Updated: 06/28/2007

ADDED: 5/29/07

ClevelandBikes seeks to advance and promote all forms of bicycling as economical and healthful recreation, sport and transportation. Since its inception, ClevelandBikes has assisted policy makers and the public to address important priorities in transportation, safety, recreation and health.  Here are some specific activities for the summer:

Bike to Work Days: We've expanded our “Bike to Work” activities, kicking off our summer with daily rides during “Bike to Work” week,in May. On the final Friday of every month, during the spring, summer and fall, ClevelandBikes ride leaders will meet riders at pre-scheduled locations and times for monitored commutes into Cleveland, where riders and others join for coffee and breakfast. Partners include host AJ Rocco's Coffee (Huron Road, near E. 9^th Street and Prospect Avenue), the City of Cleveland, Greater Cleveland YMCA and others. 

Law Reform in Cities Around NE Ohio: ClevelandBikes Board Members prepared letters to advise local public officials about cycling law reform and best practices. If you are concerned about riding and safety in your own community and want to help update your local laws, contact ClevelandBikes. 

Ride to Cleveland's July Ingenuity Festival (July 18-22):  ClevelandBikes will offer bicycle parking at a Cycling Arts and Culture Village at the Ingenuity Festival. One of our region's premier Festivals, Ingenuity celebrates the creativity in arts and technology, and will be held at Cleveland's Playhouse Square, in the Euclid Avenue/East 14^th St. neighborhood.  Ride your bike to the festival, use the safe and secure bike paring facility, cool off in the water fountain art installation and enjoy a discount for events throughout the Festival. Planning for additional activities is underway. Visit the website for more details.

For more information, visit: www.clevelandbikes.org

When ClevelandBikes, Cleveland Benefits!

-ADDED: 4/14/07

Dear ClevelandBikes Friend:

As part of the Northeast Ohio cycling community, you may have already noticed the tremendous growth in cycling, now stronger than ever before. Our volunteer organization of riders is the leading advocate for cycling in our community. We have been pleased to contribute to this growth and we're excited about the region's  future.

ClevelandBikes was created in 2003 by concerned cyclists in Northeast Ohio, who united around the shared goal of promoting safe riding and advancing all forms of cycling as a healthy recreation, sport and transportation. Cleveland is now joining other cities with strong bicycle programs. We had a remarkable year, bringing together area bike clubs, committed individual members and planners to advance a cycling agenda for Northeast Ohio. Some of our successes include:

Help us keep the wind at our backs by joining or contributing to ClevelandBikes. Your support will help expand programs and activities. In gratitude, you'll continue to receive CrankMail, The Definitive Voice of Northern Ohio Cyclists, offering interesting cycling news and information. Additionally, you'll know that your support will continue to advance cycling in our community and improve our ability to advocate on behalf of cyclists. You can support ClevelandBikes or make a donation using Paypal through our website or writing to ClevelandBikes.

-ADDED 3/28/07

ClevelandBikes was formed to serve as an umbrella organization, with members addressing a wide variety of cycling concerns. Our volunteers are engaged in transportation and planning issues, safety and health education for kids and adults and, don’t forget, we publish CrankMail.  Our members include bicycle clubs, individual riders, transportation planners, educators and concerned residents throughout Northeast Ohio.  Quite simply, we are working to highlight, promote and advance all forms of cycling in Northeast Ohio!

If you are a member, thank you. We’re pleased to have you and hope you enjoy your complimentary copy of CrankMail. However, perhaps you have friends, family members or riding partners who share your goals and also want to advance cycling. If so, tell them about ClevelandBikes, encourage them to join us and consider supporting ClevelandBikes with your tax deductible contributions.  Thanks and feel free to contact us with your thoughts and goals (you can reach us at: Rob Schwab, Treasurer, Cleveland Bikes, 16781 Chagrin Road, #167  Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120 or info@clevelandbikes.org).

Safety Notes: At some point, we’ve probably all faced it…an angry motorists screams, “get off the road” (or worse)… the polite conversation that asks “why can’t they stay on the sidewalk?”…or the planner who asks “we built a park path, what more do they want?”  ClevelandBikes board members reviewed the laws of communities around Northeast Ohio, identifying many local laws that violate principles of traffic safety, as well as common sense.  To educate policy makers and the public, ClevelandBikes is sharing the information with Mayors and Council Members and, already, some significant reforms are underway.  If you want a report letter tailored for your City and you can join ClevelandBikes in the activities to update your local laws to correspond with Ohio transportation law and best practices, please contact us at ClevelandBikes.

Until then, please consider the following common fallacies about bicycle operation on the road, as well as some facts to refute them from Fred Oswald, Board Member of ClevelandBikes and the Ohio Bicycle Federation.  Some common cycling fallacies:

There is great danger in riding on the road because of traffic passing from behind.  Most non-cyclists believe this – there are so many cars passing so close and you cannot see them coming.  But bicycling crash studies show these kinds of collisions are extremely rare, especially for urban cycling in daytime.  Hint: if cars are passing closer than you’d like, move left – further into the lane.  Yes, this is counterintuitive but it works.  Try it!  If you “control the lane” you show passing drivers that they must change lanes to pass you.  And that makes them give you more space.

Roads are for cars.  Cyclists’ greatest duty is “staying out of the way.”  Actually, the roads belong to all citizens.  Except for a few limited access roads, you have the same right as anyone else.  And, if you try to stay out of the way, you encourage motorists to squeeze past with inadequate clearance.  Motorists and cyclists can “Share the roads” -- after all, we’re taxpayers, too!

-ADDED 2/19/07

News From ClevelandBikes

We are almost as excited in welcoming the new publishing trio to CrankMail, as we are saddened with Tom Meara's departure.  Tom helped stabilize and bring CrankMail forward when it was most vulnerable and we are deeply grateful.  The future growth of CrankMail and ClevelandBikes is linked to the early days of transition, and it's worth it to take a moment to reflect and thank Tom, as well as other ClevelandBikes pioneers like Brendan McNamara, Jim Sheehan, Ann Whalen, Fred Oswald,  Cal Kirchick, Mindy Kuth. Rob Schwab, Lois Moss, Dominic Liberatore, Ryan McKenzie, Marty Cooperman and others. 

Now, it's on to the next set of challenges, but we need your help.  We welcome your thoughts for the new look for CrankMail and ask for your advice in guiding CrankMail to fulfill what we pledge to do – be a voice for cycling in Northeast Ohio   Let us know what's on your mind ...  good ... bad, but please don't be indifferent.

While we are pleased to publish CrankMail, ClevelandBikes was formed to advance and promote all forms of bicycling as economical and healthful recreation, sport and transportation.  Here are some things we're excited to be working on....

Reform on the Roads and Bridges:  ClevelandBikes is working to promote greater access for cyclists and pedestrians, calling for Ohio and cities to respect all forms of transportation and “complete the streets,” in building or repairing roads and bridges for 21^st century needs.   If you want to learn more about specific projects, like the Innerbelt Bridge, or the West Shoreway, visit the transportation section of the ECO City website (www.gcbl.org) and let the Ohio Department of Transportation know you want  a more prominent role for cycling and pedestrians.  In the weeks to come, we will move more of these activities to our own website, but please don't delay in writing ODOT to let them know your concerns (write: Lora.Hummer@dot.state.oh.us ).

Law Reform in Cities Around NE Ohio:  ClevelandBikes and Ohio Bicycle Federation Board member Fred Oswald reviewed the laws of various cities around NE Ohio, comparing them with state law reform and model cycling laws.  Individualized letters are being sent to various city leaders in Northeast Ohio, with follow-up from ClevelandBikes, urging local law reform to improve cycling and safety. If you want to join in sending a letter to your elected city leaders, and you can stay in contact with them and assist your city leaders to improve safety laws, please contact us (216.374.7578). 

Ride for Climate Change:  HG Wells wrote that when he sees grown men on bicycles, he
doesn't despair for the world. Imagine his reaction when he learned about two riders on a cross country bicycle tour to educate the public and raise attention for global climate change?  Two riders will circle the country, expecting to arrive in Northeast Ohio on May 18th, to talk about the nation's climate change challenge   ClevelandBikes will join with organizations like the Earth Day coalition to develop activities for the riders while in Northeast Ohio. For more information, visit their website (www.rideforclimate.com/usa) and to assist with local activities, contact ClevelandBikes.

Ride to the July Ingenuity Festival:   ClevelandBikes will be hosting the Cycling Arts and Culture Village at Ingenuity Festival, which will be held at Playhouse Square, July 18-22.  Ride to one of the area's premier festivals, highlighting arts, technology and sustainability, park at the festival bike station, enjoy the free activities and receive a discount for festival activities. We are planning some wonderful activities to highlight cycling, with education activities for kids, arts and exciting creative activities.  Stay tuned for more information.