/finalbikeplan.pdf.

From the NOACA Executive Summary: The five goals that were adopted in the 1997 Bicycle Plan to make bicycling a more viable transportation choice remain in this document, with some minor word changes. These are NOACA’s goals for bicycle transportation:
1. Create a regional network of safe bikeways and supporting bicycle facilities.
2. Increase bicycle planning and provision of facilities at the local level.
3. Increase bicycle ridership in the region, in particular, for transportation.
4. Promote safer bicycling in the region and reduce accidents.
5. Encourage involvement of the private sector and other support for bicycling for transportation and recreation.

Each of the five goals have strategies associated with them, many of which have been implemented. Some of the strategies include conducting bikeway planning and design workshops, producing bicycle transportation maps, and conducting a “Bicycle Friendly Community” campaign.

Tax Breaks for Canadian Cyclists:   Here's some interesting news from the north. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced plans to exempt bikes (up to $1000) and helmets from provincial sales tax, starting in December.  This is even a bigger exemption than a US version would be, given the 12% sales tax rate.   McGuinty said,  "We want to encourage more Ontarians - young and young-at-heart - to get outdoors, spend time riding bikes as a family and with friends, or to try riding to work if possible, leaving the car at home ... Together, we're building a culture of health and well-being across Ontario by encouraging more families to embrace active living." Click the link above for the Canadian newswire story.

Improving Public Safety: Please join us in making your community a safer place to ride, by educating your local officials.   ClevelandBIkes members include leading safety advocates, Fred Oswald and Cal Kichick, who were key reformers in the 2006 bicycle law reform effort,   To learn about cycling safety, visit these safety pages.  To learn more how you can help, visit our transportation safety project. 

Administration Criticizes Cycling in Gas Tax Debate: The August 15th PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer featured an interview by Gwen Ifill with Transportation Secretary Mary Peters. Commenting about a possible gas tax increase, the Secretary repeated President Bush's response: 'No, there can be no tax increase because Congress is wasting the money they already get,' citing "bicycle paths" as a prime example of the waste because bicycles are not a transportation use of the gas tax money.  The League of American Bicyclists posted a response, criticizing the Administration for attacking Minnesota Representative Jim Oberstar's for his support for cycling, the Minneapolis bridge repair efforts and steps to raise all the funding for transportation maintenance. Click here to read the LAB's response. If you want to let the Secretary know your views, you can visit the agency website and leave a message here.

Cyclist-Motorist Accident Injures Cyclist Representative Michael Skindell:

We share everybody's horror about the accident and injuries to State Rep. Michael Skindell and am very glad to hear he's in the hospital and receiving appropriate care. From the description, the motorist is clearly at fault for cutting off the cyclist to make a left turn. It's certainly fortunate that the cyclist's helmet helped, but it's far better to stay out of accidents in the first place. This also presents an opportunity for public education, reminding motorists about cyclists' right to the road.  Read the story,  This is an opportunity to remind motorists that a cyclist is directed under the law to ride towards the right side of the road, but only if it's safe to do so and is the direction the cyclist is going. If the right side of the road is riddled with glass, debris, potholes, a "turn only" lane or includes a parked car that may open a door, a cyclist should move to the center lane in order to operate safely. There is a need for motorist education about cyclists' obligation use the roadway. Cyclists, other than young children, operating vehicles under the laws of all 50 states, are directed to use the roadway (other than freeways).

I am also very troubled by some of the posts on websites of major daily newspapers that suggest action, such as blaring horns or cutting off cyclists, is an appropriate message to cyclists lawfully riding in the roadway. 

Share the Road, It's the Law!

Bicycle Village, Was a Popular Destination for Ingenuity Festival, with bike art, riding safety classes, stunt ridnng, Big Screen Tour de France and More:  ClevelandBikes and the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op hosted Bicycle bike plan.htmVillage to celebrate cycling arts, health and culture at the July Ingenuity Festival. The 216 Bicycle Demonstration Team, the official bicycle stunt team of Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park, thrilled Sunday crowds with their stunt riding, German dancers manipulated and amplified sound through their costumes, kids (and adults) just loved the bike art opportunities and we finally just stopped counting the number of people taking their picture with John Ranally's fabulous artwork, the HippogrifSee more. 

Policy News: 

Cleveland Adopts Bike Plan:  ClevelandBikes supports the Cleveland Planning Commission and it's action to approve a City Bike Plan, a big step forward in creating a more bike friendly community.  The Bike Cleveland Plan is the first comprehensive plan to incorporate cycling for health, recreation and transportation. ClevelandBikes shares the City's goals of working to increase bike ridership, connect neighborhoods and parks and open spaces to create a better regional transportations system, improve public health, air quality and the environment and commits to continue to work with the City to ensure that plan implementation promotes riding and national best safety practices.

ClevelandBikes joins with RTA in announcing a six month evaluation period, during which RTA will end restrictions to allow bicycles on trains during all hours of the regular day (for more information about the policy and special events days, contact RTA), expanding the partnership between public transportation and bicycling. We're pleased RTA acknowledge what its own data shows: that cyclists and the public can share the train, as well as share the road

Cyclists are making progress with federal legislation in Congress, as well. This month, legislation to provide support for cyclists, support long extended to motorists, was incorporated into the House-passed energy legislation. The bill would provide money for trails and tax benefits for those who burn calories, not gasoline. What's it cost to commute by car? Learn here!

Commuting and Tourism:  Planning for a ClevelandBikes Bicycle Station in Cleveland's Gateway Neighborhood.  To learn about how a ClevelandBikes bicycle station can help residents, click here!

Green Future for NE Ohio:  ClevelandBikes works to secure funding for the last six miles of the Towpath Trail into Downtown Cleveland.

Bike Safety Month:  Cleveland "White Bikes" offer a safety message on the streets.  This year, supporters have even asked that they keep th bikes up throughout the summer, as a safety reminder. We're happy to oblige! Ride safely everyone!

Ride for Miles:  Many NE OH cyclists joined last year to honor Miles Coburn, a popular John Carroll University professor and avid cyclist, killed by a motorist on the road. This year's ride, a fifteen mile police supported ride through the eastern suburbs, is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th and will conclude activities of the Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium at JCU.  Riders of all skill levels are encouraged to join.  To participate, volunteer or learn more, visit the Ride for Miles website.

Enjoy Downtown Bike Rental, Provided by the Downtown Cleveland Alliance!  Rental bikes are available from East 4th Street and Prospect Avenue through the summer, for low two hour rental rates.  These coonvenient, comfortable, step-through models are available, with children's bikes provided by the Ohi oCity Bicycle Co-Op.  Come on out and enjoy exploring the CIty!

  Here are the bike rental details!

Calling all Artists!  The Cleveland  Public Art Design Competition for the Bicycle Station at Gateway is now underway!  All interested artists, designers, architects and other creative professionals are urged to submit design ideas for the permanent public art project that will bring attention and visibility for the cycling commuter support facility, and cycling generally in NEO Ohio.  As friends of ClevelandBikes know, the Gateway bicycle station, offering showers, lockers and secure bicycle parking to those commuting or traveling to Cleveland by bicycle for work, school or to enjoy all that City has to offer, will be located in a parking garage in the Gateway neighborhood. Applicants must be residents or students of the State of Ohio.  Here are Cleveland Public Art's official rules of entry. This is going to be exciting!

Thanks for Helping to Make Cleveland Bicycle Week Most Successful Ever!! \Look for more news and events, visit the Cleveland Bicycle Week website!

 

ClevelandBikes follows-up on the Governor's steps to implement the federal stimulus plan with projects for the Innerbelt/Interstate 90 and planning for the "Opportunity Corridor" proposing to connect I490 and University Circle.

Here's a portion of  the letter to the Governor:  "While we appreciate the progress, we also not that important details are yet unknown, including issues of cyclist and pedestrian access to bridges and other improvements to advance cycling and walking to provide Ohioans with healthy transportation options....The absence of clear direction on the role for cycling and pedestrian access demonstrates that, contrary to a variety of federal directives, the project is not in a correct, final form, and even further from the “shovel-ready” status called for by the innovative federal plan of the President and Congress." Read the full letter here.  Here's our first March letter to Governor Strickland on the issue.

News From the Zoo, Rack Attack:  The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo said they would be installing racks for 350 bikes at the Zoo entrancebut now, no one seems to be quite sure.  ClevelandBikes has been pleased to offer bike parking with the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op during EarthFest at the Zoo and have urged that more bike parking should be a permanent element at the zoo. We shall see.  This would be an exciting project. We have also pointed out to builders and developers that cycling makes good business sense, providing credits for sound environmental design and construction. According to initial comments, the Zoo, which shares the commitment to environmentally sound design practices, intended to use the bike parking to meet LEED certification in the design/construction of the new elephant exhibit area, which will quadruple the space for African Elephants, a site to be open in 2010 or 2011.

ClevelandBikes thanks those who participated in the fundraising night with the Cleveland Food Bank. The turnout and enthusiasm was tremendous. sincere thanks to Diane Lees of Hubbub Custom Bicycles for coordinating and hosting the event.  We also appreciate those who supportted by donating or bidding on some of the great items from arts and culture leaders, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Great Lakes Theater, the Cleveland Play House and the Cleveland Natural History Museum. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR NORTHEAST OHIO FAMILIES IN

NEED, THE CLEVELAND FOOD BANK AND CLEVELANDBIKES!

Modest Investment in Cycling and walking Pays big Dividends for the Nation:  A new report by the national nonprofit Rails to Trails Conservancy, with the support of cycling advocacy nonprofit Bikes Belong, shows even relatively modest investment in a cycling and walking infrastructure would offer tremendous returns for the public. For the price of one mile of public highway, about $50 million, we can invest in cycling and walking infrastructure to rejuvenate neighborhoods and encourage riding as part of our daily lives. The gas, environment and health savings could be between $10-65 billion for the nation. We'll be sure to do our part here in Northeast Ohio!

Another Auction Opportunity for ClevelandBikes:  Place your bids, place your bids!  Through generous donations from the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op, we are pleased to auction refurbished classic bikes for sale.  Ever wanted a Kestrel, Trek 1000, a Basso or Bianchi, but thought you couldn't affort one?  Once bids pass our reserve, the bikes can be yours. We'll have more details soon.  Until then, take a look!

ClevelandBikes Helps Cleveland and RTA Open Euclid Avenue Bike Lanes:  The City of Cleveland opens the first bike lanes connecting its largest employment districts, downtown and University Circle. Riders will find a quick trip downtown. Below, Kevin Cronin of ClevelandBikes, Jim Sheehan of the Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op and Lois Moss of Walk and Roll Cleveland open the lanes, while Marty Cader, Cleveland Bike Coordinator and the Cleveland Planning Department (gold) and Michael Schippers of RTA (yellow) look on. Chris Ronayne, of University Circle (baseball cap), looks on from behind. The opening was followed by a group ride from Cleveland State University to University Circle. 

 

Here's a bit of relief for those who ride to work.   Congress and the President agreed to help employers who provide support to their employees who bike to work, allowing employers to provide some financial help without boosting the employees' taxes.  Now cyclists will be treated the same as employees who get free car parking or RTA bus passes. Well, it's about time!  If your employer  or gorup wants to host a bike to work training session, or you want more information, click here. Bike commuting is fun, healthy and safe. Join in the fun!

 

Here's the Cuyahoga Bike Map: You can view and print the Cuyahoga Bike map, prepared by the Northeast Arewide Coordinating Agency,  here!

Safely Back from Central America, Raising Money for Cancer Research: Ray Query and Kevin Madzia are back in NE Ohio, after riding to Central America.  Here's Ray Query, a ClevelandBikes Congratulations, Kevin and Ray! 

Thanks for Joining Us for Cleveland Bicycle Week!   Cleveland Bicycle Week is NE Ohio's biggest gathering of diverse cycling interests and goals, with events all around town as cycling groups of all sorts of shapes, sizes and activities come together to host a conference to share information, identify and discuss important cycling priorities. Learn More!

The "White Bikes" re-emerged in the City (below) to promot Cleveland Bicycle Week in May.

 

Visit our new ClevelandBikes

Safety Pages!

Decorated (above) or not (below), you can still get your ClevelandBikes long-sleeve shirt for just $15.  The shirts debuted at the July Ingenuity Festival, and were a big hit!  With our colorful logo on the front and our bright safety message for motorists on the back (Same Roads, Same Rights, Same Rules), you can send a message to all motorists,without raising a hand (or portion therof). 

        To order a shirt, or see a

        larger image, click here.

 

Why not consider leaving your vehicle in the driveway and take a mode of transportation that will save you money? Get off the road and on your bike!

 

ClevelandBIkes thanks you for your support for the Ride for Miles. reminding motorists to "Share the Road" and encouraging the state to engineer and maintain safe roads for all who use them. 



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