Government leaders and local advocates work for a bike-friendly Toledo
In May of this year, Ohio Senator Teresa Fedor mounted her bicycle and set off on her 3rd annual Bike to the Capitol campaign. Beginning in South Toledo, she weaved her way to Columbus, stopping in cities along the way to promote physical education and health standards in the public education system, as well as bicycle-friendly community initiatives.
“I saw firsthand how intimidating it can be for those on bikes,” Fedor said. “Ohio does need better bike laws, because it’s a great transportation alternative.”
To encourage this bike-friendly initiative, Fedor, along with co-sponsor Toledo area state Senator Mark Wagoner, introduced a new bike safety bill to the Ohio Senate. Both senators, wanted to announce the bill in Northwest Ohio because of the number of bicycle enthusiasts here.
While there were a number of bicycle events on the calendar, Fedor choose the Irish Hills Bike Tour to make the announcement about the bill.
The bill itself defines the distance a motorist should allow between themselves and a cyclist when passing. The “three-foot rule” would require a three-foot gap of lateral clearance when passing, helping to ensure cyclists’ safety.
The call for awareness
In 2008, there were 18 bicycle crash fatalities in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The majority (eight) took place during daylight, and 13 out of the 18 were adults over 31 years of age. There were over 1,500 bicyclist injuries in Ohio last year as well.
“I know of two people who have been struck from behind and killed,” said Toledo Area Bicyclists president, Jim House. “Even with broader laws, there needs to be enforcement as well.”
Though the law will support driver awareness, House, along with Pat Squire, treasurer of the Ohio Bicycle Federation, believes cyclists need wider roadways and more education about how to ride on them.
“I know there are certain streets to avoid because of narrowness and speed,” explained Squire, who uses her bike to commute throughout the city. “Where there’s a curb lane with enough width, I don’t feel there’s a problem. Bike lanes are a good thing, but it’s a matter of practicality and money.”
Kent Gardam, transportation project manager at the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG), said they oversee the funding handed out to local jurisdictions, and work with committees to priotize projects and allocate funding. He explained that an enhancement fund for bike and pedestrian projects is part of their annual budget for transportation projects, and only totals around $1 million a year. Each year they put out a bike recreation guide, and this year they also included a commuter guide for the first time. (Guides are available at www.tmacog.org.)
“We develop paths and make improvements through the enhancement process, and we also expect jurisdictions to look at bike issues when doing a project, and incorporate things like wider shoulders where possible,” Gardam explained.
Signed roads are another way to promote biking; with signs guiding bikers and helping them navigate through the area. There are 22 proposed signed routes in Northwest Ohio, according to Gardam, and three are already signed.
Local lanes
Steven Day of Toledo’s Department of Engineering Services described a few other projects to make biking more accessible in Toledo. He explained that the old I-280/Craig Bridge will include a bike lane running across the river and into the Marina District, Ravine Park and East Toledo. There are also paths running south from Point Place down Summit Street that will connect with the bridge. On the west side of Toledo, they have worked on acquiring an abandoned railway to convert into a bike route from Bowman Park to the river. This would create the beginning of a circle running from the west to east side of Toledo.
“Funding has a lot to do with it,” Day said about making Toledo more bike accessible. “In reality, though, this resource doesn’t cost all that much for its value.”
Gardam explained that whenever construction is being done on roads, TMACOG considers how to make those roads more bicyclist friendly, by widening the road or creating extended bike paths.
Some areas in Toledo, including King Rd., Starr Ave., and Monroe St. have bike lanes. However, some bicyclists believe the bike lanes can be less safe, by marginalizing bicyclists to the side of the road, rather than encouraging them to share it.
Most people involved agree, however, that the most important aspect of improving bike safety is educating cyclists and raising motorists’ awareness. The bike safety bill will hopefully put a spotlight on biking, and cyclists should spend time learning how to share the road safely. Squire suggested riding with a more experienced biker until you gain confidence.
“A bike in Ohio is defined as a vehicle, with all the rights and responsibilities,” she offered. “You need to be assertive and aware, and focus on education and conquering fear.”
For more information on bicycling in the Toledo area, visit www.tmacog.org, www.biketoledo.net, www.biketoledo.org, and
www.toledoareabicyclists.org.
