As a resident of Bunts Rd for nearly 25 years and an avid walker and bike rider, I oppose the use of Bunts for a larger multi-use path. One of the reasons they’re narrowing the street is to reduce the speed of traffic for safety so why shouldn’t we use this same principle for the path? We have successfully used the 5’ wide sidewalks to connect with businesses, parks and schools in this city for many years! It’s a sufficient way to connect with other bike paths where we can travel longer distances and benefit from an active, outdoor lifestyle. If we widen this path, will we invite people traveling at faster speeds? Will this be the safest route for bicyclists who cross many streets, businesses and driveways with cars on an extremely busy, high volume street? The people who DON’T live on Bunts, would you support this much larger path on YOUR street? Getting rid of trees seems detrimental to any urban setting where we need this natural filtration and shade. Any thought to how HOT this path will get without the shade of the trees? This can discourage people from using the path according to several urban planning sites. If we keep the current sidewalk size there is a greater chance of keeping many of the trees while we update infrastructure. Also, this a seasonal path! We live in NE Ohio where weather has a huge impact on outdoor activities! This seems like a LOT of money to fix something that was working just fine. This connection is short and bike riders and pedestrians can peacefully share the sidewalk as we always have. Please don’t add another high speed high volume “highway”. Let’s table this and gather more information to find the best solution for safety and fiscal responsibility.

I STRONGLY oppose the Bunts Road project. Please show me a supporter who LIVES on Bunts. Doubt there are many, if any. Please show me a supporter who has offered their tree lawn, trees, and quiet neighborhood for more street noise, litter, traffic, difficulty getting out of their driveways, more hardscape, and lowered property values. Who on city council that is rushing this project lives on Bunts? We have more than enough going on already in this street already. Spread the wealth and consider another avenue for this project.

Land ownership should not effect a persons eligibility for being on the committee. With that being said I urge the passage of 16-2025.

An advisory board made up of residents who have a true passion and stake in this city is imperative for this to work. The city should create this board with the goal of representing all residents of Lakewood. Include someone with more than 20 years of living in Lakewood. Include someone who is not afraid to take on special interest groups. Include someone who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work that will truly improve the city. Include people who are not afraid to ask tough questions or question popular opinion.

Lakewood needs complete streets YESTERDAY. I genuinely do not understand why this is taking so long. If the city truly prioritizes keeping its residents safe and improving quality of life, this ordinance must be passed at the earliest possible opportunity. Without a complete streets ordinance, the Active transportation plan amounts to suggestions without any teeth and the city government will have sent a loud and clear signal that it prioritizes car speeds over the safety of people that live, work, and play in Lakewood.

The bunts road crew have shown time and time again that they lack an understanding of what complete streets are and how people are kept safe in a dense city and they lack a willingness or ability to read. Studies nationwide have shown that places with traffic calming, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and safe, quiet streets are the most desirable and economically successful places to be.

Help our city be the best version place for PEOPLE to be rather than a mediocre place for drivers to pass through.

I agree that citizens need to weigh in on every aspect of city business, including making our streets safer and more effective for all. I urge elected officials to slow down and create a committee that will represent ALL of the people. The citizens advisory committee should be made up of people who truly represent the city of Lakewood. Include at least one person on this committee who has had a long-term stake in the city, perhaps someone with at least 20 years of being a resident in Lakewood.

I support the complete streets ordinance and hope that it is passed as soon as possible. It is beyond time that we look at our streets from a perspective beyond that of a windshield, which is exactly what this ordinance aims to do. Investment in transportation infrastructure and policies that move our city away from car dependency will make us a more desirable community. A place where young people who want to start families will want to move and a place where older people will want to remain. This ordinance will position Lakewood to be sustainable in every sense of the word; socially equitable, economically feasible, and environmentally sound.

I am opposed to the shared use path because it will increase traffic to an unthinkable amount of noise. Please reconsider this project on Bunts Road. I have lived on Bunts Road for over 35 years, north of the high school. We have an extreme amount of people traffic on sidewalks due to close proximity to the high school. Since the Get Go Gas Station opened, car traffic has increased more than double. Adding a bike path will amplify the unbearable traffic and noise level. An increase in traffic near the high school is a safety issue because Bunts is already one of the busiest streets. Bunts road is not in the metro parks nor is it in any type of park. It’s a busy street! It’s not ideal to add additional north/south traffic with a path if your goal is public safety. It will only make Bunts Road the most dangerous street in our beloved city. Please RETHINK your proposal.

Thank you for your consideration.

Vera Perez

I oppose Ordinance No. 16-2025.
While I fully support creating safer, more accessible streets for all, this ordinance, as written, centralizes decision-making within the City Engineer and Public Works Department, limits public involvement, and reduces Planning Commission oversight. This is especially concerning given statements by city staff that they “didn’t have enough time,” and that tiered projects were being accelerated to meet funding deadlines.
Residents deserve meaningful opportunities to weigh in before final decisions are made. As proposed, this ordinance bypasses that input in favor of speed and internal discretion.
Lakewood residents care deeply about the integrity of our infrastructure, public safety, mature street trees, and thoughtful long-term planning. Yet this measure is being advanced as an emergency, without complete supporting documentation or the transparency needed to evaluate its full impact.
That’s not good governance, and it’s certainly not democracy.
Please pause this ordinance. Establish clearer standards for public review, require more robust community engagement for both Tier I and Tier II projects, and avoid using Emergency declarations to fast-track long-term policy changes.
Lakewood deserves a Complete Streets policy—but not one rushed through without transparency or public trust.

I strongly oppose the Bunts Road Rehab Multi-Modal Plan because it poses safety risks, lacks crucial traffic and environmental studies, bypasses necessary public engagement, and is being rushed forward with insufficient data and support. As written, this ordinance is deeply flawed.

I am opposed to the multimodal path proposed for Bunts Road. "The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few" It is a demonstrably bad idea, with little support. While I support safer, more accessible streets for all, this ordinance—as written—centralizes decision-making within the City Engineer and Public Works Department, while limiting public involvement and reducing Planning Commission oversight. This is especially concerning given statements by city staff that they “didn’t have enough time,” and that Tiered projects were being accelerated to meet funding deadlines.
Residents deserve meaningful opportunities to weigh in—before final decisions are made. As proposed, this ordinance bypasses that input in favor of speed and internal discretion.
Lakewood residents care deeply about the integrity of our infrastructure, public safety, mature street trees, and long-term planning. Yet this measure is being advanced as an emergency, without complete supporting documentation or the transparency needed to evaluate its full impact.
That’s not good governance—and it’s certainly not democracy.
Please pause this ordinance. Establish clearer standards for public review, require more robust community engagement for both Tier I and Tier II projects, and avoid using emergency declarations to fast-track long-term policy changes.
Lakewood deserves a Complete Streets policy—but not one rushed through without transparency or public trust.

I'm in favor of this ordinance, the faster we act on implementation of the bunts road multi use path the more lives we save directly and indirectly.

Directly by making the street safer for active transportation users so they don't have to risk their lives riding beside automobiles

Indirectly by encouraging healthier lifestyles through active transportation, cardio is always for people's heart.

I am opposed to the multi-use path being built on Bunts Road. As a resident of the street, I worry for the safety of those who will walk and ride past so many driveways not to mention the Giant Eagle parking lot. It also bothers me that the artist renditions of the proposed plan shows trees lined along the side of the path. This feels to me very much like false advertising. Even if some saplings are planted where mature trees are removed, it will be many years until the street looks green and inviting again. It seems so senseless to remove flourishing trees which were paid for by city taxpayers (including the beautiful, fiery red maple I look forward to watching change color every fall in front of my home). I urge the council to strongly consider the downsides of the proposed multi-use path on such a busy street in Lakewood.

Strongly in favor of the ordinance as well as moving forward on the Bunts road project. I continue to see Lakewood tout its walkability and pedestrian and cycling friendly streets and culture in public facing documents and social media posts, but I fear that actual progress is getting stalled at the municipal level. I believe it is time to put some action behind the claims and promotions of our great multimodal transportation community. Thank you.

As a Bunts Road resident and cyclist who has personally been injured in a crash while biking in Lakewood, I fully support safer, multimodal infrastructure—but it must be done right. The proposed sidepath on Bunts Road raises serious safety concerns due to the volume of traffic, high number of driveways, and limited visibility for turning vehicles. ODOT’s Multimodal Design Guide warns of these exact risks when placing shared use paths on busy urban streets. Bunts is not a safe fit. Many residents feel excluded from the planning process and are just now getting a chance to be heard. Please don’t rush this decision. Don’t gamble with safety. Let’s take the time to get this right and find a safer location that truly supports Lakewood’s cycling future.

I strongly support this ordinance and the Bunts Ave multi-use path, which represents over a year of careful planning to improve safety and accessibility for all residents. It's disappointing to see attempts to misrepresent this project and its impact, particularly regarding the multi-use path and tree removal, which is tied to separate infrastructure work. This ordinance is a necessary step for a more inclusive and vibrant community.

I continue to support this ordinance and hope to see it passed as quickly as possible. This is not something that has been hastily put together; over a year (and even longer in some cases) of work and collaboration has been put into the details presented. All in all, this ordinance puts our community members first when it comes to how they travel through it and minimizes barriers for people who can’t or don’t use a vehicle, whether through choice or circumstance. We all deserve to be treated with respect as a person, and that should not stop when it comes to your mode of transportation. Thank you for all the efforts being put forth to making living and traveling through safer, more accessible, and welcoming to all. Changes like this are part of what makes Lakewood vibrant and helps attract future generations to move/continue living here.

I support this ordinance as written. It's well thought out and has been in the works for over a year.

I am thrilled that a multi-use path will be built on Bunts Ave. There is a huge need to provide safe bike routes on north and south streets in Lakewood. My workplace is moving to the south end of W. 140th and despite being closer to my house than MidTown is, I can't commute there on my bike as it stands now. Very much looking forward to this!

I have followed this ordinance since the initial draft was first introduced about a year ago. This topic is valuable and I support continuing development of this ordinance.

I would like to see city council vote to approve and move forward with the Bunts Rd. multi-use path. My wife and I and our two young kids use Bunts frequently to access groceries, our daycare, and to get to work, all by bike. Like anyone who rides frequently, we have had too many close calls with impatient or distracted drivers. Having the path would make our daily errands much safer and give our family much more peace of mind.