Parma's First Bike Lane.

Congratulations, Parma, you have your first bike lane! You may have noticed some symbols painted on
the right outer lanes on Pearl Rd between Brookpark and Snow Rd. This is called a sharrow. Bike
Cleveland describes it as this: "This symbol is a “Sharrow” (a cross between “share” and “arrow”) or “Shared Lane Bicycle Marking”. They are painted on roadways as a reminder to motorists that bikes may be present on the road, and
yes, they are legally allowed to take the full lane."

I have attended 4 council meetings to encourage bike lanes in Parma so we can keep up with other cities
in promoting biking, safety, exercise and alternate means of transportation. Over the past few months,
Mayor Tim DeGeeter has met with Bike Cleveland and other officials and finalized the Pearl Rd bike
sharrows in October of 2022. This now connects miles of Parma Heights sharrows and bike lanes with
 City of Cleveland bike lanes. There are other areas of concern in our city:

1. No continuous sidewalk on Ridgewood Dr to connect State Rd to West Creek Park. Have you ever
tried to ride your bike on this road? Dangerous! At the last council meeting on June 5, 2023, Mayor
DeGeeter said there are definite plans to make a safe, connecting bike lane or trail.
2. No sidewalks on Ridgewood to connect State Rd to Ridge Rd (Shoppes at Parma). Speed limit
35mph with dangerous curves. The Mayor stated after the eastbound trail to West Creek Park, this
section wil then be addressed.
3. More signage needed in Parma promoting "sharing the road." Mayor DeGeeter is working on it!
4. Consideration of bike lanes on any new road construction. It would be great if Parma could add some
striped or designated bike lanes.
I think it's time to let our elected officials know we're ready for designated bike lanes in Parma. We also
need to start educating motorists and bicyclists on safety issues.
Some starters for motorists:
1. Bicyclists are permitted to ride on most streets in Ohio, the road is meant to be shared.
2. Give the cyclist at least 3 feet as required by law ehen passing a bicyclist. You are also permitted to
cross the double yellow line to pass them.
3. Watch for bicyclists, especially on sharrow lanes, side streets, near parks or schools and especially
when pulling out of your driveway.
4. Use your turn signals so others can see if your are turning in front of them.
5. Look for pedstrians or bicyclists on the right side when you are turning right on red. Most motorists
just look to the left for oncoming traffic.
Some tips for bicyclists:
1. Parents, teach your children about bike safety, practice crossing busy streets.
2. Wear a helmet!
3. Make sure you have reflectors and a bell. Wear reflective vests or clothing if night riding. State law
requires a headlight and rear red light if riding at night.
4. Obey traffic signals. Stop at traffic lights and stop signs. Use hand signals.
5. Walk you bike in a crosswalk!!! You are considered a motorist if you ride in a cross walk and don't
have the legal rights of a pedestrian, ie, you don't have the right of way. Check out this article:

https://plaintiffmagazine.com/recent-issues/item/hey-you-re-riding-in-the-
crosswalk#:~:text=Bicyclists%20do%20not%20have%20the,Code%2C%20%C2%A7%2021950.)

6. Ride defensively! Motorists can't hear you (use your bell) and your are small, hard to see. Your are
not surrounded by steel!

7. Stay as far to the right as possible.

8. Please, please, please, give warning to others (especially elderly pedestrians) and slow down when
you are passing them on the bike paths or on sidewalks!!!

55 bicyclists lost their lives in Ohio in 2020, according to News 5 Cleveland: In Depth:Bicycle Crashes
Climbing Across Ohio, (May 19,2021)

As biking has become more popular and e-bikes are coming in droves, you will see more cyclists on the
roads this Summer. Use common sense and be respectful of each other so we can all be safe.