Enticing group bike rides in the Heights and NEO

The new bike box at the intersection of North Park Boulevard and North Woodland Road in Cleveland Heights is the first in Northeast Ohio. Photo courtest Bike Cleveland.

A good way to become more comfortable with riding a bicycle around town and beyond is to join a group ride. Group rides are also a way to meet like-minded people. Heights Bicycle Coalition (HBC) is just one group that plans bicycle rides, and Cleveland Heights is steadily adding bicycle infrastructure to make bicycling more comfortable and safe.

Infrastructure improvements: With the multipurpose trail on the south side of Cedar Glen Parkway now complete, bicyclists and pedestrians have an excellent way to separate themselves from motorized traffic along a heavily used roadway. This summer, the bicycle lanes on North Park Boulevard between Harcourt and Shelburne roads are getting painted buffers, which further separate bicyclists and cars. Going eastbound on North Park, a “bike box” has been added at North Woodland Road. Watch for signage to come soon for how to use this feature, which makes the intersection easier to navigate for all users of the road.

Group rides for your consideration: On Sunday, Aug. 5, 1–2:30 p.m., Sarah O’Keeffe is calling all biking families and friends to “Explore University Heights by Bike.” This ride starts from the University Heights Community Park at 2339 Fenwick Road and will explore the park paths and sidewalks of the Fenwick Road neighborhood. The slow and steady ride will travel on residential roads and sidewalks, and will end back at the park with a free ice cream treat for riders, courtesy of HBC.  

On Saturday, Aug. 25, Jessica Yox will lead a ride to downtown Cleveland using a combination of city streets and bike lanes to explore coffee shops. This “Biking Has Its Perks!” ride departs at 9 a.m. from the corner of Coventry Road and North Park Boulevard. It will stop at three coffee shops for some morning brew. Riders can ride back up Cedar Hill with the group or take the RTA back to Cleveland Heights.

Please note that parents must accompany children under 16 for these and all family rides. Children must be confident riding two-wheeled bikes without training wheels. Children on or in trail-a-bikes, bike trailers, cargo bikes and bikes with child seats are also welcome.

Coming in September: HBC and Heights Community Congress will once again collaborate to offer discounted tickets to those who reduce parking congestion by bicycling to see the Heights Heritage Home & Garden Tour on Sunday, Sept. 16. Bicyclist tickets will be sold on the day of the tour at the bike fix-it station at the corner of Coventry Road and North Park Boulevard. Information will be available on the HBC website as the event approaches.

For information on more local and regional rides, visit HBC's website, www.bikesintheheights.org, and Bike Cleveland’s website, www.bikecleveland.org. Summer is a great time for bicycling and riding creates a nice breeze that can cool you off while you get some exercise.

Heights Bicycle Coalition

Heights Bicycle Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to educating and encouraging Heights community members to use bicycles as a sustainable and healthy form of transportation and recreation. This article was written by HBC board members Jamison Babb, Mary Dunbar and Debra Franke.

Read More on Life Cycle
Volume 11, Issue 8, Posted 11:49 AM, 07.24.2018