City seeking input to plan for more active transportation

Elyria is focusing on a new Active Transportation Plan in its latest development proposals.

City officials and Lorain County Public Health are working to develop an active transportation plan which is set to focus on walking, biking and similar methods of transportation.

According to Achilles Morales, the Lorain County Urban League education and youth development coordinator, the plan is aimed to create safe and affordable ways for people to travel around Elyria.

The plan includes creating ways for residents to get to work, shopping areas, parks and libraries, with a focus on elementary and middle school students getting to school safely.

“We understand as we serve so much of our county that transportation in any form can be challenging and can be a barrier,” Morales said. “For example, for someone who lives on the south side of Elyria there’s not always an accessible sidewalk and getting places by foot or by bike can be challenging.”

According to Kat Bray, spokesperson for Lorain County Public Health, the project is in the beginning stages and is still collecting feedback from residents.

A plan will then be created and be presented to the public by Lorain County Health and Dentistry. City Council will then take the public feedback into account and vote late next spring.

“Even if people missed the meeting, they’re still able to participate and fill out forms on the website,”

Bray said. “It’s important to get community member input so we can truly learn what’s important to people when getting around town.”

By completing an active transportation plan, Elyria would be eligible for various funding resources to help pay for the infrastructure costs, according to Bray. Funding could be tapped for sidewalks and bikeway infrastructure, as well as education and promotional campaigns.

“The safe route to school program focuses on infrastructure funding particularly around schools, so that’s just one example of funding that can become available after finalizing the plan,” she said.

“But there are other resources as well.”

Issues within the city that were noted include lack of sidewalks, inadequate lighting and unsafe intersections.

According to Morales, an increase in sidewalks and proper lighting can make people more likely to walk instead of drive.

“It gives people a chance to feel safe and travel home safely in the evening in a well lit area,” Morales said. “It gives residents more accessibility to areas they need to travel to.”

For more information visit https://www.cityofelyria.org/transportation/.