MANSFIELD, Ohio — Despite city council’s unanimous approval last week, construction of the 5.73 mile Mansfield bike loop has been put on hold until mid-August, said Richland Moves! Chairman Nelson Shogren.
The wait is for the materials. Richland Public Health Educator Melissa Culler said she ordered 122 signs, galvanized posts, three different stencils, five gallons of reflective paint and five signs that read “Bikes May Use Full Lanes.”
The cost for the materials was covered by a partnership with Richland Public Health and the Communities Preventing Chronic Disease grant. Volunteers from the the Ohio Contractors Association (OCA) have agreed to complete the construction of the bike loop.
“I think we should welcome them (OCA volunteers) with open arms. That is a huge help,” said Shogren. The group voiced ideas on how to feed the volunteers.
Another item of discussion was public education.
“Safety is imperative to us. The worst thing that could happen is for someone to be injured or killed during the initial start up of the route,” said Shogren. He cited HB 154, a law introduced to lawmakers April 13, 2015 that requires motorists to allow a “three-foot buffer zone” when passing bicyclists.
To propagate a message to both motorists and bicyclists, Richland Moves! plans to print pamphlets with pointers and reminders on traffic laws. Those pamphlets will be made available in shops around downtown Mansfield.
In attendance to the Richland Moves! meeting Tuesday was Ashland Ohio Trails Association representative Kim Calhoon. A bicyclist who has ridden in the Mansfield area, she affirmed her faith in Mansfield motorists to accept an influx in bicyclists.
“I have great faith in the city of Mansfield,” she said.
Richland Moves! will be hosting and sponsoring a number of bicycle oriented events throughout the summer and are as follows:
Shelby Bike Days, July 11.
North Lake Park Bike-A-Palooza, July 18.
Shawshank Hustle, July 25.
Mansfield Community Garden Bike-Walk Tour, August 1.
B&O Multi-Use Trail 20th Anniversary Celebration, October; date to be decided.
For more information on Richland Moves!, visit their Facebook page.
