Staying safe, on foot and on bike

Cities evaluate accessibility, safety for walkers, runners, and bikers

In examining transportation infrastructure, residents are beginning to ask how are cities addressing walkability and access for bicyclists.

According to national statistics compiled by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association from state departments of transportation, the number of fatal crashes involving pedestrians grew at a staggering rate of 35 percent between 2008 and 2017, increasing to 5,977 from 4,114.

These numbers are high despite an overall decline of traffic fatalities over the same period by six percent, the Highway Safety Association said.

The projection for 2018 pedestrian fatalities of 6,227 would be the highest number since 1990 and the state of Ohio saw a projected 15 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities between 2017 and 2018.

Locally, municipalities and organizations are working to make it easier for people to get from point A to point B safely.

Safety campaign

The 2018 Highway Safety Association report identified several initiatives underway in Ohio aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities.

The Ohio Department of Transportation developed materials for a statewide campaign around pedestrian safety in 2018 called “Your Move Ohio.”

Messages included “Yield to Pedestrians When Turning,” “Look Out for Each Other” and “Slow Down, Watch for Pedestrians.”

The campaign included a statewide advertisement buy, social media page, development of materials for local communities, car magnets and distribution of flashing reflectors across the state.

In addition, ODOT and statewide partners are working to emphasize pedestrian safety within the novice Driver’s Education Program.

The state is creating materials emphasizing laws on

the books designed to protect pedestrians and motorists.

In addition, the report notes the Safe Routes to School program provides $4 million annually to communities looking to improve the safety for K-8 students to walk or bike to school.

The Transportation Alternatives program provided roughly $27 million for projects in 2018, many of which supported bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

The Highway Safety Improvement Program funds programs focused on improving road safety, for which pedestrian projects are eligible.

Avon

After passing legislation in 2018 to crack down on texting and driving, the city of Avon is working with Sheffield Village and Lorain County Metro Parks to establish the Avon Citywide Bicycle and Multi-Use Path Master Plan.

In October 2018, the city received a $75,000 grant from Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) to conduct a study linking public assets together, including French Creek Reservation, Black River Bikeway, Lorain County Community College and the broader city of Avon.

An additional $15,000 was granted by the Areawide Coordinating Agency in June for the Livable Communities Initiative project to finance studying interconnections with Sheffield Village with Lorain County Metro Parks kicking in $5,000 to finance the local share. The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency conducted its annual pedestrian count from Sept. 10-13.

MOVE Lorain County

MOVE Lorain County, a local organization of transportation stakeholders, recently received an $80,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation

to develop a mobility management program to identify gaps in transportation services and facilitate interconnections.

“We know from experience that people living in both rural and urban areas of Lorain County have difficulty accessing transportation options,” said Sharon Pearson, MOVE mobility manager. “For older adults and people with disabilities who may not be able to drive or even have access to a car, getting around can be a challenge.

“Simple errands that others take for granted, like traveling to an appointment, can be difficult or nearly impossible.

“Lack of reliable transportation can affect an individual’s ability to access community settings such as a job, school, grocery store or medical appointment. Promoting and developing transportation options for individuals in Lorain County can result in improved health conditions, reduced costs related to workplace absenteeism and cost savings for medical providers attributed to missed appointments.”