Bancroft Road - King to Centennial
This past July (2021) we contacted the Lucas County Engineer's Office (LCEO) regarding a pavement resurfacing project on Bancroft between King Road and Centennial Road. Most of Bancroft west of McCord Road has adequate shoulders to accommodate marked bike lanes. We Are Traffic requested a review of this project to determine if there was sufficient width and LCEO agreed to change the marking pattern to provide for legal width bike lanes. As you enjoy the new pavement, you may notice that it does not include bike lane markings or signage. The original scope of the project did not include bike lanes but now that we have them marked correctly, we will seek funding to apply at a future date.

King Road - U/P Trail (Kings Pointe Road) to Central Avenue
This section is scheduled for resurfacing within the 2021 paving season. Last year we contacted LCEO and requested a review of the roadway cross-section to see if the existing bike lanes north of the U/P trail could be extended to Central Avenue. While not as wide, there is sufficient width to apply bike lanes as part of the resurfacing with markings and signage to be provded at a later date.

Corey Road - Central Avenue to Overpass (Chatham Valley)
This is a resurfacing project coordinated between Sylvania Township, Lucas County and City of Toledo for 2021 construction. We Are Traffic requested a review of this project for possible bike lanes and with the help of LCOE, all jurisdictions agreed to add marking for bike lanes. As with the other two projects, we will need to seek funding to add bike lane signage and lane markings. While the bridge over 475 creates a bottleneck, we'll have bike lanes on the south side to Central Avenue.

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.

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.