A Photo Tour of our Proposed Shared Lane

BikeLakewood recommends that the following east-west streets be marked with shared lane markings.  Shared lane markings encourage cyclists to use the street instead of the sidewalk, remind cyclists to ride with (not against) traffic, and alert motorists to the possible presence of cyclists.

Lakewood's shared lane begins at Franklin Ave. and West 117th.  Franklin is three lanes wide (one lane each direction and a turning lane) until you get to Bunts. There is a solid stripe on both sides, 33" or so from the curb.   There is no on-street parking.  A part of this section of Franklin is shown here. BikeLakewood recommends that shared lane markings be painted sufficiently far from the curb that cyclists don't "hug the curb."

 

The path passes by Franklin School, providing easy access to its students and staff. Lakewood's proposed shared bike lane doesn't require confusing markings in any intersection.  Franklin Road was just rebuilt and is very smooth and comfortable for cyclists.
 

The path also passes Lakewood High School, providing its students and staff with easy access. There are several bike stands at Lakewood High School right next to entrances.  Some of the stands are protected from rain. Newer "roller" style racks are more attractive and secure and would be preferred however.
 

 
Continuing west on Franklin, west of Bunts, the roadway becomes four lanes, two lanes in each direction with no turning lane. There is no on-street parking and no right-side striping on this section of Franklin. Again, it should be relatively simple to paint shared lane marks after every intersection, sufficiently far from the curb. Shown here is part of this section of Franklin.

Franklin Road ends at Warren.  From here a cyclist is only one block from "downtown" Lakewood (Detroit and Warren). Though BikeLakewood does not  contemplate any  markings on Warren, the shared bike lane makes this commercial district a convenient destination. Perhaps signage could direct cyclists to the commercial district. The lane then continues west on Hilliard Road. Hilliard is three lanes in some stretches and four lanes in others. There is no on-street parking and no right-side striping, Again, simple shared lane markings could be used  throughout. Shown here is a section of Hilliard between Warren and Madison.

The shared lane heads west on Madison. This is the only section on which there is on-street automobile parking. Shared bike lane markings would be applied far enough from the curb to encourage cyclists to stay clear of the "door zone" of parked cars.   That places the left edge of the marking 14 feet from the curb, pretty much right in the middle of the right lane.  The path passes Harding School (construction webcam) and many Madison Ave. businesses.

When you reach Riverside, you can head south to Hogsback Lane and the Metropark. Lakewood's shared lane provides improved access to the dozens of miles of the  Cleveland Metropark's All Purpose Trail for thousands of Lakewood residents who cycle.
 

Or cyclists can continue north to Detroit Road and the many stores, restaurants and watering holes located there.
 

Lakewood's first shared lane (and the first in Northeast Ohio) has great potential. The roadway is reasonably bicycle-friendly already because it is reasonably wide, very smooth and flat, and does not carry a great deal of automobile traffic.  The posted speed limit is 35 MPH throughout.  There is no diagonal parking anywhere. The shared lane passes by three schools including the high school. And it is situated more or less in the middle of Lakewood, so most Lakewood residents are within three blocks of our proposed lane. It serves a big chunk of the population. Best of all, no street reconstruction is needed. And since there is no on-street parking for most of the length, no homeowners and motorists will be inconvenienced.

BikeLakewood believes it is time to get started....