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AMATS hosted the first of two of its Public Bike Meetings at the Highland Square Branch Library on April 13.  The meetings are part of the agency’s outreach to the Greater Akron area’s cycling community.

The agency’s goal in hosting the meetings is to gain new insights into strategies that encourage cycling as a means of transportation.  Planning Administrator Curtis Baker says that, if the first meeting is any indication, AMATS is well on its way to meeting that goal.

A crowd of more than 20 residents and representatives from various cycling groups attended the evening meeting to share their thoughts with the planning agency.  Attendees included policy makers such as Summit County Council Member At-Large Sandra Kurt.

LIKE TO BIKE: The April 13 Public Bike Meeting hosted by AMATS drew many area cyclists who were more than willing to share their views on the region's roads and trails.

“We heard suggestions regarding the need for improved amenities, such as bike racks and stations, and calls for more education and safety awareness.  One idea that we liked was the idea of ‘benchmarking’ our efforts with what comparable communities and regions are doing to promote biking in other parts of the country.  We can learn from those areas,” Baker says.

He says that AMATS will use the input that it garners from the Highland Square meeting and an upcoming meeting in Kent to develop a comprehensive Bike Plan and Bike User’s Map for the Greater Akron area.  During his presentation, Baker announced to the audience that the agency will launch a new web site, Switching-Gears.org, in the coming weeks.  The site will be tailored to the unique needs of the area’s cyclists.

MAPPING IT OUT: Andrew Williams studies the draft Summit County Bike User's Map.

Angelo Coletta, the general manager of the Summit Cycling Center, said that he was pleased that the meeting drew many attendees from the cycling community.  Coletta added that more needs to be done to promote biking as a form of transportation beyond recreation.  Separate bike lanes and paths shouldn’t be necessary because the area’s roads should be shared by motorists and cyclists, according to Coletta.  Listen to Coletta’s observations by clicking here.

GOING GREEN: Christopher Fullerton, left, and Transportation Planner Phyllis Jividen discuss the AMATS Area Greenways map prepared by the agency under its bike initiative.

The next Public Bike Meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27 at the Kent Free Library located at 312 West Main Street in Kent.

To view Baker’s presentation, please click here.

Please visit our Biking in the Region page to learn more about AMATS and cycling in the Greater Akron area by clicking here.