The Future of the City was the theme of the inaugural Monocle + Killik debate held in London. The goal was to look at how to make a city truly livable. The session offers unique perspectives, thoughts, and views from a global perspective. Monocle is a magazine and website founded by Tyler Brûlé, a Canadian journalist and entrepreneur.
It’s no secret. Cincinnati’s cycling scene is a little lacking, and the effort put forth by the city to cater to this mode of transport is paltry at best. The City of Cincinnati states that there are 55 miles of bike routes, although 24 miles are signed. A bike route does not necessarily mean that it features a dedicated lane for cyclists or improved bicycle storage facilities, just that it is a city-preferred route. There are also only 200 bicycle racks in the city that boasts a population of over 300,000.
The city boasts that it has added six sets of bicycle lanes over the “past few years,” although if it is anything like what was added to Victory Parkway, in which the lanes only extend for 1/2 mile and connect to no other facilities or bike lanes and are entirely isolated, then this boasting may be a bit premature.
The city, though, is looking to create designated two-wheeled, motorized vehicle parking areas, and it would be nice if the city could extend that to implenting more bicycle racks throughout the study area.
For the month of September, UrbanCincy asked its readers what the city should do to cater to cyclists, and the response was pretty overwhelming:
Interesting enough, 50% wanted to see all five options implemented.
The demand is there for these facilities, and every day that I am out on the bike or walking the streets, I spot countless cyclists interacting in various ways with traffic. Some are commuters, others are racers, but many just don’t fall under any identifiable category. And the number of cyclists continue to increase, especially with weekly rides such as Cincinnati Mayhem and various rides from the local bicycle shops, and with the ever-popular end-of-the-month Critical Mass.
Finding information about these, though, is a bit cumbersome. Queen City Bike is a great resource and blog, where you can find up-to-date information. Although it is a new forum, CincyRides attempts to combine many of the divergent resources together into one convenient and accessible web-site.
Even though winter is fast approaching, it is still a great time to get out on the bike and become one of the many commuters who take to the streets every morning, or one of the many who bike for pleasure and health. An ever-greater bike presence will only result in ever-greater attention by the city, after all.
If you’re one of the many people out there who have been taking advantage of UC/Metro fare deal that allows University of Cincinnati students, faculty and staff to ride Metro for free then you will find this of interest. The program has been so successful that they are making some changes to better track usage and prevent abuse.
All you have to do currently is flash your valid UC ID to ride. This will only work until October 19th; at that point you will have to use the special card to continue riding for free. You can get the special card by logging in to your UC account and providing some basic information (name, address, etc). Metro will then mail you your fare card within three business days and you’ll be all set to continue riding Metro for free.
The cards will function on a quarterly basis that corresponds with the UC quarter system. That means those who get their cards for this Fall Quarter will be able to use them until January 10, 2009 and then have to reapply for a Winter Quarter card. You can learn more about the program and its changes on Metro’s website.
Metro is currently working on a new fare system that will replace the 12-16 year old fare system that is currently used. Colin Groth, Community/Government Relations Manager at Metro, said the new system is still under development and will hopefully be running with the next year or so, but cautioned that funding is an issue.
The new system will feature ‘smart cards’ that will allow users to deposit funds and will automatically deduct those funds when the card is scanned for use. It is something that could be purchased at local stores and possibly linked with user’s banking accounts. It will be a proxy card system that will only require users to wave their card as they get on the bus.
Also new, Metro will be linked into GoogleTransit by the end of the year. This will allow users to go onto GoogleMaps and get directions the same way they always do. What this means is that users will have an option in addition to the walk or car options currently available on GoogleMaps for Cincinnati. Watch a quick YouTube video on how to use the map feature here.
Agenda 360 is the regional action plan for the Cincinnati region that is being led by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. It’s goal is to, “transform Cincinnati USA, by the year 2020, into a leading metropolitan region for talent, jobs and economic opportunity for all who call our region home.”
There is currently a survey asking for people to give their thoughts on how the action plan should develop from here and how it relates to your life within the Cincinnati region. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete, but will have a lasting impact on how our region moves forward.
The easiest way to take the online survey is by following this link and clicking on the survey. It can be taken in either English or Spanish.
Are you one of the many people riding around town on a scooter, moped, or motorcycle? If you are then you’re in luck. The City of Cincinnati has taken note of the increased number of these smaller vehicles and is planning to introduce five parking locations, throughout the Downtown area, for these vehicles.
These will be 10-hour, dedicated, on-street parking options. Each of the five locations will accomodate between 3-5 vehicles each. The City plans to have these locations set up and in place by the end of October and wants your input on where they should be located throughout the Downtown area.
Take the survey here!Shop for scooters today!
The City is also strongly considering some other neighborhoods for this program, but would like your input on where it would be best suited. Clifton, Northside, and others (you know who you are) this means you. Tell City officials that you think it would be a great idea for this program to be extended to your neighborhood, and help make this initial program a success.
The beauty of this program is that it not only makes things better for those who currently ride around on scooters, mopeds, or motorcycles, but it also makes the city more inviting to those considering these smaller vehicles as an alternative to a car.
