Toledo-Lucas County Mott Library - Sustainability by Design

Submitted by keith.webb on

Mark your calendars for the grand opening of our new Mott Branch Library on June 7th! The new Mott Branch is located across the street from the former Mott Branch at 1010 Dorr Street. Join us for festivities beginning at 4:30 p.m., followed by a formal presentation at 5:30 p.m. with community leaders and organizations. More info: http://www.toledolibrary.org/construction/mott

The Toledo-Lucas County Library has once again, make bicycle parking a part of the design for the new Mott Library soon to open on Dorr Street. This location is within Toledo where the city has codified bike parking requirements for new contruction that is considered by the Toledo Plan Commission. We would like to recognize the Library for making bike parking a stardard requirement of design. The City of Toledo is currently the only jurisdiction with codified bike parking requirements that provides routine accomodations for cyclists. You will find that all Toledo-Lucas County libraries include bike parking, regardless of the (lack) of requirements by the local jurisdiction. Thank you Toledo-Lucas County Library!

We are actively working to promote local ordinances in each jurisdiction so that bike parking is considered along with other parking requirements for new and retrofit constuction.

University Parks Trail Extension

Submitted by keith.webb on


Click image for additional photos...




Check out the great progress being made on the University Parks Trail extension! This project was started a few years ago and is finally becoming reality with completion scheduled for end of May 2019 (weather permitting). This will take extend the trail westward to Silica Road. Thank you Lucas County and Toledo Metroparks!

To learn more about this project and the plans for further expansion of the U/P trail, CLICK HERE.

Intersection Improvements Benefit Cyclists

Submitted by keith.webb on


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Last August 2018, ODOT was resurfacing Central Avenue from King Road to US 23. During the milling process, a portion of Sequoia Road was included in the process, the "loop wire" that is used to detect vehicles was pulled from the roadway [click for photo]. The loop wire was replaced below the new pavement surface, so you could not see where the wire was located in the road to properly place your bike for detection. We reported this issue to ODOT and originally requested placement a "Bicycle Detector Pavement Marking" and signage.

In conversations with Dylan Foukes at ODOT, he mentioned that there was a project to improve several intersections along Central Avenue and while Sequoia Road was not originally part of the project, Dylan believed that the new technology being deployed would provide a better solution for cyclists and Sequoia was included. This intersection is particularly important to cyclists as it provides a pathway to the University Parks Trailhead.

The new sensors were installed on May 9 and are now fully functional after being programmed on May 15. Now you will not need to guess where to place your bike for the signal crossing, position in the center of the lane like any other vehicle. Many thanks to Dylan Foukes and the ODOT team in thinking forward about bicycle transportation! 

Now if you're a nerd like me, watch this short video to learn how the radar works, very cool!

Right Hook Prevention in Bike Lanes

Submitted by keith.webb on

Dear MOTORIST...this video is for you! If you do not know about right hooks, they are a leading cause of injury and death to cyclists, please watch this video! In the video, you will note dashed lines near the intersection to re-enforce merging into the bike lane. Note that some bike lanes may not have this feature but merging is still allowed. Thanks to ODOT for producing the video along with support from Cycling Savvy!

2019 Commuter Special Use Trail Permit Available

Submitted by keith.webb on

Special Use Permit

Get your 2019 pass today, they're free and allow 24/7 access to the trail for commuting!

Regional trails are used for commuting as well as recreation, fitness and enjoying nature. Because trail hours are the same as the Metroparks - 7 a.m. until dark every day of the year - it limits some commuters' options. For example, someone bicycling to work, school or church during open hours would be unable to return on the same trail after dark.  

For this reason, Metroparks Toledo issues special permits for after hours commuting on the University Parks Trail, Wabash Cannonball Trail and Chessie Cirlcle Trail.

Download an Application Form

Commuter permits can be attached to a bicycle to show that the commuter has received permission to use a trail for transportation during hours when the trail is closed.  The Blade published a story here.
 

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