Athens officials are looking for ways to improve their bikeways.
Athens city officials and residents spent Thursday morning exploring pathways to making the city safer and more accessible for two-wheeled travelers.
With help from Steve Clark, a specialist from the League of American Bicyclists, the group toured Athens to evaluate the condition of bike paths and bike lanes in Athens. The trip culminated at the Athens Community Center, 701 E State St, where Clark gave a presentation that provided tips for improvement.
The league, sponsored by Trek Bicycle Corporation, provides special designations to cities that excel in bike accessibility. After applying for designation, a city may be awarded a Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum or Diamond designation, or no designation at all.
Athens Bicycle, 4 W. Stimson Ave, spearheaded the event. Its store owners have hoped to schedule a meet-up between the league, their business and the city for several years.
“I think having somebody on the ground meeting with us helps us get a leg up (in applying for a designation),” Athens Bicycle co-owner Pete Kotses said. The designation could bolster Athens’ chances at landing grants to put toward improving the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway and paths elsewhere.
A bike spur across the Hocking River near Columbus Road on the North Side has been in the works for a couple years, and Mayor Paul Wiehl said earlier this week he expects similar additions near East State Street.
Though he was pleased with the city’s accommodations, Clark said Athens had room for improvement. He guessed his group would award Athens an official designation of some sort, if the city applies when applications are due this February.
But Clark still deflected attention away from the awards.
“Of course, the designation is not the most important thing,” he said. “What’s important is making the city a better place.”
One specific concern that Clark brought up was the “scary” experience of trying to bike on East State Street. He suggested narrowing driving lanes and added lanes for cyclists. He did commend Athens Bicycle for their “Bike Library” program through which customers could rent out bikes for short-term use.
City Planner Paul Logue said he had looked into applying for a designation five years ago, but deemed the city unprepared. Logue would like to apply this winter, provided he can finish the application in time.
“Giving the city safe modes of transportation is an important priority,” he said. “Biking is an efficient and safe form of travel, and we have a very biking-oriented community.”
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