italktocats

everyone wants to be on the bikepath, its sooo pretty and smooth

dpeters11

I'd like to meet a cyclist in the area that would prefer Columbia Parkway to Riverside. I'm generally a proponent of bikes on the road, but there are some exceptions. The Parkway goes nowhere that isn't accessible by other routes while still not going out of the way. It's also illegal here to ride on the Interstates, but I haven't seen complaints about those restrictions.

Columbia Parkway wasn't always like this, there used to actually be stairs in the wall but traffic was closed to everything but cars long ago.

CB HI

If that were really true, then why did anyone impose a ban to keep the nonexistent cyclist off the road? Your claims of a need for a ban on a road no cyclist wants to ride, makes no sense.

You need to catch up on the times. I and many BF members have legally cycled on Interstate freeways. Many cyclists have worked hard to open up several sections of Interstate freeways for cycling.

What is your plan when the next road they want to ban cyclist from is a road that you ride on? Maybe you are a MUP guy that is OK with road bans, believe it or not, there are several of those here in BFs.

dpeters11

The ban isn't specifically on cyclists, just that only car traffic is allowed. Large trucks are also banned. But, yes there are signs at the entrance to that section that pedestrians and bikes are prohibited. Doesn't mean someone won't try. I wouldn't salmon ride on a four lane highway with a cup of coffee in hand, but have seen it.

And maybe I do need to get with the times. I've certainly known of places out west were cycling on the Interstate is legal, but I honestly have never heard of any lobbying to legalize it in Ohio, nor can I think of any Interstate here that is an exception to that law.

huizar

True, but aren't these stretches of interstate usually between larger metropolitan areas, mostly in areas where there is no convenient stretch of road running parallel or generally in the same direction? Interstate riding is great if your trying to cover large distances through rural areas, but in bigger cities it's typically unnecessary.

N0WBIE

Get off your ass, ride a bike.

dpeters11

Exactly. I just plotted a trip to Columbus, just to the center of town. Going on I-71 is 107 miles, by bike the route is 125. There are roads certain motor vehicles aren't allowed and some roads bicycles aren't allowed. Sure, the 125 miles is longer than I-71, but not by much.

CB HI

And when cyclists are banned from more of the highways, the trip will be 150 miles. Then the next highway gets a ban with your freeway ban as a similar justification and the distance is 200 miles.

I think it was Illinois as well, but other states also had politicians who wanted to ban cyclists from ALL state highways. How would you travel be effected then?

Sad when cyclists try to justify such bans.

dpeters11

So I'm assuming then that you ride or want to ride on the H-1? Los Angeleno's riding on the 405? Though I guess a cyclist would be the fastest moving vehicle on the 405 during rush hour.

I just don't see a large number of cyclists lobbying for all the interstates to be opened up for bikes.

Maybe we should have an Interstate biking thread.

CB HI

H-2 and H-3 are much better alternates than the other available routes. H-1 morning traffic would slow cyclists down too much. Do you not pay attention to the news, H-1 is ranked No. 1 for worst congested freeway.

But you are ignoring the proposed and actual closure of highways to cyclists. In fact you approve of such BS.

buck1973

Cyclists are banned from that section of road because it is designated a freeway. The only roads in Ohio on which cyclists may be banned are freeways.

That's great and I applaud their effort. There are also cyclists working to get sections of Ohio's interstates opened for cycling.

I don't foresee any of the roads on which I ride becoming freeways, so I really don't need a plan.

CB HI

Yet the cops and courts already did take away your rights. Your lucky Selz was willing to fight for them.

Selz case, Fred Oswald

Do you have deep pockets for an appeal when you eventually need one.

CB HI

Also, feel free to properly read the OP, that the road cyclist are being banned from is a highway and not a freeway.

buck1973

Yes, that case from 1999 and other similar cases were the primary drivers for the Steve Magas (lawyer in the Selz case) and the Ohio Bicycle Foundation to push a series of reforms through the state legislature in 2006. If you're really interested in Ohio bicycle law, Steve has a good summary (with commentary) on his website:

Ohio's Bicycle Laws

CB HI

Any comments on the highway you claim is a freeway.

Seems you believe that those gains can never be reversed.

When do you plan on ending biased FRAP laws?

buck1973

Sorry, didn't notice the other quote. The original post in this thread refers to Central Parkway. Cyclists are not banned there.

The road dpeters11 referred to was Columbia Parkway. It is part of US Route 50 and the section on which bicyclists and pedestrians are banned is designated a freeway.

Ohio law only allows the banning of bicycles on freeways. This was part of the 2006 Better Bicycling Bill (added section in bold below.)

4511.07 Local Traffic Regulations
(A) Sections 4511.01 to 4511.78 , 4511.99 , and 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code do not prevent local authorities from carrying out the following activities with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power:
(8) Regulating the operation of bicycles ; provided that no such regulation shall be fundamentally inconsistent with the uniform rules of the road prescribed by this chapter and that no such regulation shall prohibit the use of bicycles on any public street or highway except as provided in section 4511.051 of the Revised Code;

4511.051 Freeways- prohibited acts

4511.01 Traffic laws- operation of motor vehicle definitions
(YY) "Freeway" means a divided multi-lane highway for through traffic with all crossroads separated in grade and with full control of access.

That section of Columbia Parkway meets the definition of freeway. I'm not worried about any of the roads I ride on being designated freeways. All of the roads near me which meet the definition of freeway are already designated as such.

As far as FRAP goes, changes were made in the 2006 bill which mostly satisfy me. I'm aware from reading previous posts that you think they should be completely abolished and I would not have a problem with that either.

MickeyMaguire

Ohio DOT classifies the bicycle as a "legal road vehicle" and determined long ago that bicycles belong on the road, not pedestrian walkways. You can be cited if you ride on sidewalks in most places in Ohio. Some municipalities have created their own jurisdictional rules for cyclists and I'd like to see that change. Columbus' Mayor Coleman is a big cycling advocate, being an enthusiast. Lots of new paths and bike lanes have been made during his time in office.

CB HI

This is the section of Columbia Parkway dpeters11 referred to:

https://goo.gl/maps/85t6z

It does not meet your definition of a freeway.

Are you trying to do a bait and switch by talking about different sections of Columbia Parkway?

SweetLou

It is not a freeway, The roads do not cross at grade and there are driveways to enter the parkway. This is one of three roads that I know of that Cincinnati bans cyclists. This is against state law. I have ridden on the other two roads, though with the new viaduct construction, I am not sure if the other two roads are still there. I live on the East side now and rarely go over to the West side.

I have thought about riding on Columbia Pkwy just because Cincinnati says I can't. If this was not the case, I would not want to ride Columbia Pkwy. Riverside, as the name suggests runs along the river. This means it is flat, whereas Columbia Pkwy is hilly. Though I am not happy with Riverside Dr. now that they put in door zone bike lanes. It used to be a wonderful road to ride on.

dpeters11

Honestly the highways in Hawaii don't really get much coverage on the National and Ohio news that I've seen.

dpeters11

You don't have to use the bike lane, you can take a traffic lane.

dpeters11

This is the first I've heard of work being done to open the Interstates for cyclists, though seems that this wouldn't be enough for some. I was actually also thinking more international, cyclists on the autobahn for example.

rydabent

The mayor is question is like so many politicians I have observed over my 75 years. About 90% of them are egotistical fools that are devoid of any common sense, logic, and fiscal responsibility. Like this mayor which makes stupid pronouncements like this one of which he knows nothing.

SweetLou

No, that is the section. Though you linked to a better looking section of that section. If you go a bit east, you will see a retaining wall that takes away any shoulder to ride on if you are a shoulder rider. There are many accidents on Columbia Pkwy because people treat it as a freeway and go freeway speeds when the actual speed limit is 45 mph. There are often mudslides the last couple of years that would take out the right hand lane.

I agree that this road should not be banned and is against Ohio's state law. But I would not want to ride this road until the cops start to enforce the traffic laws. Riverside drive is an easier ride and Gilbert to Madison would be a more pleasant ride.

SweetLou

Yes, I know for now we can. Drivers seem to get angrier when taking the lane if there is a bike lane, door zone or not. And how long do you think we have the right to not use the bike lane? The more bike lanes are built, the quicker legislation will come requiring their use.