The bronze-level award recognizes the significant improvements made in the City's bicycle infrastructure and advocacy, following an extensive period of public outreach and engagement that resulted in 2010's comprehensive Bike Transportation Plan.
These improvements include the installation of sharrows on Madison Road, Spring Grove Avenue, and Central Parkway; the addition of bike lanes on Martin Luther King Drive, Dana Avenue, and Beechmont Avenue; the installation of more than 100 bicycle racks in neighborhood business districts; the addition of "corral"-style bicycle parking; bicycle-specific pavement markings at priority intersections, showing riders where to position themselves to trigger the green light; and improved signage for motorists reminding them to "Share the Road".
And the Cincinnati Bike Center, offering bicycle rentals, repairs, tours, and locker/shower facilities, opened at Smale Riverfront Park on May 6.
"We're honored to be included among America's most bicycle-friendly communities," said Michael Moore, director of the City's Department of Transportation and Engineering. "The award, as well as the bike share study, show the City's continued commitment and investment to making bicycling a viable transportation option for our residents."
That bike share study will examine the feasibility of making public bicycles available for rent, on demand, at fully-automated kiosks Downtown, in Over-the-Rhine, and in the Uptown neighborhoods.
Bike share programs typically consist of several bicycle rental kiosks, with 10-12 bicycles per kiosk, at convenient locations throughout the city. The kiosks accept credit card payment for rental. Bicycles can be returned at any kiosk location, and the rental cost is determined by the length of use.
Alta Bicycle Share is the most experienced bike share company in the United States and has developed and launched systems in Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC.
Previous reading on BC:
Cincinnati Bike Center opens on riverfront (5/9/12)
E Mitchell to get bike lane this summer (4/9/12)
Bike lanes added to Dana Avenue (12/2/09)
Large turnout for bicycle planning open house (10/12/09)
Interactive OKI bike route guide now online (7/15/09)
