Two Steps Forward, One Step Back for Cleveland Cycle Track Plans

Advocates are thrilled that the city of Cleveland is seeking federal funding for a pair of ambitious cycle track plans—but one of the plans has been significantly watered down.

1 minute read

June 28, 2021, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Steven Litt reports that the city of Cleveland is seeking $32.5 million in federal funding for the Superior Avenue Midway in downtown, along with a similar cycle track project planned for Lorain Avenue on the West Side of the city.

The Cleveland Planning Commission approved the Lorain Avenue concept in 2015, but the project has changed in the ensuing years. Advocates expressed dismay, reports Litt, "that the city appears to be backpedaling on building the 2-mile Lorain Avenue project as a sidewalk-level, two-way cycle track from West 20th to West 65th Street," as approved in 2015.

Tom McNair, executive director of the nonprofit Ohio City Inc. community development corporation, "said the 2015 concept offered a chance to create a local equivalent of the highly-acclaimed Cultural Trail in downtown Indianapolis. That eight-mile, sidewalk-level cycle track separates cyclists from traffic and pedestrians along its entire length."

The Superior Avenue Midway is planned "as a two-mile, sidewalk-level cycle track in a 30-foot-wide central median that would extend from Public Square east to East 55th Street."

Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Cleveland.com

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Urban sidewalk shaded by large mature trees

Cool Walkability Planning

Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

June 1, 2023 - Todd Litman

Interstate 55 with cars and green freeway signs in Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Legislators Pass Controversial I-55 Road Expansion Legislation

Legislation to enable the addition of express toll lanes on Interstate 55 in the Southwest Side of Chicago, opposed by environmental justice advocates, cleared the Illinois General Assembly last month.

June 7, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

Dallas Freeways

Federal Infrastructure Dollars Funding Road Expansions

Far from kickstarting a transformative change in transportation policy, the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law continues to fund traditional road-building projects.

June 9 - Climatewire

An aerial view of a park and the streets and high-rises of Downtown Omaha.

Downtown Omaha Planning for its Post-One-Way-Streets Era

The Omaha City Council has decided to reverse the transportation model adopted in the city in the 1950s, for the benefit of traffic safety and local retail activity.

June 9 - KETV

A red sun appears on the horizon, as obscured by haze from wildfire smoke.

Planning for Proximity, for the Climate’s Sake

A new global platform will help the world identify and encourage opportunities for more proximity in the built environment—development patterns that can help reduce sources of greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution if built well.

June 9 - C40 Cities

Assistant/Associate Planner

Bossier City - Parish MPC

Principal Planner – Advanced Plans

Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department

Planning Officer

City of Bangor

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.