I support the Bunts Road Rehab project and particularly the addition of a multi-use path. I grew up in Lakewood and recently moved back when my husband and I purchased our home here last year. Something that has always been great about Lakewood is the ability to live here without needing to rely on a car. The multi-use path would help all residents get to work, school, leisure activities, or run errands in a safe way.
I strongly support the shared use path on Bunts. I am a Lakewood resident, and I greatly value that I can walk, bike, and drive throughout the city and support any initiative that makes these commuting methods safer for our city’s residents and visitors. The shared use path on Bunts is much-needed.
I am a very casual bike rider who lives nearby and passes through Bunts as part of my normal commute (driving). As it stands today I would be somewhat concerned riding with cars. So when I have an errand to run or friends to visit in that direction I am more likely to drive even on a nice day. If I had a safe space to take a leisurely ride I would gladly do so. I personally haven’t ever had a problem on similar paths in communities like this such as Cleveland Heights and University Circle. Let’s improve and expand the walk and bike ability of our community!
As a Lakewood resident and new father, I appreciate the city’s efforts to make our community a safer place for all commuters. Bunts is one of the most scary places to walk or ride due to high speeds and aggressive traffic. While change is unconscionable, the addition of the shared use path to Bunts will result in a more connected, equitable city. Thank you!
While the City of Lakewood asserts that the Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project involved strong public engagement, the process lacked the depth, transparency, and inclusiveness required for meaningful community participation.
Insufficient Notification and Outreach:
The city’s notice sent April 25, 2024, for a May 7 meetings offered residents less than two weeks to prepare. This short window, combined with limited sign placement only along the corridor and at City Hall, excluded many who use Bunts Road but don’t live adjacent to it. Broader, outreach and digital engagement were needed prior to not after the meeting.
One Meeting is Not Meaningful Engagement:
A single public meeting with a predetermined plan does not constitute robust input. A co-creative, iterative process with multiple forums would have enabled residents to influence design meaningfully. This did not occur.
Public Comment Was Not Representative:
Only 95 comments were received—a small fraction of Lakewood’s population. A 56% preference translates to just ~53 individuals. This does not represent public consensus, especially as nearly one-third of respondents rejected or did not prefer either option.
Lack of Transparency:
The City has not disclosed how public feedback was weighed against technical factors. Without a public decision matrix or design report, it’s unclear how or if feedback shaped outcomes.
Community Concerns Were Downplayed:
Public concerns about safety, parking, traffic, and equity appear underrepresented in summaries. A full, unedited record of public comments should be made available.
This project deserves a more transparent and inclusive engagement process before moving forward.
Strongly support. This city needs to start down the pathway towards equitable transportation options and we are long overdue. Every piece of infrastructure that supports bike-ability, walkability, and public transportation serves to strengthen the health of our city and citizens from an economic, environmental, physical and social standpoint while increasing the overall safety for our citizens and children to boot. Any alleged drawbacks, which I don’t agree there are any, are easily outweighed by what we stand gain in return. The trade-offs are more than worth it. Period.
I have been a resident of Lakewood for nine and a half years, and am invested in the future of our beautiful city. My nieces and nephew go to Lakewood schools. So do many of my friend’s children and the kids who go to my church. Because I care deeply about the children who commute to school, and all the people who live in and nearby Lakewood who will be positively impacted by this project, I support the Bunts Rd Rehabilitation project. Please continue with the plan, as is!
Regarding the Bunts Road Project: As a resident of Lakewood I am in support of improving our bike and pedestrian infrastructure on Bunts Road. Doing so will improve the safety of children walking or biking to Lakewood High school and a shared use path will make grocery stores and places of business more accessible to residents.
Investing in infrastructure to improve walkability and biking in cities reduces the number of cars on the streets, reduces pollution, reduces pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents--making roads safer for pedestrians and motor vehicles, and it will make the option of walking or biking more appealing to residents who may currently drive across town due to lack of infrastructure. We need the infrastructure in place to reap these benefits.
There is always inconvenience regarding construction and I would like to add that as a resident living on Lake Avenue we were inconvenienced by the construction on our street regarding the needed water and sewer improvements and now that the road is re-striped with designated biking lanes, and now that the speed limit reduced, we have an East to West road that is safe for pedestrians and motor vehicles. Every day we live with the benefits of this pedestrian friendly design. Providing a safe North to South walking and biking route in the middle of the city would be a huge improvement to accessibility in connecting points of interest across the city.
Members of the City Council, it is not often that we are presented with the option to redesign public roadways and pedestrian infrastructure at this scale, please support the Bunts Road Project to ensure that we are laying the groundwork for a safer future for the pedestrians, residents, and especially the children of this beautiful city.
Misinformation must not stop the city from making progress towards a safer, more equitable Lakewood for all. I support the shared use path on Bunts for the following reasons:
1. Bunts is not just a route to I-90. It's a route to neighboring cities, public transit options, schools, shops, restaurants, and grocery stores.
2. This path creates the freedom of choice for how people want to get around: roadway, the path, and a separate sidewalk. Vehicle traffic is substantially faster than the average cyclist. The path promotes a safer street for all.
3. Trees may need to be removed due to the water main, sewer line, and road surface work. Even without the path, you will lose trees.
4. Pedestrians and people on bikes make less of an environmental impact than cars.
5. No one will lose their entire tree lawn and traffic will not move closer to houses. Vehicle traffic will remain the same distance from homes or actually be further away from homes than it is now.
6. The city has worked with experts in various departments and with ODOT for over a year to create this plan.
7. Other streets may be less safe for people on bikes to ride down them but Bunts is slated for road work next year, which allows this project to occur sooner rather than later.
8. It is only legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk at the speed of a pedestrian. The road is the only legal place for people on bikes to ride at a reasonable speed. The path is essential to separating cars and bikes.
9. This project is an investment in Lakewood's future. Children are being told that this path is bad, though it gives them a wider space to travel down to get to school, a friend’s house, or to plan upon. It also promotes decreasing our environmental footprint, which undoubtedly will impact the future generations.
Thank you city administration, council, and staff for the countless hours you’ve put into this project and working toward making Lakewood safer and increasing the quality of life for all of our residents.
Hello, I am a West Park resident that has no safe bike route from my house to Downtown/Eastern Lakewood, and Edgewater Park. On Bunts between Madison and I-90 the sidewalk is atrocious, the road is narrow and full of potholes, the drivers want me dead, and there are always pedestrians walking. I feel between a rock and a hard place when riding my bike North or South through Lakewood. All of the bike infrastructure is meant for people going East-West. If you hate cyclists on the road, you should support this legislation because it would give me a safe route off of the road to not be in your way. If you like cyclists, you should support this legislation because it makes riding through Lakewood faster and safer(for everyone). My last note is that I would hope that all comments about the trees are ignored because they are going to be cut down anyway so please get with reality.
Hello my name is Fermin, I live a 20 minute bike south of here; I'm a bike commuter who lives without a car by choice. Me and other bike commuters use Bunts to run errands, social meet ups, or to get to work.
This path would encourage people to use their cars less which in turn would increase public health due to the cardio and benefits the environment as automobiles are the top source of pollution in America from exhausts, tires, road damage, oil, etc...
This multi use path would make it far safer for those of us who use active transportation since we wouldn't be mixed to ride along side motorists who love to be on their phones like I see every day with great frequency.
This multi use path would allow us to get to A and B far more practically than other routes which is the reason why you see Bunts being so busy, it's the most optimal route; any other route nearby would have us zig zagging just to get to our destination. This path is not just for recreation, it's for transportation and do so safely since we're finally separated from multi ton automobiles. If we only had a sidewalk instead of a path, people who use active transportation in the winter would not be able to safely get to where they need to go since sidewalks don't get plowed.
My husband and I are residents of Bunts Road and strongly oppose the shared-use path. Today we received a “fact sheet” in the mail from the City of Lakewood promoting the plan but not actually stating anything new and certainly not addressing any of the very real concerns of residents who will be directly impacted by this project. It’s frustrating and disheartening that the charm of our street will be forever changed. And once again, the rendition drawing shows trees lining the west side of Bunts along the bike path, when in reality this is a completely unfair picture of the way this this shared-use path will actually look when completed. It will be a treacherous path to nowhere that crosses hundreds of driveways and offers no relief from the sun for many years because every tree in its way will have been destroyed.
I strongly support the multi-use path on Bunts and look forward to being able to safely bike down this street, the north-south connection will be wonderful for everyone who bikes or walks for errands, commuting, or just enjoying being outside.
Petition signatures in opposition of the shared-used path on Bunts now total more than 950 concerned citizens, taxpayers, and voters.
This includes at least 100 households on Bunts, significant support from those who own homes on Bunts, people from across Lakewood, and those who use Bunts frequently. It’s not a small group.
Their reasons are many, but chief among them is safety. Putting people of all ages and abilities on a path with fast-moving, wheeled modes of transportation is dangerous and irresponsible.
Bunts Road residents have presented a significant amount of evidence proving just that. Everything we have presented has been backed by facts and we have provided the links to where those facts were found.
We are not asking to remove the shared-used path from the Bunts Rehabilitation plan just because we don’t like it. A shared-use path on Bunts is unsafe. That is backed by many facts and life experience on Bunts. Further, removal of mature trees is bad for the city overall, a sentiment supported by facts.
The city’s Active Transportation Plan also notes that people can already ride their bikes on existing sidewalks. So, what problem is the city solving by spending money on a shared-use path and putting people in harm’s way? Fact: ODOT recommends that shared-use paths should not be on streets with many driveways. There are 116 driveways and entrances/exits on Bunts.
It’s wasteful and irresponsible to build the path. The city should consider the alternatives it has been given.
The right path forward for Lakewood is one that is safe for all, is responsible, and has the backing of those who are most impacted.
Responsible Active Transportation is imperative for a city as densely populated as Lakewood.
We have heard a lot lately about how the Active Transportation Plan is guiding the city. But, is it really? Let's take a closer look at what's in the ATP.
• P. 9: Safety analyses and review of bicycle and pedestrian crash data showed high concentrations of bicycle and pedestrian crashes on Detroit, Madison, W. 117th (not Bunts)
• P. 10: A prioritization process that included input from the community identified projects that should be implemented in the short term. Top projects included: » Buffered bike lane on Franklin Avenue, » Separated bike facilities on West Clifton Boulevard, and » A network of bike boulevards on residential roadways including Cohassett, Cove, Ridgewood, and Delaware. Not Bunts.
• P. 18: The priority destinations that Lakewood residents would like to visit by foot or bike include: » Commercial and retail destinations along Detroit & Madison, » Madison Library, » Scenic Park Metroparks, » Lakewood Park, and » Rocky River Reservation (Nothing along Bunts)
• P. 31: In Lakewood, it is legal for both children and adults to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk. So why does Bunts need a multi-modal or shared-use path?
• P. 38: Bunts is not an identified area of high need/demand.
• P. 43: Crash data says most bicycle crashes are on east/west streets
• P. 46: highest stress roads for bicyclists: Bunts not listed among them as LTS4. Shared use is only recommended for LTS4.
• P. 47: Bunts identified as higher/highest level of traffic stress. Why make it more stressful with this path?
Knowing all of this and approving the plan just last year, why was Bunts chosen for a shared-use path? The city’s own facts and research do not even support the path. The following alternatives would follow the city’s own ATP.
Suggested North/South alternatives:
• Ridgewood/Cove
• Halstead/Cohassett/Thoreau
• W. 117th
• Belle
• Riverside Dr/West Clifton
I am writing to express my strong support for all things active transportation, including the bunts multi use path and the complete streets ordinance. Both of these are needed YESTERDAY. People that oppose these issues are self-identified NIMBYs. They claim to support safety and bicycling infrastructure, just not where they live. They have had as much opportunity as anyone else to provide feedback and yet the public feedback was overwhelmingly in support of the bunts road project as it is with the complete streets ordinance. These are people that drive their cars daily, using a highway that destroyed hundreds of homes in Lakewood, Cleveland, and other surrounding communities -- at least 160 in Lakewood alone --during its construction, pushing all of the negative externalities of car centric design onto other people. Projects that promote active transportation cause no negative externalities for the surrounding neighborhoods. The areas are quieter, have cleaner air and water, smoother flowing traffic and higher property values.
All these people have done is spread misinformation. We have all heard it. The street will not be narrower. Traffic will not be closer to homes. It is not more dangerous to have cyclists, pedestrians, and mobility devices users separated from car traffic. A projected 111 trees will be removed out of over 240 and that will happen with or without the path. The only danger on this street today and in the future comes from careless, inattentive, or disrespectful drivers. This is a decision on equitable access to our streets, regardless of how a person chooses to move through the city, whether by bus, car, bike, on foot, or using an assistive device. Please wrap this up as soon as possible so we can move on with our lives.
I strongly support the proposed multi-use path on Bunts Road. This project addresses critical infrastructure needs by creating:
A protected path for cyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized users
A north-south corridor for safe active transportation
A safer route for high school students on a heavily trafficked road
I'd like to address some concerns raised by opponents:
Regarding trees: The city has committed to replacing any trees removed during the necessary infrastructure work. This project coordinates with already-planned street and pipe repairs, making it fiscally responsible.
Regarding design: Some opponents incorrectly claim the path will be on both sides of the street. My understanding is it's a single multi-use path, efficiently using space while providing needed safety benefits.
Regarding convenience: While drivers may need a brief adjustment period to check for path users, this minor inconvenience is far outweighed by the significant safety benefits for cyclists and pedestrians. Our streets should serve everyone, not just those in cars.
Lakewood prides itself on being a walkable, progressive community. This project aligns perfectly with our values and sustainability goals. Many of us chose to live here specifically because of these qualities. The Bunts Road path is an important investment in infrastructure that serves residents of all ages and transportation modes.
Given that this project has already been approved after thorough planning, I urge you to move forward with implementation as scheduled. Please don't allow a vocal minority to derail this important project at such a late stage. The broader community stands to benefit significantly from making Lakewood safer and more accessible for everyone.
I live on Detroit very close to Bunts and regularly bike this area. A bike path would make me feel much safer riding my bike. A previous comment stated bike paths belong near parks or bodies of water, and I use Bunts to access the bike path on Lake Road.
I oppose the Bunts Road multi use path. It is not the right spot in Lakewood to have a multi used path. Multi use paths belong in the metro parks, near a body of water, or any other type of park setting and Bunts Road is no park or visually interesting like a body of water. Tthere are too many intersections and driveways and it will be hazardous for our bikers and walkers.
What makes you think people from the east or west side of Lakewood will travel to Bunts Road specifically to use a 1 mile path that goes to nowhere interesting. It doesn’t make sense. There is no destination for them. I could understand if it went straight to Lakewood Park or the metro park, but it doesn’t.
If you are looking to build “complete streets“, I’m all for it! Go ahead and take some of the tree lawn to widen Bunts Road to include bike lanes as you have done on Detroit and Madison. This makes sense and it keeps the walkers on the sidewalk .
Please think of what you’re doing to our neighborhood landscape. Keeping our historical neighborhood sidewalks are important for our “walkable city,” which received this title without a multi use path. One side of the street should not differ from the other side. Those traveling on wheels, like cars and bikes need to be in the street in their designated lane and not be combined with walkers.
Please rethink how we can support complete streets for our bikers and keep our sidewalks for our walkable city. Thank you for allowing me to comment.
I support the Bunts Road Rehab project and particularly the addition of a multi-use path. I grew up in Lakewood and recently moved back when my husband and I purchased our home here last year. Something that has always been great about Lakewood is the ability to live here without needing to rely on a car. The multi-use path would help all residents get to work, school, leisure activities, or run errands in a safe way.
I strongly support the shared use path on Bunts. I am a Lakewood resident, and I greatly value that I can walk, bike, and drive throughout the city and support any initiative that makes these commuting methods safer for our city’s residents and visitors. The shared use path on Bunts is much-needed.
I am a very casual bike rider who lives nearby and passes through Bunts as part of my normal commute (driving). As it stands today I would be somewhat concerned riding with cars. So when I have an errand to run or friends to visit in that direction I am more likely to drive even on a nice day. If I had a safe space to take a leisurely ride I would gladly do so. I personally haven’t ever had a problem on similar paths in communities like this such as Cleveland Heights and University Circle. Let’s improve and expand the walk and bike ability of our community!
As a Lakewood resident and new father, I appreciate the city’s efforts to make our community a safer place for all commuters. Bunts is one of the most scary places to walk or ride due to high speeds and aggressive traffic. While change is unconscionable, the addition of the shared use path to Bunts will result in a more connected, equitable city. Thank you!
While the City of Lakewood asserts that the Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project involved strong public engagement, the process lacked the depth, transparency, and inclusiveness required for meaningful community participation.
Insufficient Notification and Outreach:
The city’s notice sent April 25, 2024, for a May 7 meetings offered residents less than two weeks to prepare. This short window, combined with limited sign placement only along the corridor and at City Hall, excluded many who use Bunts Road but don’t live adjacent to it. Broader, outreach and digital engagement were needed prior to not after the meeting.
One Meeting is Not Meaningful Engagement:
A single public meeting with a predetermined plan does not constitute robust input. A co-creative, iterative process with multiple forums would have enabled residents to influence design meaningfully. This did not occur.
Public Comment Was Not Representative:
Only 95 comments were received—a small fraction of Lakewood’s population. A 56% preference translates to just ~53 individuals. This does not represent public consensus, especially as nearly one-third of respondents rejected or did not prefer either option.
Lack of Transparency:
The City has not disclosed how public feedback was weighed against technical factors. Without a public decision matrix or design report, it’s unclear how or if feedback shaped outcomes.
Community Concerns Were Downplayed:
Public concerns about safety, parking, traffic, and equity appear underrepresented in summaries. A full, unedited record of public comments should be made available.
This project deserves a more transparent and inclusive engagement process before moving forward.
Strongly support. This city needs to start down the pathway towards equitable transportation options and we are long overdue. Every piece of infrastructure that supports bike-ability, walkability, and public transportation serves to strengthen the health of our city and citizens from an economic, environmental, physical and social standpoint while increasing the overall safety for our citizens and children to boot. Any alleged drawbacks, which I don’t agree there are any, are easily outweighed by what we stand gain in return. The trade-offs are more than worth it. Period.
I have been a resident of Lakewood for nine and a half years, and am invested in the future of our beautiful city. My nieces and nephew go to Lakewood schools. So do many of my friend’s children and the kids who go to my church. Because I care deeply about the children who commute to school, and all the people who live in and nearby Lakewood who will be positively impacted by this project, I support the Bunts Rd Rehabilitation project. Please continue with the plan, as is!
Regarding the Bunts Road Project: As a resident of Lakewood I am in support of improving our bike and pedestrian infrastructure on Bunts Road. Doing so will improve the safety of children walking or biking to Lakewood High school and a shared use path will make grocery stores and places of business more accessible to residents.
Investing in infrastructure to improve walkability and biking in cities reduces the number of cars on the streets, reduces pollution, reduces pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents--making roads safer for pedestrians and motor vehicles, and it will make the option of walking or biking more appealing to residents who may currently drive across town due to lack of infrastructure. We need the infrastructure in place to reap these benefits.
There is always inconvenience regarding construction and I would like to add that as a resident living on Lake Avenue we were inconvenienced by the construction on our street regarding the needed water and sewer improvements and now that the road is re-striped with designated biking lanes, and now that the speed limit reduced, we have an East to West road that is safe for pedestrians and motor vehicles. Every day we live with the benefits of this pedestrian friendly design. Providing a safe North to South walking and biking route in the middle of the city would be a huge improvement to accessibility in connecting points of interest across the city.
Members of the City Council, it is not often that we are presented with the option to redesign public roadways and pedestrian infrastructure at this scale, please support the Bunts Road Project to ensure that we are laying the groundwork for a safer future for the pedestrians, residents, and especially the children of this beautiful city.
Misinformation must not stop the city from making progress towards a safer, more equitable Lakewood for all. I support the shared use path on Bunts for the following reasons:
1. Bunts is not just a route to I-90. It's a route to neighboring cities, public transit options, schools, shops, restaurants, and grocery stores.
2. This path creates the freedom of choice for how people want to get around: roadway, the path, and a separate sidewalk. Vehicle traffic is substantially faster than the average cyclist. The path promotes a safer street for all.
3. Trees may need to be removed due to the water main, sewer line, and road surface work. Even without the path, you will lose trees.
4. Pedestrians and people on bikes make less of an environmental impact than cars.
5. No one will lose their entire tree lawn and traffic will not move closer to houses. Vehicle traffic will remain the same distance from homes or actually be further away from homes than it is now.
6. The city has worked with experts in various departments and with ODOT for over a year to create this plan.
7. Other streets may be less safe for people on bikes to ride down them but Bunts is slated for road work next year, which allows this project to occur sooner rather than later.
8. It is only legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk at the speed of a pedestrian. The road is the only legal place for people on bikes to ride at a reasonable speed. The path is essential to separating cars and bikes.
9. This project is an investment in Lakewood's future. Children are being told that this path is bad, though it gives them a wider space to travel down to get to school, a friend’s house, or to plan upon. It also promotes decreasing our environmental footprint, which undoubtedly will impact the future generations.
Thank you city administration, council, and staff for the countless hours you’ve put into this project and working toward making Lakewood safer and increasing the quality of life for all of our residents.
Hello, I am a West Park resident that has no safe bike route from my house to Downtown/Eastern Lakewood, and Edgewater Park. On Bunts between Madison and I-90 the sidewalk is atrocious, the road is narrow and full of potholes, the drivers want me dead, and there are always pedestrians walking. I feel between a rock and a hard place when riding my bike North or South through Lakewood. All of the bike infrastructure is meant for people going East-West. If you hate cyclists on the road, you should support this legislation because it would give me a safe route off of the road to not be in your way. If you like cyclists, you should support this legislation because it makes riding through Lakewood faster and safer(for everyone). My last note is that I would hope that all comments about the trees are ignored because they are going to be cut down anyway so please get with reality.
Hello my name is Fermin, I live a 20 minute bike south of here; I'm a bike commuter who lives without a car by choice. Me and other bike commuters use Bunts to run errands, social meet ups, or to get to work.
This path would encourage people to use their cars less which in turn would increase public health due to the cardio and benefits the environment as automobiles are the top source of pollution in America from exhausts, tires, road damage, oil, etc...
This multi use path would make it far safer for those of us who use active transportation since we wouldn't be mixed to ride along side motorists who love to be on their phones like I see every day with great frequency.
This multi use path would allow us to get to A and B far more practically than other routes which is the reason why you see Bunts being so busy, it's the most optimal route; any other route nearby would have us zig zagging just to get to our destination. This path is not just for recreation, it's for transportation and do so safely since we're finally separated from multi ton automobiles. If we only had a sidewalk instead of a path, people who use active transportation in the winter would not be able to safely get to where they need to go since sidewalks don't get plowed.
My husband and I are residents of Bunts Road and strongly oppose the shared-use path. Today we received a “fact sheet” in the mail from the City of Lakewood promoting the plan but not actually stating anything new and certainly not addressing any of the very real concerns of residents who will be directly impacted by this project. It’s frustrating and disheartening that the charm of our street will be forever changed. And once again, the rendition drawing shows trees lining the west side of Bunts along the bike path, when in reality this is a completely unfair picture of the way this this shared-use path will actually look when completed. It will be a treacherous path to nowhere that crosses hundreds of driveways and offers no relief from the sun for many years because every tree in its way will have been destroyed.
I strongly support the multi-use path on Bunts and look forward to being able to safely bike down this street, the north-south connection will be wonderful for everyone who bikes or walks for errands, commuting, or just enjoying being outside.
Petition signatures in opposition of the shared-used path on Bunts now total more than 950 concerned citizens, taxpayers, and voters.
This includes at least 100 households on Bunts, significant support from those who own homes on Bunts, people from across Lakewood, and those who use Bunts frequently. It’s not a small group.
Their reasons are many, but chief among them is safety. Putting people of all ages and abilities on a path with fast-moving, wheeled modes of transportation is dangerous and irresponsible.
Bunts Road residents have presented a significant amount of evidence proving just that. Everything we have presented has been backed by facts and we have provided the links to where those facts were found.
We are not asking to remove the shared-used path from the Bunts Rehabilitation plan just because we don’t like it. A shared-use path on Bunts is unsafe. That is backed by many facts and life experience on Bunts. Further, removal of mature trees is bad for the city overall, a sentiment supported by facts.
The city’s Active Transportation Plan also notes that people can already ride their bikes on existing sidewalks. So, what problem is the city solving by spending money on a shared-use path and putting people in harm’s way? Fact: ODOT recommends that shared-use paths should not be on streets with many driveways. There are 116 driveways and entrances/exits on Bunts.
It’s wasteful and irresponsible to build the path. The city should consider the alternatives it has been given.
The right path forward for Lakewood is one that is safe for all, is responsible, and has the backing of those who are most impacted.
Responsible Active Transportation is imperative for a city as densely populated as Lakewood.
We have heard a lot lately about how the Active Transportation Plan is guiding the city. But, is it really? Let's take a closer look at what's in the ATP.
• P. 9: Safety analyses and review of bicycle and pedestrian crash data showed high concentrations of bicycle and pedestrian crashes on Detroit, Madison, W. 117th (not Bunts)
• P. 10: A prioritization process that included input from the community identified projects that should be implemented in the short term. Top projects included: » Buffered bike lane on Franklin Avenue, » Separated bike facilities on West Clifton Boulevard, and » A network of bike boulevards on residential roadways including Cohassett, Cove, Ridgewood, and Delaware. Not Bunts.
• P. 18: The priority destinations that Lakewood residents would like to visit by foot or bike include: » Commercial and retail destinations along Detroit & Madison, » Madison Library, » Scenic Park Metroparks, » Lakewood Park, and » Rocky River Reservation (Nothing along Bunts)
• P. 31: In Lakewood, it is legal for both children and adults to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk. So why does Bunts need a multi-modal or shared-use path?
• P. 38: Bunts is not an identified area of high need/demand.
• P. 43: Crash data says most bicycle crashes are on east/west streets
• P. 46: highest stress roads for bicyclists: Bunts not listed among them as LTS4. Shared use is only recommended for LTS4.
• P. 47: Bunts identified as higher/highest level of traffic stress. Why make it more stressful with this path?
Knowing all of this and approving the plan just last year, why was Bunts chosen for a shared-use path? The city’s own facts and research do not even support the path. The following alternatives would follow the city’s own ATP.
Suggested North/South alternatives:
• Ridgewood/Cove
• Halstead/Cohassett/Thoreau
• W. 117th
• Belle
• Riverside Dr/West Clifton
I am writing to express my strong support for all things active transportation, including the bunts multi use path and the complete streets ordinance. Both of these are needed YESTERDAY. People that oppose these issues are self-identified NIMBYs. They claim to support safety and bicycling infrastructure, just not where they live. They have had as much opportunity as anyone else to provide feedback and yet the public feedback was overwhelmingly in support of the bunts road project as it is with the complete streets ordinance. These are people that drive their cars daily, using a highway that destroyed hundreds of homes in Lakewood, Cleveland, and other surrounding communities -- at least 160 in Lakewood alone --during its construction, pushing all of the negative externalities of car centric design onto other people. Projects that promote active transportation cause no negative externalities for the surrounding neighborhoods. The areas are quieter, have cleaner air and water, smoother flowing traffic and higher property values.
All these people have done is spread misinformation. We have all heard it. The street will not be narrower. Traffic will not be closer to homes. It is not more dangerous to have cyclists, pedestrians, and mobility devices users separated from car traffic. A projected 111 trees will be removed out of over 240 and that will happen with or without the path. The only danger on this street today and in the future comes from careless, inattentive, or disrespectful drivers. This is a decision on equitable access to our streets, regardless of how a person chooses to move through the city, whether by bus, car, bike, on foot, or using an assistive device. Please wrap this up as soon as possible so we can move on with our lives.
I strongly support the proposed multi-use path on Bunts Road. This project addresses critical infrastructure needs by creating:
A protected path for cyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized users
A north-south corridor for safe active transportation
A safer route for high school students on a heavily trafficked road
I'd like to address some concerns raised by opponents:
Regarding trees: The city has committed to replacing any trees removed during the necessary infrastructure work. This project coordinates with already-planned street and pipe repairs, making it fiscally responsible.
Regarding design: Some opponents incorrectly claim the path will be on both sides of the street. My understanding is it's a single multi-use path, efficiently using space while providing needed safety benefits.
Regarding convenience: While drivers may need a brief adjustment period to check for path users, this minor inconvenience is far outweighed by the significant safety benefits for cyclists and pedestrians. Our streets should serve everyone, not just those in cars.
Lakewood prides itself on being a walkable, progressive community. This project aligns perfectly with our values and sustainability goals. Many of us chose to live here specifically because of these qualities. The Bunts Road path is an important investment in infrastructure that serves residents of all ages and transportation modes.
Given that this project has already been approved after thorough planning, I urge you to move forward with implementation as scheduled. Please don't allow a vocal minority to derail this important project at such a late stage. The broader community stands to benefit significantly from making Lakewood safer and more accessible for everyone.
I support the Bunts multi-use path.
I live on Detroit very close to Bunts and regularly bike this area. A bike path would make me feel much safer riding my bike. A previous comment stated bike paths belong near parks or bodies of water, and I use Bunts to access the bike path on Lake Road.
I oppose the Bunts Road multi use path. It is not the right spot in Lakewood to have a multi used path. Multi use paths belong in the metro parks, near a body of water, or any other type of park setting and Bunts Road is no park or visually interesting like a body of water. Tthere are too many intersections and driveways and it will be hazardous for our bikers and walkers.
What makes you think people from the east or west side of Lakewood will travel to Bunts Road specifically to use a 1 mile path that goes to nowhere interesting. It doesn’t make sense. There is no destination for them. I could understand if it went straight to Lakewood Park or the metro park, but it doesn’t.
If you are looking to build “complete streets“, I’m all for it! Go ahead and take some of the tree lawn to widen Bunts Road to include bike lanes as you have done on Detroit and Madison. This makes sense and it keeps the walkers on the sidewalk .
Please think of what you’re doing to our neighborhood landscape. Keeping our historical neighborhood sidewalks are important for our “walkable city,” which received this title without a multi use path. One side of the street should not differ from the other side. Those traveling on wheels, like cars and bikes need to be in the street in their designated lane and not be combined with walkers.
Please rethink how we can support complete streets for our bikers and keep our sidewalks for our walkable city. Thank you for allowing me to comment.
Vera Perez
A 36 year resident