where are the liberal, family friendly suburbs? (Cleveland, Lakewood: public school, university)

[ship4u]

Originally Posted by ferraris

I'm a former bike commuter and I haven't even bothered to buy a bike since moving here. I wouldn't even attempt cycling on most of Chagrin, Warrensville Center, Lee, Woodland, or Fairmount. I might give Van Aken Blvd or Shaker Blvd a stab, but I think the average adult bike rider would be uncomfortable on these roads too.

My wife and I ride our bikes regularly throughout the neighborhood for enjoyment and exercise. The streets are flat and safe to ride. We avoid the very busy roads, such as Lee and Chagrin, so I agree with you on that point. But, overall, there are a lot of beautiful places to ride, IMHO.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by ship4u

My wife and I ride our bikes regularly throughout the neighborhood for enjoyment and exercise. The streets are flat and safe to ride. We avoid the very busy roads, such as Lee and Chagrin, so I agree with you on that point. But, overall, there are a lot of beautiful places to ride, IMHO.

It's fine for recreational riding around the neighborhood, but that's pretty typical in the US.

I like the East Side and the Heights overall, but bike infrastructure isn't one of its stand-out features. I make a lot of short drives that would not be easy to replicate on a bike, even though they are short enough and flat enough to do so in theory.

[dr_j_planning]

Originally Posted by ferraris

It's fine for recreational riding around the neighborhood, but that's pretty typical in the US.

I like the East Side and the Heights overall, but bike infrastructure isn't one of its stand-out features. I make a lot of short drives that would not be easy to replicate on a bike, even though they are short enough and flat enough to do so in theory.

I ride my bicycle for utilitarian purposes all over the Heights. No destination is inaccessible via bicycle. Some of my common routes:

DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND (COMMUTE): Farnsleigh to Van Aken to Parkland to Fernway to Warrington to Coventry to South Park to Fairhill to Stokes (sidewalk) to Euclid (bike lane) to East 13th Street.

SHAKERTOWNE CENTRE (Heinen's, CVS, Shaker Hardware, Library): Farnsleigh to Van Aken to Lynnfield to Winslow

SHAKER SQUARE/LARCHMERE: Farnsleigh to Van Aken to Parkland to South Park to Shaker to West Park to Larchmere

CEDAR-FAIRMOUNT (Barrio, The Fairmount, Parnell's, Aladdin's): Farnsleigh to Warrensville Center (sidewalk) to Marchmont to Montgomery to Courtland to Shelburne to Fairmount to Cedar

COVENTRY VILLAGE (Tommy's, Avalon, Bop Stop): Farnsleigh to Warrensville Center (sidewalk) to Marchmont to Montgomery to Courtland to Shelburne to Fairmount to Coventry

LEE ROAD (Dobama Theatre, Sweet Fix, Tav Co, Wine Spot): Farnsleigh to Warrensville Center (sidewalk) to Marchmont to Montgomery to Courtland to Shelburne to Fairmount to Lee

FAIRMOUNT-TAYLOR (Gigi's, On the Rise): Farnsleigh to Warrensville Center (sidewalk) to Marchmont to Montgomery to Courtland to Courtland Oval to Fairmount

CEDAR CENTER (Whole Foods, O'Riellys): Farnsleigh to Warrensville Center (sidewalk) to Marchmont to Montgomery to Courtland to Courtland Oval to Traymore to Fenwick

Happy to answer questions or advise on other routes as well...

DR J

[ferraris]

Dr. J, I think we have different definitions of what constitutes "bicycle friendly". Carefully pre-planned routes, a near necessity with the Heights' odd street "grid", that are nearly 100% shared with cars, and include switching to the sidewalk don't meet that definition for me. Those sorts of routes are achievable in many neighborhoods and suburbs.

We also seem to frequent different destinations. I wouldn't be stoked to bike to most of Beachwood (where a lot of Shaker residents work and shop), Woodmere, North Randall, Warrensville Heights, University Heights, South Euclid, Pinecrest, Acacia Reservation, or South Chagrin Reservation.

ETA: I do appreciate you listing the routes you take though...it has me wanting to go purchase a bike now. But I know there's zero chance I could convince my wife to join on most of those routes, nor would I feel comfortable towing a child trailer on most of them.

[ship4u]

Originally Posted by ferraris

Dr. J, I think we have different definitions of what constitutes "bicycle friendly". .....Those sorts of routes are achievable in many neighborhoods and suburbs......
We also seem to frequent different destinations.

Sorry that Shaker Heights doesn't match up to biking pleasure that you had elsewhere, but to poo-poo it is not warranted, IMHO. There's a lot of fun and beautiful architecture to see whilst on a bike.

[bjimmy24]

In general, biking in the Heights really isn't bad. It's not so busy that it feels dangerous. I bike up there all the time, never really think twice about it. When I bike through some areas south of downtown though, that's really bad. I'd bike down Fairmount 10 times out 10 vs Broadway or E 55.

[ny789987]

You want to live in a “liberal” suburb, but don’t like high property taxes? You do know that “liberal” means high tax, don’t you?

[ship4u]

Originally Posted by ny789987

You want to live in a “liberal” suburb, but don’t like high property taxes? You do know that “liberal” means high tax, don’t you?

+1

You nailed it.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by ship4u

+1

You nailed it.

Not always. Look at Beachwood compared to most Greater Cleveland suburbs. What it does mean almost always is superior public schools and services, attributes to which many so-called "conservatives" pay only lip service. In my experience, many of these so-called "conservatives" do not have conservative values, especially regarding the environment.

[ohioaninsc]

Originally Posted by ny789987

You want to live in a “liberal” suburb, but don’t like high property taxes? You do know that “liberal” means high tax, don’t you?

Higher Taxes = Far better services