Bike Cleveland held their 2014 year in review recap at the Sachsenheim Hall.  Fittingly, a quinceanara was was also happening on the lower floor. Scene magazine gives a vivid description of the ambience here. REAL Cleveland.  

In previous years, many of Bike Cleveland's members rode. This year, it was icy and cold - not conducive to riding, but the event still made accomodations in the side lot of the Sachsenheim- the above photo shows arrangements made c/o Ohio City Bikes.  And, Bike Cleveland board member Barb Clint did ride the 19 miles from her home to the event (shame on you, younger board members!:)

I have some hope for Northeast Ohio when it comes to cycling- especially in terms of improving our lifestyle and quality of life here.  In many ways, we could be the Amsterdam of the New World - consider this description of Amsterdam from a pair of 50-somethings who are trying out retirement in the Netherlands: 

"Weekend activities are highly season-dependent. Spring and summer offer weather mild enough to pursue lengthy bike rides, up to 60 miles or so, as well as visits to parks, markets, open-air concerts and fairs. The diminished daylight and lower temperatures in winter are mostly conducive to indoor activities, museum and library visits. An annual admission card costing about €50 (about $58) provides access to the majority of museums and other cultural venues."

As a fifty-something looking towards retirement, I want a quality of life that will allow me to enjoy cultural activities and nature without having to get into a car.  I chose to live in my Cleveland neighborhood (Brooklyn Centre) because of proximity to resources and destinations that have value to me.  I am frustrated by the lack of coordination and focus by various groups in Northeast Ohio steering the direction of transportation here.  I was heartened to see that the average age of participants at last night's annual meeting was not 20-30, but 40-60.  Next year, I hope to see entire families with their kids in tow.  Cycling is a way of life.  We need to see dedicated bike lanes that are safe, maintained and available to use YEAR-round.  We need to repeat the bike mantra 8 to 80.  Cleveland has so much potential.  

I also want to reiterate to Bike Cleveland - you need to get out from under Forest City - you need to convince Metroparks to make Art House an affiliate of their programming and work to restore the Wirth House as a bike node along Denison Ave.  

Denison IS going to be a pivotal route for the Bike Network in Cleveland.  Thank you Bike Cleveland for making Denison Bike Lanes a priority in 2012 - it will be a reality in 2015.  

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Response on Facebook

• Barbara Clint Laura, I feel compelled to comment on two of your comments. First, Bike Cleveland IS focused and the purpose of our upcoming retreat is to step back and ensure that what we set out to do three years ago remains relevant and our top priorities. Second, Bike Cleveland does NOT have an effort to "push to put bike lanes everywhere." I represented Bike Cleveland at the Clark TLCI planning meeting and clearly heard that the community was unwilling to sacrifice parking and center turn lanes. My recommendation following this meeting was two-fold: that BC really gets behind both the Train Avenue multi-purpose trail proposal and the Red Line Green line. In terms of the " need to make bike lifestyle relevant in NEO," the intent of the The Midway - Cleveland's Protected Bikeway Network is to do precisely that: create safe, stress-free spaces connecting Cleveland neighborhoods to each other and critical regional resources.

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  Laura McShane Thanks Barb for commenting -there is definitely a need for dialogue - would like chance to meet up - it is hard for any one to know Bike Cleveland's priorities related to Metroparks, related to NOACA founding, related to RTA...related to CDCs and City who will manage this infrastructure.

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  Laura McShane I can't type on this tablet..

  7 hrs · Like
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  Laura McShane And also I think that the towpath and northern connection to the lakefront and neighborhoods is strangely ignored in bike network discussions. We also need high level connection to bring access to east and west side in connection to the trail in Cuyahoga Valley.

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  Laura McShane See Trail Towns and economic benefits of cycling along Great Allegheny Passage as example. http://www.trailtowns.org/

Laura McShane I don't mean to be pessimistic on Midway idea but CLE can't coordinate infrastructure projects and would not be able maintain...look at lost opportunity to build in bike accommodations with resurfacing of Superior Ave...there is no coordination with Dominion either as gaslines are being replaced throughout our region... also there is no coordination with City of Cleveland in decisions related to bike parking and bike sharing... I know Angie Schmidt has questioned WHY ? the private company brought in to do bike rentals... and the locations. I noted some doubt in presentation by Jacob VanSickle re: this "private" company. http://realneo.us/.../bike-sharing-programs-cle-cin-col...

Please see comments: 

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2017/12/noaca_boosts_protected_bike_la.html

Two projects-Midway and Lorain- pitched by Bike Cleveland have received funding through NOACA.  I am disappointed that Bike Cleveland does very little to promote existing bike infrastructure including the Denison bike lanes fought for in 2012.  Relying on the City of Cleveland to complete these projects is pure folly.  And, the cost is outrageous.