Have You Met Bike Lakewood?

Have you met Bike Lakewood?

You may have noticed a lot of new bicycle signs, bike racks, and painted cycling symbols on the roadways, indicating a growing presence of bicyclists, but did you know about Lakewood’s bicycle citizen advocacy group? Bike Lakewood, with the mission statement of being a citizen-led organization committed to making Lakewood the most bike friendly city in the Ohio.

Over the past 20 years or so there have been varying incarnations of the group’s participation and a number of cycling advocates leading the way. For the past two years the group has been headed up by three individuals working with city officials, such as Bryce Sylvester and Tom Bullock, along with local organizations to improve our cycling culture. Keith Pishnery, Amanda Harland, and Ben VanLear have been paving the way with advocacy, research, education, rides, and promotional events. Over the past two years the group has covered a lot of ground.

Bike Lakewood has acted as the liaison to the city on behalf of residents regarding cycling laws and structure. Last year the group completed its first survey of residents’ concerns and desires in regards to education, engineering, events, and safety. The group met with leaders of various cycling organizations and narrowed down the results to streamline its projects and goals; as well as to prepare a report for Mayor Summers and the members of City Council. The bike survey results summary is available to the public on our Facebook page along with our safety checklist, and summary of Lakewood cycling laws.

In the past Bike Lakewood has participated in many local events like Bike for Beck, Bikes and Bands, Ready to Ride, and Welcome to Lakewood. The group has also been able to run some of its own events including the 1st and 2nd annual Bike to School Day, Bike to Work, Kidical Mass, and group rides. Group rides can be anything from a social roll around the Lakewood area on our Sunday rides, visits to a local businesses offering bike night specials on a Lakewood Nights ride, or a simple meet-up to ride to an event outside the area.

Bike Lakewood’s 2015 cycling season promises to be one of our best seasons yet. We have the honor of being a pilot group as a chapter of Bike Cleveland, which will open many doors of opportunity. There will be continued advocacy with a more educational Bike to School Day and increased awareness among cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike through our rides and event participation. For all the latest in Lakewood cycling events be sure to like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BikeLakewood/. You can find us throughout the cycling season at these events:

Bike to Work Day May 15th @ Lakewood Public Library Main Branch

Bike to School Day May 27th @ Garfield and Harding Middle Schools

Bike for Beck May 31st @ Beck Center for the Arts

Kidical Mass (May and August)

Bike Lakewood Social (September)

Social Rides (Seasonally)