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Columbus Aims to Become World-Class Cycling Community

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Started 11 months ago by surber17
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surber17

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Great Article on the future of cycling in Columbus! Exciting times for Columbus:

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Columbus aims to become world-class cycling community with infrastructure improvements

Business First by Cindy Bent Findlay
Date: Friday, May 25, 2012

Columbus is spending $6.4 million on bike paths, streetside bike lanes and other bicycling infrastructure this year. Barry Schumann appreciates the effort. From time to time, Schumann commutes to work on a COTA bus with his bicycle and then pedals about 20 miles back home to Westerville, mostly along the Olentangy River Trail from American Electric Power Company Inc.’s downtown headquarters.

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2012/05/25/columbus-investing-millions-in.html

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown / Gay Street
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The investment in infrastructure also fuels small business development:

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Investment in Biking Infrastructure Fuels Small Business Growth
TRENDSPOTTING — BY MELANIE MCINTYRE
AUGUST 13, 2010

Central Ohioans, like many people across the country, have rediscovered bicycling in recent years. Predictably, the trend has kept owners of existing bike shops in demand, but it also has created new opportunities for enterprising entrepreneurs and could even impact companies outside the biking industry, resulting in even greater regional economic growth.

READ MORE: http://www.themetropreneur.com/columbus/pastime-result-economic-growth/

Posted 11 months ago #
surber17

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thanks for fixing that link Walker!

Posted 11 months ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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I just visited the bike hubs in Xenia, yellow springs and beavercreek. Wow was I impressed, I hope we get some here.

Posted 11 months ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Westerville Bike Hub

Conversation around one out here on the west end.

Posted 11 months ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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Thanks Lifeontwowheels. Yes I am thrilled about those, I guess I did give the impression I did not know about them. The Westerville station is very nice, but small compared to what I saw this weekend. Just the covered patio area of the Beavercreek station is equivalent to the whole foot print of the Westerville Hub. Westerville does include a fireplace which will be nice.

Also these stations are about 10 miles apart. An easy ride for most. Westerville to Weston is more like 25 miles. Short for some, but not for me.

Beavercreek

btw I am the Ohio to Erie Content Editor - so actually funny you give me my own link. I guess I should be more specific when I whine.

Posted 11 months ago #
bferriot
Galloway
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@surber17 - Thanks for posting the article. Unfortunately, the remainder of the article is hidden behind a pay wall.

@byJody - I've been to the bike hub in Xenia several times--it is a beautiful structure--but only provides car parking, restrooms and a water fountain when open. There really aren't any bicycle specific amenities that I am aware of. Personally, I'm not very impressed with it, other than it being a way to preserve the building for future development. The Yellow Springs bike hub I've passed several times, not knowing that it was a hub at all (is it?). The Beavercreek photo looks quite impressive. What are the bicycle specific amenities there, if any?

My opinion is that Columbus is getting left WAY behind cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati and Dayton. And in a big way. Infrastructure, amenities, hubs, velodromes, lanes, boulevards, cycle tracks, on street bike parking. Almost everything but the bike paths, which I'm glad to see Metro Parks take over and expand - although we still need more east/west and neighborhood connectors.

I'm hoping there will be a huge push this year to get something done. There is a lot of different bike cultures here in the city and I think it's only going to grow and not shrink.

Posted 11 months ago #
byJody
Rural NW Columbus
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Columbus is now "a great place to park a bike" but not much beyond that. The new map is great, but still many islands of non connectivity (red). The best thing about the region to our west is the interconnectivity. You can bike from North Cincinnati to Dayton or Springfield, all on trail. I realize they have been at it for 25 years, I just feel like we have the city parks, city public service, the county, the university, the burbs, odot... all working their own plan but not much strategic regional collaboration like Miami Valley. This is just my personal perspective and I know others may not agree.

Posted 11 months ago #
News
Columbus Underground
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Bicycle-Friendly Business Districts Inspire Growth
Posted October 13, 2012

DETROIT— Throughout the United States, as smart growth and progressive urban planning concepts increasingly grab the attention of elected officials and residents alike, one particularly intriguing strategy is bolstering business development by encouraging residents to ride their bikes.

Organizers define a bicycle-friendly business district as an area where business owners actively encourage people, including employees, to bike to nearby shops and eateries. These cycle-friendly zones can inspire residents to slow their pace of life down, enabling them to discover and support businesses near where they live.

READ MORE: http://sustainablecitiescollective.com/jsoulliere/72946/bicycle-friendly-business-districts-inspire-growth

Posted 7 months ago #