Want to bike the bridge? Speak up!

ClevelandBikes sent out this alert last night:

Can you spare a Friday morning to join with other concerned cyclists for a review hearing of the Ohio Department of Transportation plans for the Innerbelt Bridge at the Cleveland Planning Department?

ODOT says they will not provide bike and pedestrian access to the Innerbelt Bridge (unlike more than thirty communities across the country), although it would provide a dramatic, beautiful and practical connection to downtown Cleveland. ClevelandBikes has disagreed with them from the start and will continue to press for bike and pedestrian access. There is a rumor that ODOT is willing to expand the Abbey Avenue Bridge, which would still present safety questions (just as their earlier suggestion that cyclists and pedestrians could travel over through the flats).

On Friday morning, Cleveland Planning Commission will hold a public hearing with ODOT regarding the design for the new Innerbelt Bridge. Please join us and let ODOT that you care about bike and pedestrian access on the new innerbelt bridge.

This Friday, November 6th, 9-11:00am (Planning Department staff says the discussion will begin at 9:30) Cleveland City Hall, 5th Floor (Planning Department Meeting Room)
601 Lakeside Avenue (East Sixth Street and Lakeside avenue, downtown Cleveland)

You can find more information at the Green City Blue Lakes website: http://www.gcbl.org/events/cleveland-planning-commission-innerbelt-bridge-11-06-2009

While the first, overwhelming, preference is for you to attend the Friday Cleveland Planning Commission hearing to let ODOT know you like bikes and you want them to let you "Bike the Bridge" when they create a new Innerbelt Bridge, you may have other responsibilities. If you can't attend personally, please contact the City and ODOT to let them know you ride, you vote, you pay taxes and Ohio needs to join other communities around the country that are adopting transportation solutions that help promote healthy cycling and walking, not just riding a car -- "WE WANT TO BIKE THE BRIDGE!"

You can contact the city, which has been HELPFUL, and the state, which has been RESISTANT, here:

Ohio Department of Transportation, District 12
Attention: Craig Hebebrand
5500 Transportation Boulevard
Garfield Heights, Ohio 44125
Phone: (216) 581- 2100
Fax: (216) 584-2274
Email: craig.hebebrand@dot.state.oh.us

CLEVELAND CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
Robert N. Brown, Director
601 Lakeside Ave.
City Hall Room 501
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: 216-664-2210
Fax: 216-664-3281

Or leave a message through the CPC website:
http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/aug09.php