Group developing new biking map
Bicycle Task Force working on township road map
Dan Rasey presents Medina County Bicycle Transportation Task Force Treasurer Suzanne Swain with a check for $180 raised through the Biking for Mother Earth bike tour. Photo by GLENN WOJCIAK
MEDINA – A new map of safe bike routes around Medina County is taking shape through the efforts of the Medina County Bicycle Transportation Task Force.
Task Force President Beth Schnabel told committee members Aug. 2 that she had recently met with trustees in Lafayette, Westfield and Wadsworth townships to get their cooperation in placing road signs reminding travelers of the new state law which requires drivers to allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist on the road.
She had previously met with trustees in Liverpool, Litchfield and York townships and more meetings are planned with the elected officials in most other townships around the county.
The new road signs are courtesy of Medina Township resident Murray Van Epp who pledged $5,000 toward the purchase of about 40 of the traffic signs that remind motorists of the new law. Task Force members have been negotiating with public officials about the best locations to place those signs.
The process has led Schabel and other task force members to consider developing a new map of relatively safe biking routes on township roads that will link with existing biking trails around the county. The new map will be a supplement or alternative to a new Medina County bike map
printed earlier this year by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.
NOACA develops bike maps for all five counties in the region it represents. It does so in collaboration with county and local governments, park systems, and non-profit organizations like Bike Medina, the alternative name for the Medina County Bicycle Transportation Task Force formed by volunteers in 2016 to expand safe cycling opportunities.
The NOACA map indicates trails and suggested routes along existing roads and streets that are safe for cyclists of all skill levels and experience. Those routes were determined partly by interviews with children and adults at a series of public meetings held around the county and partly by testing.
The recommended routes are color coded to indicate the level of experience bikers should have if they choose to ride them. Maps are available at libraries, recreation centers and other locations around the county.
Bike tour
The Bicycle Task Force is also finalizing plans for its annual Lake to Lake Harvest Bike Tour beginning at Buckeye Woods Park Sept. 16.
Participants in the event will set off on scenic rides of 32 or 50 miles with a shorter option for casual and family riders that will be 15 miles or less with the option to turn around early. Entry fee is $25 before Sept 1 and $30 afterwards.
In person registration for the longer rides begins at 7:30 a.m. at Buckeye Woods Park in Lafayette Township the day of the event. Registration for the casual ride begins at 9 a.m.
Participants can also register in advance by downloading a registration form from the Task Force website which can be found at bikemedinacounty.weebly.com.
Registration forms are also available at bike shops and recreation centers around the county as well as Cool Beans coffee shops. Proceeds go toward the task force goal of purchasing bike route signs and establishing more safe bicycle routes around the county.
Task Force President Beth Schnabel told committee members Aug. 2 that she had recently met with trustees in Lafayette, Westfield and Wadsworth townships to get their cooperation in placing road signs reminding travelers of the new state law which requires drivers to allow at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist on the road.
She had previously met with trustees in Liverpool, Litchfield and York townships and more meetings are planned with the elected officials in most other townships around the county.
The new road signs are courtesy of Medina Township resident Murray Van Epp who pledged $5,000 toward the purchase of about 40 of the traffic signs that remind motorists of the new law. Task Force members have been negotiating with public officials about the best locations to place those signs.
The process has led Schabel and other task force members to consider developing a new map of relatively safe biking routes on township roads that will link with existing biking trails around the county. The new map will be a supplement or alternative to a new Medina County bike map
printed earlier this year by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.
NOACA develops bike maps for all five counties in the region it represents. It does so in collaboration with county and local governments, park systems, and non-profit organizations like Bike Medina, the alternative name for the Medina County Bicycle Transportation Task Force formed by volunteers in 2016 to expand safe cycling opportunities.
The NOACA map indicates trails and suggested routes along existing roads and streets that are safe for cyclists of all skill levels and experience. Those routes were determined partly by interviews with children and adults at a series of public meetings held around the county and partly by testing.
The recommended routes are color coded to indicate the level of experience bikers should have if they choose to ride them. Maps are available at libraries, recreation centers and other locations around the county.
Bike tour
The Bicycle Task Force is also finalizing plans for its annual Lake to Lake Harvest Bike Tour beginning at Buckeye Woods Park Sept. 16.
Participants in the event will set off on scenic rides of 32 or 50 miles with a shorter option for casual and family riders that will be 15 miles or less with the option to turn around early. Entry fee is $25 before Sept 1 and $30 afterwards.
In person registration for the longer rides begins at 7:30 a.m. at Buckeye Woods Park in Lafayette Township the day of the event. Registration for the casual ride begins at 9 a.m.
Participants can also register in advance by downloading a registration form from the Task Force website which can be found at bikemedinacounty.weebly.com.
Registration forms are also available at bike shops and recreation centers around the county as well as Cool Beans coffee shops. Proceeds go toward the task force goal of purchasing bike route signs and establishing more safe bicycle routes around the county.
