Final public input meetings regarding bike lanes and/or alternatives to accommodate bikes on W. Broad St through the Hilltop are listed below.

The recent Hilltop Mobility Plan and the Bicentennial Bike Plan have suggested bike lanes on this critical east/west corridor. This is a precedent-setting project and a critical need to make progress on the bike friendliness of the region. It is also one of the first proposed “road diets” in Ohio. Experience from around the country has demonstrated that road diets that comply with “complete streets” principles calm traffic, create a more livable environment, and spur economic vibrancy.

Some of the Hilltop stakeholders are concerned that the removal of some of the existing on-street parking will have a negative impact on the small businesses in the core of the neighborhood. Hearing this concern, the Transportation & Pedestrian Commission delayed recommendations on this specific project in November 2009 to collect more data. The Commission conducted a walking audit and a public meeting with many of the neighborhood residents and digested their concerns. The Commission also directed the City to conduct an independent parking audit for the project area, which has now been completed.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is funding this project, and we must make a recommendation by the end of May, or else sacrifice the financial support. The issue will be discussed at each of the following public meetings. The parking needs and bicycle accommodation options will be the sole topic for the first public meeting listed below (May 6). However, this issue will be one of several issues at the two Commission meetings; there will be limited opportunities for public comment. That said, the Transportation & Pedestrian Commission has already received numerous written testimonies over the last 4+ months. So…if you haven’t spoken up…May 6th is the time!

If you are interested in providing testimony and/or receiving the talking points in support of bike lanes, please contact Consider Biking Board member Jessica Mathews via e-mail.  

The following meetings at which the Hilltop Parking Study/West Broad Street Mobility issue will be discussed have been scheduled as follows:

Hilltop Public Meeting
Thursday, May 6
6:00 p.m.
Columbus West Family and Wellness Center
Community Meeting Room
2300 West Broad Street (Corner of West Broad Street and Wheatland Avenue)

The Greater Hilltop Area Commission
Tuesday, May 11
7:00 p.m.
Hilltop Library
511 South Hague Avenue

Transportation and Pedestrian Commission
Tuesday, May 18
5:00 p.m.
109 North Front
Ground Floor, Room 100