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BICYCLE FACILITIES GUIDE FOR RECREATIONAL RIDING IN NORTHWEST OHIO AND SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN 2008-2009 Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) 300 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive PO Box 9508 Toledo, Ohio 43697 419.241.9155 fax 419.241.9116 [email protected] www.tmacog.org A bicycle is an excellent option for both transportation and recreation – fun, inexpensive, and healthy for the SAFETY TIPS AT A GLANCE environment and the rider. Our region offers some special bikeways – paths, bike lanes, and marked bike routes. This guide will introduce you to facili- OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND SIGNALS NEVER RIDE AGAINST TRAFFIC ties for recreational riding in northwest Ohio and Bicycles must drive like other vehicles if they are to be Motorists aren’t looking for bicyclists riding on the taken seriously by motorists. wrong side of the road. southeast Michigan. Use this guide to find new places to ride, to see how existing facilities are linked, DON’T PASS ON THE RIGHT FOLLOW LANE MARKINGS and to learn the plans for the further development of Motorists may not look for or see a bicycle passing on Don’t turn left from the right lane. Don’t go straight in a the right. Learn to scan the road behind you while rid- lane marked “right-turn only.” our area’s bike facilities. ing. Look back over your shoulder without swerving to the left, or use a rearview mirror. MAKE EYE CONTACT This guide includes three maps: RIDE IN MIDDLE OF LANE IN WITH DRIVERS • Existing Facilities highlights completed trails and lanes for riders. SLOW TRAFFIC Assume that other drivers do not see you until you are • Existing Facilities-Toledo Area shows more details in Toledo, Sylvania, Rossford, Maumee, Get in the middle of the lane at busy intersections and sure that they do. Eye contact is important with any whenever you are moving at the same speed as traffic. and Perrysburg. driver who might pose a threat to your safety. • Proposed Bicycle Facilities shows regional plans for expanding bike access through building new USE LIGHTS AT NIGHT and linking existing paths. You can help to bring these plans to realization. See the list of cycling SCAN THE ROAD BEHIND The law requires a white headlight (visible from at clubs and advocacy groups in this guide. Also check www.tmacog.org for activities of TMACOG’s Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your least 500 feet ahead) and a red rear reflector or tail- Pedestrian & Bikeways Committee. balance or swerving. Some riders use rearview mirrors. light (visible up to 300 feet from behind). Much more information is available for inter- While the laws of the state apply to all riders, AVOID ROAD HAZARDS DRESS APPROPRIATELY ested riders. This recreational guide includes individual cities and villages may have ad- Watch out for parallel sewer grates, gravel or debris. Avoid loose fitting clothing. Wear light visible colors. contact information for various park districts, ditional regulations. Please check with your Cross railroad tracks at right angles. In inclement weather dress in layers. And always political jurisdictions and agencies that create jurisdiction to ensure that you are riding safely wear a helmet, preferably white for greater visibility. bike infrastructure. Websites will connect you and legally. to updated information and show links to many KEEP BIKE IN GOOD REPAIR more resources. When planning your bicycle trips, please re- Adjust your bike to fit you and keep it working properly. NEVER RIDE WITH HEADPHONES member that the resources of the Toledo Area Check brakes and tires regularly. Routine maintenance is & ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET The Bicycle User’s Pocket Guide is a compan- Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) are also simple and you can learn to do it yourself. Never wear headphones while riding a bike. Always wear a helmet. ion piece to this facilities guide. The pocket available to assist you. All TARTA buses are guide is designed to help a bicycle commuter equipped with bicycle racks and when you ride design a route to match the rider’s skill level. a TARTA bus, you can bring along your bike at HAND SIGNALS Hand signals tell motorists and pedestrians what you It shows more details of city streets and traf- no extra charge. Call 419.243.RIDE or go to intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, of courtesy, and of DON’T WEAVE BETWEEN fic and will be useful as a reference guide and www.TARTA.com for route and schedule infor- self-protection. PARKED CARS planning tool. mation. Weaving between parked cars makes it difficult for motorists to be aware of you on the road. CHOOSE THE BEST WAY TO TURN LEFT There are two ways to make a left turn. (1) Like an auto: KEEP BOTH HANDS READY signal, move into the left-turn lane and turn left. (2) Like TO BRAKE Happy cycling! And don’t forget to wear a helmet! a pedestrian: ride straight to the far-side crosswalk. Walk You may not stop in time if you brake one-handed. your bike across. Allow extra distance for stopping in the rain, since brakes are less efficient when wet. 1. 14. Existing Facilities - Toledo Area WHAT IS A “BIKE FACILITY?” ALEXIS H P ¤£23 A N R A This recreational guide lists a number of different types of bicycling facilities from paths and trails to G M E ¨¦§75 K SYLVANIA L lanes to signed bike routes. Descriptions of each follow. E C T A J Bowman 2 Park M O 3-2 N TOLEDO SYLVANIA RO E BayView Bike Path or Trail: Park Olander Facilities separate from the Park IT Wildwood M T M Metropark I U roadway are typically designed CENTRAL O C S 4 R H 5 3-1 T U E for two-way travel and are usu- n E R Jamie Farr Ottawa Park D iv R lt Park e Y e rs b ally 10- or 12-foot-wide, paved i en h ty OTTAWA HILLS e at BANCROFT r P ! G e Veterans' or unpaved. All paths in our /P ik ar B Glass City k E Ç720 s University of Tra il D DORR Toledo I Skyway region are multi-purpose trails S Promenade Park K R Multi-Purpose Arena ! for non-motorized uses (biking, A ! 3-3 P Fifth Third Field running, walking, roller blading, ! International R §475 Highland T Park Rotary Trail ¨¦ Scott Park E etc.). The more rural trails usu- TOLEDO N Y Campus Park Y A ¤£20 A W 2 D O ally permit horseback riding. W P Y A N O W T O R O OR H B O IRP T D A N V HOLLAND A I LL 280 ! Woodsdale ! Toledo Zoo E ¨¦§ Park UT Health Walbridge S Swan Creek Science NORTHWOOD D Park L Metropark Campus O N Y E LUCAS CO. Bike Lanes: One- R ROSSFORD way specially marked s 80 h ¨¦§ 90 Ç714 d ¨¦§ t n a WALBRIDGE lanes, usually 5-foot- a 75 P ¨¦§ WW Knight d y l MAUMEE e g Nature i f o l wide, adjoining each r D o Preserve WOOD CO. a i n R AYERS r h O B c £20A U side of the road. e ¤ T I L L Wabash A 9-3 Side Cut O795 R P D Trail Metropark Signed PERRYSBURG Friendship ROSSFORD Park Bike Rt 24 8 Bike A Bridge Legend Route: £20 ¤ 8-1 Bike Facility Number ECKEL JCT Existing Bike Path numbered or 0 0.5 1 1.5 Existing Bike Lane Parks and Preserves named route Signed Bike Route Municipal Boundaries I ROACHTON Ç20 Miles 7 that cyclists can follow. It often con- nects to major Please note bicycles are permitted on any GENERAL INFORMATION: public roadway that is not a limited access • Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments www.tmacog.org destinations. A divided highway. • Ohio Department of Transportation www.dot.state.oh.us route may in- • Metroparks of the Toledo Area www.metroparkstoledo.com clude streets, • Ohio Department of Natural Resources www.dnr.state.oh.us bike lanes, and paths. 13. 2. BASIC BICYCLE SAFETY TIPS Consult the Existing Facilities maps for the number keys to BICYCLE CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS locate the following facilities: AND ADVOCACY GROUPS • Bicyclists are not allowed on Interstate and limited access highways in Ohio. • Use lights when riding in the rain and at 1. SYLVANIA BIKE NETWORK Hostelling International – Toledo Area night. The City of Sylvania and the Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District have developed the following bikeways to Website: www.HIToledo.org • Always wear a helmet. link neighborhoods with parks and other community facilities. (Also see section 2.) E-mail: [email protected] • Be courteous, ride single file when appropri- ate. •Pacesetter Park Bike Path: 0.75-mile, 12-foot-wide paved bike path from Centennial Quarry to Pac- Toledo Area Bicyclists • When riding in a narrow lane, stay far enough esetter Park. Parking is available at both locations. Website: ToledoAreaBicyclists.org from the right edge to discourage vehicles from passing dangerously close in the same lane. •Monroe Street/Erie Street Bicycle Lanes: 2.1-mile, paved bike lanes, from Monroe Street at Silica Maumee Valley Alternative Transportation Alliance • When riding past parked cars, be alert for mo- Drive to Erie Street at Centennial Road. E-mail: [email protected] torists opening doors or pulling out from park- Contact: Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District, 419.882.1500 E-mail: [email protected]. Contact: Robert Zipperer 419.251.9622 ing spaces. Stay outside the “door zone.” • Allow extra braking distance in weather.