Bike for Beck Rolling Into Town

Second-annual event slated to take place all day today.

Ohio Ranked No. 32 Nationwide in 'Bike Friendliness'

Local advocates say we can do better.

(Editor's Note: The map above was created by the League of American Cyclists) While Lakewood's got a goal to become the Most Bike Friendly City in North America by 2015, it looks as if the rest of the state has some catching up to do. The state of Ohio ranked No. 32 for bike friendliness, according to the League of American Bicyclists' 2013 rankings by state and region.  Texas did better. So did Florida. The top five are Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota and Delaware. The Buckeye State can improve, say local cycling advocates.  Ohio scored poorly on evaluation and planning, policies and infrastructure, according to the ranking. Keith Pishnery, a local bicycling advocate and board member of the Bike Lakewood organization, said he’s …

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Road Construction Begins; Babies on the Roof; and a Taco Bell Facelift: Week in Review

Here’s a highlight of the top stories from around Lakewood during the past week.

Did you miss anything around town during the past week? Here’s your opportunity to get caught up.   STEM Handmade Soaps Opening in Birdtown: The company boasts that the artesian soaps are hand-crafted, made with all natural ingredients. The store is expected to open by July 4. Road Construction Projects Begin in Lakewood: City finalizes list of streets; construction begins around town. Have a look at the attached map to see if your street is getting some new pavement. Babies Spotted on the Roof of Lakewood Home: Police responded to a report of two babies on the roof of a Newman Avenue home, but the kiddos were safe and sound — and inside — when officers arrived. Legal Disputes 'Tearing Apart' Lakefront Neighborhood: Neighbors on Kenneth …

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City Rolling Out ‘Bike Racks for Businesses’ Initiative

Those interested in planting a bike rack in front of their business are encouraged to apply with the city’s department of planning and development by May 3.

The city began to roll out its Bike Master Plan last year; officials are now looking to expand the program to more businesses. The whole idea is to establish bicycling as a “main means of transportation” in Lakewood. That means that residents can expect to see more of those U-shaped, blue bike racks dotting the city’s commercial corridors — with an emphasis on Madison Avenue. The city rolled out its first run of the bike rack program last year, with about 20 participating businesses. This year, there will be around two-dozen new racks in the city — at about $100 cost to businesses. The city will pick up the tab for shipping and installation. Businesses are encouraged to act fast: the city will accept the first 25 qualifying applicants by …

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Council OK’s New Bicycle Regulations

But nowhere in the measure is a ban on quadricycles.

Lakewood City Council approved a measure that fine-tuned the city’s laws on bicycles in the city. However, the proposed ban on four-wheeled cycles was left out. Instead, after several committee meetings and lots of discussion, council approved additional safety regulations at its meeting on Monday night. The idea to ban quadricycles became a moot point earlier this month when Gov. John Kasich signed a measure into law that — among other things — changes the state language to include three- and four-wheeled bicycles into the definition of a bicycle. Council’s public safety committee had already shifted gears, opting instead to examine the definition and include a few safety measures into the city ordinance, “regardless of the number of …

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Colin McEwen

4:18 pm on Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Real nice comment. See my post below.   more ›

Council Changes Gears on Quadricycle Ordinance

Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 51 into law on Monday that changes the state language to include three- and four-wheeled bicycles into the definition of a bicycle. Council is expected to follow suit.

The discussion on the topic of quadricycles continued in Lakewood City Council’s public safety committee meeting on Monday. But the idea to ban the vehicles outright may be a moot point. That’s because, on Monday, Gov. John Kasich signed a measure into law that — among other things — changes the state language to include three- and four-wheeled bicycles into the definition of a bicycle. Council’s public safety committee is now looking to examine the definition and include a few safety measures into the city ordinance, “regardless of the number of wheels.”  One of those safety measures would require riders of quadricycles to ride single-file on the street. Riding on the sidewalk would be prohibited. There are other proposed changes — think …

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Bike Lane Supporters Lobby Lakewood City Council

A group of cycling advocates are hoping to get city officials to change the plans for the Madison Avenue repaving project to include dedicated bike lanes instead of “sharrows.”

A group of about 20 cycling advocates attended the city council meeting to encourage city leaders to reconsider a plan that would install bike “sharrows” on Madison Avenue. They're hoping that the adminstration will consider adding bike lanes into the project. Sharrows are what they sound like: painted arrows on the street that encourage motorists to share the road with bicyclists. Right now, the city has plans to repave Madison Avenue — in either 2013 or 2014 — and paint “sharrows” on the street. Ben Van Lear, an avid cyclist and Bike Lakewood board member, has conducted plenty of research to support claims that bike lanes are safe, increase ridership and benefit small businesses. He addressed council at Monday night’s meeting.  “Lakewood…

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POLL: Bike Lanes or ‘Sharrows’ on Madison Avenue?

Bike Lakewood recently hosted a board meeting, where this topic was discussed. Now, some bike advocates are lobbying city officials hoping to change the plans for the Madison Avenue repaving project.

Bike lanes or bine “sharrows” on Madison Avenue? That was one of the items up for discussion at a recent board meeting for Bike Lakewood, a local biking advocacy organization. Right now, the city has plans to repave Madison Avenue — in either 2013 or 2014 — and paint some “sharrows” on the street. But a few bike advocates are hoping the administration will reconsider.  Ben Van Lear, an avid cyclist and Bike Lakewood board member, has conducted plenty of research (attached at the right) to support claims that bike lanes are safe, increase ridership and benefit small businesses. Have a glance out the letter (below) sent to city officials. And feel free to sign the online petition. If you’ve still got some time, vote in our poll. Dear Mayor …

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City Backpedals on Plan to Ban Earplugs for Bicyclists

Law Director Kevin Butler said that the administration needs more time to consider the measure.

The city of Lakewood is postponing a proposal that would keep bicyclists from wearing headphones while riding in Lakewood. Lakewood ordinances prohibit motorists from wearing headphones while driving, but the law on the books doesn’t apply to bicyclists. City officials are considering a measure that could change that. The original plan was to introduce the ordinance to city council at Monday night’s scheduled meeting. But Kevin Butler, the city’s law director, said the administration needs more time to consider the proposal. “We need to get more background,” he said. “We’re looking for more input from the bike folks and police department." “We just want to learn more.” Ashley Belzer, the city’s assistant prosecutor and assistant law …

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mitchell

6:37 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

You're right, I DON'T understand your assertion that bikes have a right to the road. The do not, and cannot, travel as fast as cars and traffic.A bike in the road is the equivalent of a car going 5mph down the street; everyone has to slow down and change lanes to go around them. Should pedestrians be allowed to walk in the street? No, that is what sidewalks are for. If you can't ride your bike as…   more ›

City Eyes Banning Earplugs for Bicyclists

Looking to improve safety, the Lakewood Law Department will introduce an ordinance to city council next Monday.

Lakewood ordinances prohibit motorists from wearing headphones while driving, but the law on the books doesn’t apply to bicyclists. The city of Lakewood is looking to change that.  Ashley Belzer, the city’s assistant prosecutor and assistant law director, said that a proposed law would require bicyclists to pull out an earplug to focus more on traffic. The measure would still allow bicyclists to keep one earplug in.  “Police officers have been seeing (bicyclists) more and more often wearing earplugs in both ears,” she said. “On bicycles, people sometimes don’t follow traffic laws as they would if they were in a car. People get a little more lax on bicycles.” Law director Kevin Butler said the only law on the books prohibits motorists from …

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