Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act

Submitted by keith.webb on Mon, 03/22/2021 - 22:46

Take Action NOW to support better funding for biking and walking

Since it was established in 2012, the Transportation Alternatives program has funded billions of dollars' worth of local community transportation improvements like bikeways, sidewalks, recreational trails, and safe routes to school projects.

But barriers in the application process and obstacles in distributing funding have impeded the implementation of many more projects or left projects altogether unfunded. The Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act aims to build more biking and walking infrastructure by spending tax dollars more efficiently.

You have the power to convince Congress to make that choice for better biking, for better walking, and for better communities.

Join the League of American Bicyclissts and We Are Traffic in asking your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the Transportation Alternatives Enhancement Act »

Take Action

Bikes May Use Full Lane Signage in Sylvania

Submitted by keith.webb on Mon, 01/25/2021 - 23:49

The City of Sylvania along with Sylvania Township are working together to help make Sylvania a great place to ride you bike. The Sylvania Area Bikeways Initiative committee was formed a few years ago to first take an inventory of the great resources we already enjoy, and work to identify future improvements that will enhance the connectivity for both recreation and transportation cyclists. The initiative includes representation from Olander Park System, City of Sylvania, Sylvania Township, Lucas County Engineering, TMACOG and We Are Traffic. Check out the map to see where signage has been placed and improvement areas that will be a work in progress.

Bikes May Use Full Lane (BMUFL) signs are placed along corridors where you can expect bicycle traffic, and serves to remind cyclists that they may use the full lane under the guidelines set in the Ohio Revised Code. Referencing ORC 4511.55, Section C:

(C) This section does not require a person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do so, including if the lane is too narrow for the bicycle or electric bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

Many motorists are not aware that bicycles are vehicles and cyclists have the same rights *and* responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. ORC 4511.55 also requires motorists to provide at least 3 feet of clearance with passing cyclists. When conditions are safe to pass, motorists should completely change lanes to pass and when clear, move back into the travel lane.

The first Bikes May Use Full Lanes in NW Ohio were installed on Monclova Road in 2017 and we continue to look for opportunities to educate all users of the roadway. It should be noted that cyclists can exercise their right to use the full lane under the guidance of ORC 4511 without signage. BMUFL signage helps to educate but does not define the area where you can use the full lane, that is defined by the ORC. Using the full lane provides addition layers of safety for transportation cyclists but each individual must assess their skill and knowledge when becoming part of the traffic flow. Motorists are required to take classes and tests to obtain a basic level of driving skills before getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, A similar mindset should be adopted by cyclists that are serious about driving their bike in the roadway.

Share the Road signs have also been placed in areas where the roadway may be wide enough to share or a centerline does not exist in the roadway to denote separate lanes.

Glass City Metropark Opens

Submitted by keith.webb on Fri, 12/04/2020 - 17:01

We are so excited about the official opening of Glass City Metropark this week! Not only that, this is only Phase 1 with so much more to come.

We Are Traffic has been working with Metroparks to enhance routine accommodation for cyclists since our first hardware project to install Bike Fix-it Stations in five (5) Metropark locations. We are proud to continue our support as the supplier of the custom bike racks and Fix-it Station for Glass City Metropark!

If your project is in need of bike parking infrastructure, we would love to work with you. We are a local advocacy dealer for Dero bike racks so a portion of the proceeds stay in Toledo in support of our mission. Contact us by emailing bikerack@WeAreTraffic.org

If you would like to read more about the Glass City Metropark, click here.

Cycling RIGHTS - Bicycles, E-Bikes & Micro-Mobility Devices

Submitted by keith.webb on Tue, 11/10/2020 - 12:30

Get your copy of Greater Cleveland's Bike Attorney/Cyclist Kenneth Knabe's Cycling RIGHTS, an expansive overview of the rapidly evolving landscape of Ohio bike law, bike infrastructure and what it means, legally and practically for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

Our sincere thanks to Ken for making these copies available, your $20 donation will secure your copy of Cycling RIGHTS with 100% of your donations supporting We Are Traffic. Get your copy today by clicking on the photo above, shipping is included.

Summit Street Road Diet (Lucas County)

Submitted by keith.webb on Tue, 10/13/2020 - 16:48

Summit Street at 131st, looking north

We are pleased to see the recently completed road diet on Summit Street just north of downtown Toledo. The project begins at 131st Street and ends at the Ohio state line where the Michigan side continues with paved shoulders (that is another campaign). Thanks to the Lucas County Engineer's office for reaching out to We Are Traffic for project review and input. There is a recently completed study for the Vistula Neighborhood that would add bike lanes to Summit between Cherry St. and I-280 and we hope that if that segment is developed, the City would extend the bike lanes north. As for the section near Promenade Park, no bike lanes were included but we are asking for sharrows and BMUFL signage to promote the corridor for commuting.

Mid-project on Summit Street, already in use!

Looking south from Michigan state line!

Kilburn Bike Lanes Phase 1 of 3

Submitted by keith.webb on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 13:17

UPDATE: August 3, 2020 - Phase 1 is completed! Thanks to Lucas County, Richfield Township and the residents along Kilburn Road! When completed, this will provide a great connection to Secor Metroparks and the new trail to Wiregrass Metropark and beyond!

Steady progress on the first section of bike lanes that will evetually connect Secor Metroparks to Sylvania-Metamora Road. This is "Phase 1" that runs from the Metropark entrance on Central Avenue to Sylvania Avenue. Construction is expected to complete Summer of 2020! Phase 2 has funding for construction in 2021 that will continue the lanes to Brint Road. The final phase is not fully funded. Special thanks to the Lucas County Engineer's Office for making this happen, originally conceived around 2005!