The future looks bright for Heights bicyclists and pedestrians

Pump up a tire or make repairs at the bike fix-it station at Coventry Road and North Park Boulevard, then off you go!

On May 9, Cleveland Heights reached a major milestone when city council passed a Complete and Green Streets Policy. This policy addresses the livability and environmental needs of our community with multipurpose streets that better accommodate walkers, cyclists and public transportation. The changes called for in the policy will also reduce the environmental impact of our transportation infrastructure through green strategies to reduce waste, stormwater runoff and energy consumption. 

Getting this policy enacted has taken years. It builds on Cleveland Heights’ already-existing strengths as a bikeable and walkable community. Embracing the policy is important to the long-term viability and success of Cleveland Heights. Results will be increasingly visible in coming years. Heights Bicycle Coalition's (HBC) goal has been to set a standard that will be recognized for excellence nationally and globally.

CH City Council also declared May as Bike Month. Activities in June will set the stage for more bicycle rides and events through the summer months. 

Saturday, June 2, is Bike Tune-Up Day at the Pekar Park Courtyard on the northwest corner of Coventry Road and Euclid Heights Boulevard. This free event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bicycle mechanics and volunteers from Hirobel, Two One Fix Bicycle and HBC will provide free safety inspections and minor repairs. This event is first-come, first-served, so attendees are advised to arrive before 12:30 p.m.

On Sunday, June 3, HBC will lead a Community Garden Tour starting at Canterbury Elementary School (2530 Canterbury Road) at 1 p.m. This two-hour social ride will visit as many community gardens in the Heights as time permits, starting with the large garden at Canterbury Elementary School, which began as a World War II Victory Garden. Many gardeners have been raising fruit, vegetables and flowers in our community gardens for years. Debra Franke will lead the ride and talk about the concepts, mechanics and history of community gardens in our country.

On Saturday, June 23, Jessica Yox will lead a ride to explore interesting historical sites along the route to Euclid. Bicyclists are invited to meet at 1:30 p.m. at the bike fix-it station on the southwest corner of Coventry Road and North Park Boulevard, to take the Lake-to-Lakes Trail to Lake Erie. Alternatively, to avoid bicycling uphill into the Heights when the ride ends, participants can load bikes onto a car and drive to the parking lot at the Intercity Yacht Club, to the left of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. after it passes under I-90. Riders will gather at that parking lot and set off at 2:30 p.m. through Bratenahl and North Collinwood into Euclid. This is a relatively long ride, for intermediate and advanced riders.

Visit HBC's website, www.bikesintheheights.org, for more details, as well as an extensive calendar of bicycle rides and events taking place regionally this summer. Enjoy some recreation this summer by bike!

Heights Bicycle Coalition

Heights Bicycle Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to educating and encouraging Heights community members to use bicycles as a sustainable and healthy form of transportation and recreation. This article was written by Mary Dunbar, Debra Franke and Jessica Yox of the coalition's Encouragement Committee.

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Volume 11, Issue 6, Posted 12:10 PM, 05.29.2018