Better Biking in Lakewood: A Progress Report
BikeLakewood was founded just this past June to promote Better Biking in Lakewood. I’d like to take some time to update you on our progress to date.
Of course “progress” relates to goals. Right now BikeLakewood has two goals. The first is to get Lakewood city officials and other civic types interested in making Lakewood a better place to bike. This has proven (so far) to be remarkably easy. City Council recently recognized (unanimously) the need to consider the needs of cyclists in its efforts to make Lakewood a better place to live. Check out www.bikelakewood.org for details.
It would appear that Mayor George is also on board with “Better Biking in Lakewood.” Mayor George spoke up during the last Council meeting (before summer recess) saying, “the Administration is very anxious to be working with the biking community.” After a short discussion, the matter of biking in Lakewood was referred to the Public Works committee for favorable consideration.
In fact, our initial Public Works committee meeting took place on Monday, August 14th. In attendance were several members of City Council and the administration (Public Works and Engineering), and representatives of BikeLakewood. We spent an hour exchanging ideas relating to the need for short-term bike storage (racks) in Lakewood, discussing the possibility of using “shared lane markings” on certain Lakewood streets, and considering the possibility of moving toward becoming an Ohio Bicycle Federation “Cycling Friendly Community.” All told, it was a pretty lively discussion. Our next meeting will be held at the end of this month.
Lakewood Community Progress Inc. (LCPI) is also sympathetic to the goals of BikeLakewood. LCPI was formed (and funded) to make “downtown” Lakewood a better destination. LCPI President David Shaw and Director Jennifer Hooper have both expressed their support of our goals. BikeLakewood and LCPI are in agreement that our first initiative should be the provision of short-term bicycle parking (“bike racks”) in Lakewood’s commercial districts. BikeLakewood is already researching cost-effective solutions to Lakewood’s short-term bike parking needs.
BikeLakewood has a second near-term goal; that is to gather up the names and e-mail addresses of Lakewood residents who support our goal of Better Biking in Lakewood. It is for that reason that we urge you to review our web site (www.bikelakewood.org) and contact us so that we can keep you apprised of our progress and invite you to participate in our efforts. We will also be participating in upcoming Lakewood events so that residents can learn more about us. The next (first) event will be the Lakewood Community Festival at Madison Park on September 9th. Please stop by, say “hi” and leave us your contact information.
Well that’s about all for now. It’s only been a couple months since we got started. If you are hoping for really quick results, please be patient. It’s more important that we get it right than get it quick.
Ride On!
Of course “progress” relates to goals. Right now BikeLakewood has two goals. The first is to get Lakewood city officials and other civic types interested in making Lakewood a better place to bike. This has proven (so far) to be remarkably easy. City Council recently recognized (unanimously) the need to consider the needs of cyclists in its efforts to make Lakewood a better place to live. Check out www.bikelakewood.org for details.
It would appear that Mayor George is also on board with “Better Biking in Lakewood.” Mayor George spoke up during the last Council meeting (before summer recess) saying, “the Administration is very anxious to be working with the biking community.” After a short discussion, the matter of biking in Lakewood was referred to the Public Works committee for favorable consideration.
In fact, our initial Public Works committee meeting took place on Monday, August 14th. In attendance were several members of City Council and the administration (Public Works and Engineering), and representatives of BikeLakewood. We spent an hour exchanging ideas relating to the need for short-term bike storage (racks) in Lakewood, discussing the possibility of using “shared lane markings” on certain Lakewood streets, and considering the possibility of moving toward becoming an Ohio Bicycle Federation “Cycling Friendly Community.” All told, it was a pretty lively discussion. Our next meeting will be held at the end of this month.
Lakewood Community Progress Inc. (LCPI) is also sympathetic to the goals of BikeLakewood. LCPI was formed (and funded) to make “downtown” Lakewood a better destination. LCPI President David Shaw and Director Jennifer Hooper have both expressed their support of our goals. BikeLakewood and LCPI are in agreement that our first initiative should be the provision of short-term bicycle parking (“bike racks”) in Lakewood’s commercial districts. BikeLakewood is already researching cost-effective solutions to Lakewood’s short-term bike parking needs.
BikeLakewood has a second near-term goal; that is to gather up the names and e-mail addresses of Lakewood residents who support our goal of Better Biking in Lakewood. It is for that reason that we urge you to review our web site (www.bikelakewood.org) and contact us so that we can keep you apprised of our progress and invite you to participate in our efforts. We will also be participating in upcoming Lakewood events so that residents can learn more about us. The next (first) event will be the Lakewood Community Festival at Madison Park on September 9th. Please stop by, say “hi” and leave us your contact information.
Well that’s about all for now. It’s only been a couple months since we got started. If you are hoping for really quick results, please be patient. It’s more important that we get it right than get it quick.
Ride On!
Volume 2, Issue 17, Posted 1:01 PM, 08.16.06
