The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lorain residents give opinions
Survey looks at best ways to commute without a car
Roadway safety and time involved are two factors keeping Lorainites from walking and biking to their destinations, according to results of a local survey.
As Lorain students head back to school on foot, bike and bus, the Lorain Active Transportation Plan Team continues examining the best and safest ways to get around without a car.
The study process started in spring and included a survey for local residents to share their opinions about walking, riding a bicycle and riding a bus in the city.
Lorainites can participate in a few ways right now and in the near future.
The surveys remain available online and the team members hope more Lorain students, parents and residents will provide their input, said Katherine Bray, health education specialist for the Lorain County General Health District. The surveys are available in English
and Spanish.
Lorain City Schools’ Washington Elementary, with support from General Johnnie Wilson Middle, has scheduled a Walk to School day Sept. 15.
The Lorain Port Authority tentatively has scheduled
a Rolling on the River event for Sept. 28.
The event is meant to encourage people to meet at Black River Landing and walk or bike to work from there, Bray said.
As for the public survey so far, findings from 144 responses
were presented in the August meeting of the Active Transportation Plan Team. Among the results so far: • Top ways to get to school or work were driving along, carpooling and walking.
The carpool response
likely came from students who filled out the forms. It seemed unlikely that many Lorainites were carpooling around the city for employment destinations.
• Top ways to run errands were by car, driving alone or getting dropped off; carpooling; and walking.
Time was the top barrier to walking; respondents said “it would take too long.”
• People also said they were uncomfortable walking on the road with cars; they did not feel safe from crime; and they had to carry bulky or heavy items.
The amount of walking was not surprising due to Lorain’s economic situation, Bray said.
“But that has affirmed why we need safe routes for walking,” she said. “They’re doing it out of necessity to get from point A to point B. So, you want to make sure our routes are as safe as possible for people getting to where they want to go.”
For cycling, people said the top barriers were that people were uncomfortable riding on the road with cars and there are no bikefriendly roads or trails near Lorain homes.
Some people also don’t own bikes, according to the survey responses.
And some people said biking would take too long, according to the survey.
But that could be a misperception because for many people, a one-mile bike ride takes just a few minutes, Bray said.
One way to encourage people could be signage that directs people to local landmarks with minutes of travel time, instead of mileage, she said.