What Happened?
Cleveland is transforming unused streetcar tracks into bicycle lanes to further support a growing population of carless residents. The Midway project aims to create around a separate cycle track of around 70 miles connecting downtown Cleveland to adjacent neighborhoods and parks.
Goal
Originally, streets in Cleveland were wider than normal to accommodate streetcars. When automobiles dominated the roads, more car lanes were added to roadways in place of streetcar tracks. Cleveland’s Midway project will redesign the city’s network of roadways which are 72-feet wide to house more bike lanes along car lanes, the Plain Dealer reported.
The city will create a new road layout with 16-foot wide bike lanes buffered from automobile traffic with an 8-foot wide boulevard. The car lanes will be 12-feet wide, while 8-foot parking lanes will line both sides of the road.
The bike lanes in the center of the roads will be accessible to bikers and pedestrians. The buffer boulevards will be lined with trees and other foliage to provide shade for those using the bike lanes. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will also leverage these buffer boulevards to further its stormwater management efforts to filter runoff.
The overall goal of the Midway project is to make Cleveland a national leader in non-car networked connections while improving the quality of life and mobility for residents.
The Details
A recent report from PeopleforBikes and the Alliance for Biking & Walking outlined economic benefits of a more extensive system of bike lanes protected in an urban setting. Aside from getting more motorists of the road, reducing traffic congestion and improving safety for bikers, the protected lanes would:
- Boost redevelopment projects and increase real estate value throughout the city
- Make it easier for businesses to attract talented workers
- Improve the health and productivity of local residents
- Support increased retail visibility and sales volume for local businesses
Cleveland has set a goal of creating 70 miles of bike lanes, trails and bike markings by the end of 2017. The Midway project would be a majority contribution toward this benchmark.
Cleveland expects to pay around $1.2 million to $1.7 million per mile to build out the protected bike lanes and buffer boulevards. To fund the project, participating organizations will apply for a $250,000 Transportation for Liveable Communities Initiative Grant from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency to cover planning costs, and a TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for implementation expenses, the Plain Dealer reported.
Rise of Protected Bike Lanes
Cleveland is one of several major cities looking to create more protected bike lanes along major roadways. In Seattle, city officials want to make sure all residents are a quarter mile from a bike facility, and the roads are lined with protected bike lanes. If bikers see the lanes are designed to improve safety and awareness, they will feel more comfortable using the lanes rather than opting for car transport.
In Chicago, more than 12 miles of barrio protected bike lanes have already been built out, with more expected in the future. The city reports bicyclists now account for more than 50 percent of traffic during morning peak hours on many major roadways as a result of the new lanes.
Keep On Pedalin’
Gov1 has kept a close eye on the latest trends in bicycle safety and efficiency, as well as how projects are being funded.