Cleveland Bike Path Plan Leaves Some Locals Unhappy

Change was slow to come to a neighborhood in Cleveland, but not everyone is pleased with what a new riverside bike path will bring with it.

1 minute read

April 23, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Cleveland, Ohio

Robert J Daveant / Shutterstock

Mark Naymik writes about the Major Hoopples bar in the Flats neighborhood of Cleveland. The working-class bar is on the Cuyahoga River in an area that had seen little change until recently.

"In the case of Hoopples, change is coming in the form of a bike path that is a part of highly touted and unique trail system slowly moving through the Flats. It will likely force change on the business that’s been largely alone on the street for nearly 40 years," says Naymik.

The bike path would eliminate 12 to 15 parking spaces on the street where Major Hoopples is located, and the owner says the lack of free parking will severely affect his business. "I was drawn to Hoopples and its amiable owner, Norm Plonski Jr., because their story illustrates concerns about gentrification that are being raised in a number of rebounding neighborhoods of Cleveland," notes Naymik.

Thursday, April 11, 2019 in Cleveland.com

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

6 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post