The Innovation Team's (i-Team) staff has spent the summer and fall connecting with residents and testing pilots to improve transportation equity in Cincinnati.

In this issue, we highlight:

• Biomimicry Mobility Workshop
• Pilot project updates
• Other projects

Biomimicry Mobility Workshop

Nature enthusiasts and transit nerds, unite! Join us for an innovative workshop where participants will work together to propose solutions to Cincinnati’s toughest transportation and mobility challenges using biomimicry design. Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for inspiration when designing new human infrastructure, inventions, and systems.

The workshop will be generously hosted at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden and will include presentations, a Green Tour, time to explore the zoo for inspiration, and group design. Registration is open to professionals from fields like transit, planning, engineering, art and design, community organizing, sustainability, environmental science, and more. We’re looking for a diverse group to bring new perspectives to the challenges at hand, no previous expertise in transit or biology required.

Register by October 29th through this link.

For questions about the event or registration, contact Rachel.

Late this summer, we had a brief window to test Stay Cool Cincy, a pilot that put micro cooling stations in the hands of residents and businesses so they could care for their neighbors directly. We were warmed by the interest in the project and are excited to spend the winter developing the program further.

We want your feedback! Whether or not you came across a cooling station in the wild, we’d love to hear how we can improve Stay Cool Cincy for both future users and volunteer hosts.

Fill out this survey!

Photos of volunteer hosts and the public with cooling stations in September.

With the end of summer comes the assessment phase of our E-Bike Incentive Pilot Program! The program will continue with our partners at Garage OTR through a self-funding model, so you can still take advantage of interest-free e-bike payment plans into next spring and beyond.

We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the diversity of participants in the program’s first year. The 23 participants represent every income level and age bracket and come from 13 different neighborhoods. They’ve been eager to share their data and experiences with their new e-bikes, so see the infographic below for the highlights.

Office Hours

In September, the i-Team’s community storyteller, Rachel, set up shop in coffee shops across the city to hear directly from residents. We will share insight from those office hours next month.

Innovation Incubator

This fall, the i-Team secured a grant from the Seasongood Foundation to expand innovation within the City of Cincinnati. We hosted an Innovation Incubator showcase where city employees pitched projects in need of funding to a panel of judges.

A big thanks to the Office of Environment & Sustainability, the Health Department, and City Planning for submitting proposals! Winners will be announced soon.

Blink Block Party

If you were at the Blink opening weekend Block Party, you may have run into the i-Team! Team member Rachel and volunteer Maiya talked with more than 300 residents and visitors about alternative transportation options for the festival weekend. Hundreds committed to trying Red Bikes, the bus, or the streetcar rather than driving downtown. Visitors of all ages also shared their hopes for the future of transportation in Cincinnati on a “Postcard from the Future.”

Nia Baucke | i-Team Director

nia.baucke@cincinnati-oh.gov

Rachel Cranmer | i-Team Communications & Community Engagement Associate (aka Community Storyteller)

rachel.cranmer@cincinnati-oh.gov