WELCOME TO THE RESOURCE PAGE FOR OUR CROWDSOURCED CONVERSATION FORUM ON IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY IN THE HEIGHTS
On Thursday, April 25th, 2025, about 40 Heights community members gathered at the Noble library branch for our first Crowdsourced Conversations event of 2025. Thanks to Ken Bernard from the city of Cleveland Heights, Deanna Bremer Fisher from the city of University Heights, and Jenna Thomas from Bike Cleveland for their presentations. Thank you also to the Heights Bicycle Coalition and the CH Green Team group for their informative remarks.
ACTION STEPS: Each group identified meaningful action steps they could take, either individually or as part of the collective. Here are some highlights from each group.
The purple group discussed the need to repair sidewalks and roads, as potholes are making bicycle riding dangerous; the need for curb bump outs; the need for highlighted bike lanes in order to narrow roads and calm traffic, especially those designed with paint, stripes, reflective materials and flexible stanchion poles; and the need for maintenance of all bike lanes. Participants expressed that residents could be involved in making these fixes happen by lobbying the city to enforce speeding laws, installing radar speed monitors at key locations throughout the city, and identifying safe routes of travel to share with other cyclists.
The pink group reported a high willingness to improve cyclist/pedestrian safety in the Heights. Yet bike lanes without a physical barrier are ineffective. Some choose to ride on sidewalks over roads because of the danger from vehicles. Possible solutions include urging public officials to take action to protect pedestrians and cyclists through installation of traffic calming devices, closing roads for special events in business districts, and adding traffic enforcement. They also discussed creating bike friendly streets designated next to busy roadways.
The orange group ruminated on the addition of speed bumps, traffic circles and other traffic calming features as ways to make roads safer in the community. They felt that bureaucracy/red tape can be a barrier to getting things done. They argued that a resident-led initiative could be a way to bring people together and foster a sense of community.
The blue group discussed adding chicanes and narrowing streets in order to help reduce the speed of traffic when a road is newly paved. They also discussed the possibility of reducing the number of lanes of Cedar Road, and the possibility of adding yield to pedestrian signs and bright crosswalks to dangerous intersections throughout Cleveland Heights and University Heights. Speed bumps and speed tables were also mentioned. Residents can be involved in making these fixes happen through getting organized, going to council and telling their stories. There is power in numbers. They suggested paying attention to the city council budget season.
The red group referenced some specific road safety improvements that could be enacted in Cleveland Heights and University Heights, including squaring off curbs, narrowing lanes, and adding speed tables on Meadowbrook; creating a physical barrier for bike lanes on North Park; and generally adding speed limit counters and colorful crosswalks. The worst intersection in Cleveland Heights remains Fairmount/Coventry/Scarborough, even though it was supposedly fixed. Residents can get involved by talking to their neighbors and going to council meetings.
The green group recommended adding traffic circles and center islands to very wide intersections in order to slow traffic; adding a diagonal crosswalk from the northeast corner of Cedar at Surrey to the southeast corner of Cedar at Grandview; and adding signage that is more visible and more instructive. They also suggested speed bumps and traffic enforcement. Residents can be involved in these fixes through organizing together with their neighbors. Other suggestions included weeding or picking up trash in a public area or creating a bike box by taking over a public parking space with astroturf and lawn chairs and inviting people to join you. Finally, residents can report the same problem to the Mayor’s Action Center for a quick response.
Here are some additional ideas for action steps:
- Host your own small group action-oriented discussions with your family, friends, and neighbors.
- Write articles or op-eds for the Heights Observer.
- Join us for the next Crowdsourced Conversation forum to meet other engaged Heights residents.
Resources
Heights Active Transportation Plan
If you have a suggestion for an additional resource to be added, please email [email protected].
