Parks, multi-use trails, and neighborhood strolls have been an invaluable resource for many families and individuals feeling stir crazy after months of social distancing. COVID guidelines recommend leaving at least 6ft of space between yourself and others, a problem when most sidewalks are only 48in wide. Communities overnight found themselves in need of expanded space for more people interested in walking, running, and cycling outdoors. Issues of safety and accessibility have prompted cities around Ohio to innovate and expand public outdoor space to improve networks for socialization and active transportation.
What is active transportation?
Active transportation is any self-propelled, human-powered mode of transportation, such as walking or bicycling. With supposed shifts away from public transportation due to crowding concerns, the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for better streets and sidewalks to support the people who may opt for active transportation options in the future. As GOPC has written in the past, choosing to walk or bike can be dangerous given the inadequate complete street networks that exist in Ohio.
Many communities in Ohio have responded to the increased demand for transportation alternatives in this pandemic by opening sections of streets and reducing parking to allow more space for distanced, outdoor socialization. Cincinnati closed a number of streets in their downtown/Over-the-Rhine districts, and Shaker Heights closed a section of a central road through the Van Aken District to expand patio space for bars and restaurants in the area. Even communities as small as the City of Lebanon (pop. 20,727) are temporarily closing streets during the weekends to allow more space for walking and dining outdoors. Many of the actions in Ohio have been directed to support local businesses as social distancing regulations limit the number of customers that can occupy indoor space. Coastal cities in the U.S., like Philadelphia and New York City, have closed down portions of main thoroughfares to support increased levels of biking and walking. Internationally, Mexico City is considering nearly quadrupling its network of bike lanes, and Bogota, Colombia has built nearly 50 miles of additional bike lanes to promote socially distant active commutes.
A survey focusing on how the pandemic is affecting commuting found that 22% of respondents plan to change their mode of transportation to work. The majority of this shift comes from individuals previously taking transit who would opt to walk or bike to work instead. Communities in Ohio will have to improve and better connect their active transportation networks in order to accommodate a significant transportation mode shift safely. The good news is that the state is taking an important first step; over the past year, ODOT has been working on the state’s first ever pedestrian and bicycle policy plan, Walk.Bike.Ohio. ODOT’s new plan is in development, but communities can act now by creating and implementing complete street plans to support active transportation.
With the world seemingly changing every day, it’s important for cities to adapt to shifting demands. Active transportation is related to many other benefits; more people walking and biking leads to a healthier population, increased economic participation, and less traffic congestion. The shift in transportation preferences related to the pandemic may pass when social distancing concerns fade away in the future, but if cities invest in better active transportation networks, like multi-use trails or protected bike lanes, this shift could result more permanent. GOPC has long been an advocate for complete streets and active transportation policies, and hopes that cities and the state can meet the needs of a growing number of workers looking towards active transportation as an option for commuting and recreation.