Avon Developing Safe Biking, Walking Routes For Students

AVON, OH - Safe routes to Avon East, Heritage Elementary and Avon Middle School are being developed as part of a Citywide Bicycle Master Plan.

In 2018, the city of Avon was given grant money through the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency's (NOACA) Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative. That money was earmarked for use in developing plans for safe bicycle routes through Avon.

The safe routes to school portions of the plan would create a more walkable and bikeable community for students and residents by improve the infrastructure for non-automobile routes. There would also be educational opportunities for the community.

“Our goal is to develop a plan to encourage students and residents to walk and ride safely throughout the community,” said Bill Fishleigh, Avon Local Schools, director of operations.

The city of Avon and the school district are working with NOACA, the Lorain County Metroparks and Sheffield Village on the plans. Data collection for the safe routes to school plans is already underway, and the Avon Schools recently asked parents for feedback on student transportation to and from schools.

A committee is currently reviewing the results of the survey and other data, like observation of student arrival and dismissal. Committee members are also conducting interviews with staffers at individual Avon schools.

There will be a presentation on the development of the plans during the Avon Health & Safety Fair on June 8 at Avon High Schools. That event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents will be able to pick up surveys relevant to the data collection process at the event.

There will then be a public meeting on the plans on June 13 at Avon Isle, 37080 Detroit Road, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This will be the first of several public meetings.

Residents can also fill out an online survey about bicycle travel, and visions for local bike lanes. The survey has been shared online.