16 from 16, GroundWork, Issue 12
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Issue 12:  16 from 16
  Walking and Rolling with ‘16s Successes

In 2016, Ohioans stepped up and out, they rolled through cities, suburbs and our rural mountains majesty (or at least the foothills of Appalachia). This issue of GroundWork celebrates the success that all of you had to make it safer and more fun for residents and visitors of all ages to walk, bike and bus. Here, in no particular order, are the Top 16 from ’16.
1. Copely Township
In September, the Copley Circle Advisory Board held a better block event to portray a vision of how the community could become even more pedestrian friendly. The Township is actively working on implementation of many Better Block principles.  
2. OBF
Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Ohio Bicycle Federation (OBF), Ohio’s three foot passing law goes into effect this March. Just in time for spring cycling. Thank you OBF!
3. FMPCT
The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMPCT) opened a primitive campsite adjacent to USBR 50 in Madison County. From April-October, it hosted 63 individuals. Nearly a third were from outside Ohio, including the UK and Australia.
4. City of Cleveland
Launched UH Bikes, a CycleHop bike share system with 10 stations and 100 bikes. The system has hubs in downtown Cleveland and University Circle.
5. Ohio Bicyclists, Advocates, District Staff and Mapping Professionals
This year partners from every part of transportation worked hard to assure our State and US Bike Route System will be as safe, scenic and useful possible. A special shout out to Shawn Richardson for all of his work on the route system.
6. Village of Berlin
Berlin has the largest population of Amish in the world and 4 million tourists a year. With 60 retail businesses within a 2 mile area, it is a popular place to explore by foot. ODOT District 11 completed a safety project which included wider sidewalks on both sides of the road and mid-block crosswalks.
7. NOACA
The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) updated the six-year-old Cuyahoga County Bike Map. It was printed on waterproof, tear-proof paper and distributed to bike shops, libraries and more.
8. MORPC
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) hosted the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) National Conference from April 5-7! With nearly 700 people from all over the country attending, it put Ohio in the spotlight for all of our accomplishments. 
9. GroundWork
The e-newsletter, GroundWork, launched to showcase infrastructure and non-infrastructure innovations in and around Ohio and the country.
10. Camp Chase Trail
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department completed the 16.25 mile Camp Chase Trail on the west side of Columbus. The 16.25 mile trail, completed in 2016, took four years to build and had financial support from the Hollywood Casino as well as Columbus Recreation and Parks. The next section will open in 2017. Once complete the Camp Chase trail will become one of Ohio’s longest active rail with trail.

In addition to the benefit to central Ohio, The trail is also a part of the Ohio to Erie Trail, SBR 1 and will have national importance as a part of USBR 21.
Brutus and Buckeye
Photo Credit:  Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
11. OPAL
The Olentangy, Powell and Liberty Trail Committee (OPAL) helped open the 10-foot-wide Zoo Trail from Sawmill Parkway to the Columbus Zoo, giving visitors and employees another transportation option.
12. ODOT
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) marked the 10th anniversary of the Safe Routes to School program in the Buckeye State. In fact there are SRTS programs and improvements in 72 of Ohio’s 88 counties! 
13. ODH
Ohio Department of Health (ODH) sponsored five complete streets workshops around the state in 2016. Twenty communities in Ohio have complete streets policies. Lima, the most recent, passed theirs in May. 
14. Athens
The City of Athens opened a 240-foot bridge over the Hocking River on December 9 to connect a section of the city to the Hockhocking Adena Trail that had been cut off from the rest of the city by a 180-foot tall hill. It was a technically challenging project and some residents thought it was too difficult to ever be built.
15. Yay Bikes!
Mayors, engineers, city planners and health officials participated in Professional Development rides in more than 27 communities around Ohio. Participants experienced what it is like for everyday cyclists in their community.

16. Thirteen Counties Across the Center of Ohio
UB Bike Route 50 is complete in Ohio, including signs, in plenty of time for the 2017 bike season. Look for the ribbon cutting in April!

We really blew the socks off of 2016 – there were many more than 16 accomplishments that could have been showcased. We  look forward to seeing what happens in 2017!
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