BIKEWAYS INFORMATION
("Multi-Use" Paths)

The Club tallies Bikeway Miles on a monthly basis.  Click on the links at right to see how far we've gone!  The links to the right are provided for additional bikeways information.

by: Chris Brown

By this time you may be aware of the new “Miami Valley Recreational Trails Map,” published by the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. This map shows all the trails in Miami, Clark, Montgomery and Greene Counties and how they’re interconnected.  It shows the entire Little Miami Scenic Trail as well as details of downtown Dayton, Xenia, Springfield and Piqua. And it is printed on a tear-resistant, waterproof, recyclable synthetic “paper.” 

We are fortunate to have such a beautiful, extensive trails system but these paths can also be dangerous: in the past I have written about game hunters near Urbana shooting across the trails; newspapers have reported joggers being accosted on occasion; and, near the end of November, a cyclist seemingly lost control of his bicycle and was found in the Great Miami River just south of Helena Street.  The best advice I can give you is, whenever possible, to use the “Buddy System,” along with carrying a cell phone. I know there are times when it’s nice to just be out by yourself and in fact I often ride alone. But using the “buddy system” can minimize the chance of being in an unpleasant situation.  This can be especially important if you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, which could incapacitate you – merely carrying a cell phone may not be enough if consciousness is lost.  If you often ride the same routes, get to know the people you see regularly. Riverscape, Xenia Station and other places along the trails have regular maintenance people with whom you can get to know. If you run into trouble you may be able to seek them out for help.

Our paths are here to be enjoyed. Please take responsibility for ensuring your health and safety while you’re out there.    

TRAIL HAPPENINGS

(1 May 2008) The Stewart Street Bridge in downtown Dayton is planned to be replaced starting in June 2008. The $16.5M construction is planned to take 18 months. When it is complete the new bridge will be six lanes wide instead of the current four lanes. There will be a 10’ sidewalk on each side (North & South) to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. During construction, the detour will be North to the new Washington Street Bridge (just North of US-35).

(1 May 2008) The Great Miami Recreation Trail, between Rice Field and Crain's Run, is in the process of being moved.  The Great Miami River had undercut, where the bike path had been;  the Miami Conservancy District is moving it away from the river.  Construction should be completed in July, 2008.  In the meantime, bicyclists can walk bikes through the construction area, so long as workers are not on site at the time, or one is able to stay out of the workers' way.

(1 May 2008) The I-75 reconstruction in downtown Dayton will close the Great Miami River Recreation Trail on both banks until Summer 2008. The construction is on the I-75 bridges over the Great Miami River. For more information see the ODOT Web Site which has current status on the construction.  Detour signs are supposed to be posted.

(18 Mar 08) Monument Street Bridge in downtown Dayton over the Great Miami River and, more importantly to cyclists, goes over the Great Miami River Recreation Trail on both banks, will be replaced starting March 2008. The new bridge will be under construction for about 18 months (until about September 2009) and cost about $16.5 M. The detour is as follows: 
West Side of River
Bikeway will be closed in the vicinity of Riverview & Forest. Bicyclists will use the stairs at this location to access Riverview Avenue. They will travel along Riverview/Edwin C. Moses to the Edwin C Moses Bridge over Wolf Creek and use the stairs to access the bike path again. 
East Side of River
Bikeway will not be accessible off of Veterans Parkway. Bicyclists will proceed on Veterans Parkway, across the Washington Street Bridge, northwardly along Edwin C Moses Boulevard/Riverview Avenue to the stairs at Riverview & Forest. Bicyclists will then use the stairs to access the bike path. 
The contractor will be posting detour signs along the route. Signs are probably already up.

Another 1.2 miles of the trail between West Carrollton and Miamisburg adjacent to County Road 25-A is scheduled for a major upgrade next year. The trail will be completely rebuilt and widened from 8 feet to 10 feet. The project schedule has not yet been determined. "

BIKEWAY MILEAGE

INTERESTS

ODOT Sharing the Trails