I have been a year round bicycle commuter for more than three years now and am frustrated by the slow progress of bicycles here. Many people at my work and my friends think bicycling is not as safe as driving. Some will think bicycles are much slower. Whatever the reason, the vast majority of people in the Cleveland area just dont get it. Bicycle parking in most places is either absent or a cheap wheelbender rack. I am not satisfied with our numbers and feel alienated. My hope for Cleveland is that one day the majority of people will use their bicycles for commuting and traveling around town. I see alot of untapped potential for Cleveland. We could become a cycling city if we wanted to and attract thousands of new residents. It really doesnt take much to be a cycling city in the USA because our rustbelt cities are trailing so far behind other european countries. What is the holdup? Why cant we change our mindset? Lets do something already!

Here are some ways you can help:
1. Become a cycling mentor and teach other people to ride on the road safely.
2. Tell other people about why bicycling is a good transportation option in conversation.
3. Ask your friends/family to bike with you to places you would normally all drive to.
4. Register for Ohiorideshare.com bikebuddies program and find a commuter friend to ride to work with
5. Wave and greet other cyclists with a smile

Its a Cleveland mindset that fervently holds to the 'blah-blah...keys from my cold dead hands' attitude. I applaud your efforts but you might be better off just moving to Chicago. Hordes of commuters there, year 'round.

POOF! There I waved my magic wand, end of thread.

And further more: I can't understand why we can't have ANY off road (singletrack) riding in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park!
There are many volunteers that would build and maintain the trails for free.
This would bring more revenue into the area and promote biking as another form of exercise for the fattest city in the USA!:crash:

Why should we have to leave? We have so much potential! My city Parma has got to be the most unfriendly cycling city on the westside! Is it too much for 1 'watch for bicyclists' or 'share the road' sign in a city of 100,000+(including heights)? I would like to make some PSA for all the fatties in their rusted out 92 Chevrolet cavaliers here to remind them that bicycles aren't just for little kids. And I agree that the CVNP needs some singletrack trails. Hopefully they will see the success that Camba has made with the O&E trail.

Why should we have to leave? We have so much potential! My city Parma has got to be the most unfriendly cycling city on the westside! Is it too much for 1 'watch for bicyclists' or 'share the road' sign in a city of 100,000+(including heights)? I would like to make some PSA for all the fatties in their rusted out 92 Chevrolet cavaliers here to remind them that bicycles aren't just for little kids. And I agree that the CVNP needs some singletrack trails. Hopefully they will see the success that Camba has made with the O&E trail.

Parma and Parma Hts are cake. I grew up there, commuted to-from both work and school there, still ride there to visit family. The entire Cleveland area really isn't that bad. The biggest problem is the shape of the roads, and yeah, our drivers suck, always have, but I've lived in much worse places over the years. You want fun, go ride in Elizabeth/Newark, NJ.

There appear to be lots of roadies in and around the park. I've ridden with Summit Free Wheelers a couple of times recently while visiting Ohio and had great rides. Last night we did 45 miles and avgd. a little over 20 mph riding out to Lake Rockwell in Kent. There are lots of cyclists in the area of all ability levels. It's really cool to see the number of families riding out of Peninsula on the towpath trail on the weekends. The night rides on the towpath look like they would be a lot of fun.

I think the lousy NE OH weather plays a big part in serious road cycling. In NJ, I ride all winter. In OH, most people are off their bikes for months.

Also, while visiting here this week, I've noticed a lot of young adults riding Vespa-type mopeds. Maybe an increase in cycle commuting will happen as gas prices stay high.

I've been riding home from work two or three times a week. I'd like to ride both ways, but I have to be there too early, and I don't want to ride in the dark :( Fortunately, my wife and I work at the same place, so in the summer, I can throw my bike in the back, she can leave when she needs to, and the car and the bike all end up in the same place at the end of the day.

The direct route home (Hunting Valley - Euclid) is about 14 miles on fairly flat terrain, but I've been taking the scenic/hillier route down River Rd and that area. That route is anywhere from 20-25 miles depending which way I go. It's a great ride until I get to Euclid, which is absolutely crappy place to ride and the only place I get nervous. I avoid Euclid Ave at all costs.

Commuting, to me, is a great way to get some miles in and keep fit. But if I weren't interested in riding for the sake of riding, I wouldn't see it being worth the hassle just to save some cash on fuel.

And further more: I can't understand why we can't have ANY off road (singletrack) riding in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park!
There are many volunteers that would build and maintain the trails for free.
This would bring more revenue into the area and promote biking as another form of exercise for the fattest city in the USA!:crash:


I love the Towpath; and, while I would like to see what you want to actually happen, I see a couple of problems. #1 is the narrowness of the actual park itself---the park is actually quite narrow and peoples' back yards are actually quite close to it. #2 is that I would imagine that the school of thought is that a single track might actually interfere with wildlife and historical factions of the park, as well as causng a budget crisi---more stuff to patrol. Plus, we have to keep the horsie people happy... We know it is a Federal park; we know how the Feds operate...

Tim C.

I don't understand why Northern Ohio is so slow to adopt/develop trails. I lived in NW Ohio for 25+ years and it was hard to find paved or off-road trails anywhere. A couple of years ago I moved down to the Cincinnati area and I can't believe all the trails down here.... and MILES of them!!

What is so different down here in SW Ohio (where it's a good bit hillier) than in NW or NE Ohio that the ODNR and local gov'ts endorse trail development and even try to incorporate them into city thruway plans?

Is it about the population density in this part of the state, or just a different mentality?

I love the Towpath; and, while I would like to see what you want to actually happen, I see a couple of problems. #1 is the narrowness of the actual park itself---the park is actually quite narrow and peoples' back yards are actually quite close to it. #2 is that I would imagine that the school of thought is that a single track might actually interfere with wildlife and historical factions of the park, as well as causng a budget crisi---more stuff to patrol. Plus, we have to keep the horsie people happy... We know it is a Federal park; we know how the Feds operate...

Tim C.

There is enough land in the park to allocate a few acres to off road bicycling.
I live near a trail in the park that has is barely used at all. I'm not talking about miles and miles of trail,
just 5 or 6 would be nice.

While looking for another ride with the Great Lakes BF family, I began reading this thread. And as a person who has seen things get done, I thought to tell you that you can find out through the government what the proceedures are, cost, and all other requirements and begin the process.

Nothing is done through just talk. You have to put in the leg work, lobbying, petitions, and all the prayer. The payoff is that either you will get it accomplished, make a stepping stone for later completion, or for someone else to build on the foundation you started.

Lois Moss, a Cleveland bicycling advocate, spent time and effort to get the Liberty Blvd/MLK road closed on Sundays for the Walk and Roll program. The road from the Art Museum to the Lake was closed to motor vehicle traffic. Many things were accomplished including givng those whom are not familiar with the University Circle vast array of things to do and see--a chance to get an invited open house, raising awareness for environmental issues, cycling as a form of recreation, and to give individuals and families a free avenue for fun on Sundays.

Last year we had all kinds of people participate, enjoy, and gain both knowledge and insight to our form of fun; leg powered locomotion. They even had the option of getting free testing by The Cleveland Clinic for various health issues. We had bands playing, hands on instrument "jam sessions", booths from the various recreation groups, and food and drinks available.

This year, barring some form of change, it looks to be even larger. As the CWRU community, and the Cleveland Clinic, as well as many others are getting on the bandwagon. We have even asked the various culturally featured gardens there to have information on themselves, and some of the churches and synagogues in the area to have outdoor, sit on the lawn, services nearby. My thought part is "Get out, and enjoy" Get out the box!

All of this started with an idea. But the difference was she, and her crew of viosionaries put works to their faith in getting an answers. "No" is an option, only if you are not willing to work, and get the system to give you a yes.

Formulate your plan, speak to those whom work in the government; whom by the way are always looking for a way to get things "fun" done in town. Then get to work.


Little did anyone know, as gas prices rise, that many who attended last year might be considering cycling as a form of transportation, instead of just recreation. And to those whom do not live by the paved trails, maybe your "dirt bike, MTB, theme can be enhanced and preached through your vision. Maybe someone will come out for the fun and see that they can traverse woodlands and rough roads to work on a bike style you feature--that might otherwise have resolved travel to what is. Great arteries always gain veins.

Looking back, a vision became a visionary. And a dream became a way of life, travel, and fun. I guess the great NE Ohio, "brain drain" did not affect this area!

Pressing on, and remembering that this "race", or endeavor in this case, is not given to them that quit early (the swift) or the them that greet the challenge with, "They won't let us!. Let's grumble" and do nothing (the strong), but to those who will endure the process till they see it happen.


Dreams are given for a reason, and they are not just time occupying things for sleep!

Make it happen!