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

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

The largest wildlife overpass in North America stretching over the I-25. Both sides of the overpass, and the overpass itself, are covered in brown grass.

Record-breaking wildlife overpass in Colorado brings 91% reduction in animal collisions

Prior to the overpass, vehicles were hitting one deer per day on Colorado’s Interstate 25.

September 28, 2026 - CBS Colorado

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

30 minutes ago - Baltimore Sun

A view from below the HUD. The building is gray with a grid of windows.

Trump wants to cancel nearly 98% of funding for HUD housing support program

Multiple housing groups are suing the administration in an effort to preserve the funding.

1 hour ago - The Washington Sun

A view of NYC sky rises under a cloudy sky.

See the 12 communities on New York City’s affordable housing naughty list

The Upper East and West Sides, Elmhurst, and Bayside are among the communities that have built little affordable housing over the past five years, and now will see certain projects fast-tracked under new city rules.

2 hours ago - City Limits

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design