Suzann Slyman Rhodes
Administrator, Office of Urban and Corridor Planning
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43223

Dear Ms. Rhodes,

I am pleased to hear from you that bicyclists have attended each of your ACCESS OHIO 2004-2030 Statewide Transportation Plan public involvement sessions held throughout our state. This fact reflects the concern which Ohio's bicyclists have for this important document. We want to ensure that bicycling is treated well in the plan.

We in the Ohio Bicycle Federation would like to see the following added to the ACCESS OHIO plan:

1. New and improved roadways should be brought up to AASHTO's recommended 14-foot lane width to permit bicyclists and motor vehicles to safely share the road.
2. We need more official bike routes on Ohio's roadways, and more "Share the Road" signs on these routes, to encourage this necessary practice. Columbus Outdoor Pursuits has created several good cross-state bicycle routes which are worthy of state signage.
3. Buried cable vehicle detectors, increasingly common as traffic light actuators in Ohio, should be adjusted to a sensitivity setting adequate to detect bicycles.
4. We need a full-time Ohio Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator. Federal law requires one. And yet, Sharon Todd tells us that most of her assigned work is in other areas. She must focus full-time on bicycle and pedestrian concerns. Smaller states have multi-person Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator staffs.
5. Federal "routine accommodations" requirements must be met. We look forward to working with you on developing the policies recommended in the Plan for implementation by ODOT Central and District Offices.
6. Towards implementing the Plan's recommendations for education, OBF wants to ensure the continued printing and distribution of Ohio Bicycling Street Smarts, currently distributed by ODPS and ODOT. This booklet should be available at all Ohio schools and at all Bureau of Motor Vehicles offices. We also must obtain materials required to conduct League of American Bicyclists courses on the proper way to ride in traffic. These courses are a benefit to all, motorists and bicyclists. I recently joined the ranks of 23 League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructors in Ohio. We have the training to save lives by teaching Ohioans how to safely ride their bicycles in traffic. We need only the materials to teach these courses. These materials should be provided by the ODPS, as part of the ODPS transportation safety effort. We want to work with you in making the ACCESS OHIO 2004-2030 Statewide Transportation Plan a better plan for all Ohioans.

Sincerely,
Chuck Smith
Chair, Ohio Bicycle Federation