The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) has updated its 1993 regional bike plan, identifying problems and making recommendations to improve bicycling conditions in the counties of Boone, Butler, Campbell, Clermont, Hamilton, Kenton and Warren.

Developed by OKI staff and an advisory committee of cyclists, transportation engineers, recreation planners, and local officials, the 91-page report summarizes current bicycling conditions, looks at planning goals and objectives, develops strategies and recommendations, and sets clear guidelines for implementation.

It also provides a structure for evaluating OKI's progress.

Because national transportation policies such as ISTEA and TEA-21 have provided a mandate – and funding – for the integration of bicycling as a component of the regional transportation system and because of a national trend toward more compact, walkable development, the report says that bicycling should be considered equivalent to all other modes of transportation during the planning process.

"It is the vision of this Regional Bicycle Plan that vehicular travel by bicycle become an integral mode of travel both by its inclusion in OKI's regional transportation planning process, as well as by its consideration as a choice for trip-making by residents of the OKI region," the report says.

The report says that a major catalyst for the growth of regional bicycling is the development of a network of shared-use paths such as the Little Miami Scenic Trail, The Great Miami River Trail, the Mill Creek Greenway, and the Ohio River Trail.

Although these paths are primarily used for recreational trips, the report says that the construction, extension, and connection of the trails should be encouraged.

"Their value for utilitarian travel will increase as they are extended through and connected to population centers," it says.

More general recommendations include better safety improvements along roads and bridges, more bicycle parking facilities, and the integration of bicycling with public transportation.


City of Cincinnati plans

In Cincinnati, a working group composed of City staff and representatives from advocacy groups Bike/PAC and Queen City Bike is currently defining the scope of the Cincinnati Bike Plan and working to select a consultant.

The group will be looking into incorporating bike lanes, trails, bicycle parking, signage, and sharrows into the City's infrastructure.

This month, as part of National Bike Month, installation of sharrows will begin along the Clifton/Ludlow/Jefferson corridor and on Madison Road.

Installation of "Share the Road" signage also will begin along Spring Grove Avenue, Hamilton Avenue, and Riverside Drive.

Previous reading on BC:
Cyclists to advocate for safety, input (10/22/08)
Bicycling Newport aims for bike-friendly city (2/15/08)