Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Streetsblog

Cleveland: Building Public Support With Pop-up Cycling Infrastructure

Decisions about cycling infrastructure don't really come down to money, or technical knowhow, or even the availability of street space. Ultimately, if you establish community consent and political will to make streets safe for cycling, the rest will follow.

Here's an interesting method to build the needed support: pop-up cycling infrastructure. This exercise in tactical urbanism was recently undertaken by a group of graduate students in Cleveland, Ohio. For one week, a downtown street was converted to a two-way cycle track -- the first ever on Cleveland streets.

Cleveland is especially ready for pop-up cycling infrastructure. The city recently adopted a complete streets ordinance, and what better illustration for city staff, as well as the general public, than a live demonstration of the desired outcome. Network blog Bike Lane Living shared the above video, as well as this account from the Kent State University Cleveland Urban Design Center, which led the project, about the lessons that came out of the one-week experiment:

Going beyond two-dimensional drawings used in typical public meetings, Pop Up Rockwell allows people to physically experience a future vision of the city in three dimensions, in a real environment, and provide feedback before large financial and political investments are made.

The project is led by graduate students at Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, but involves partnership with several stakeholder groups representing advocacy organizations, non-profits, municipal government, federal agencies and local businesses. The temporary installations include Cleveland’s first cycle track, storm water bio-filtration benches, enhanced transit waiting areas and wind animated public art. Lessons learned from the short-term project may influence permanent changes, which support the City of Cleveland’s Complete & Green Streets Ordinance.

Those involved with the project say many of the surrounding businesses are now advocating for the cycle track to be made a permanent part of the streetscape.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Extraordinary Observations points out that gas really isn't that expensive, compared with some of the other major costs of car ownership. Reno Rambler shares the inventive way (public shaming) a Russian organization is targeting people who park illegally in bike lanes and on sidewalks. And the Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition ponders its home state's 39th-place finish in the League of American Bicyclists' bike-friendly state rankings.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The Explainer: What To Know About The MTA’s New Congestion Pricing-Backed Debt

You asked for it, you got it: a 2,000-word explainer on municipal bond sales.

February 5, 2025

Wind in their Sales: Congestion Pricing is No ‘Toll’ on the Broadway Box Office

Despite doom prognostications, congestion pricing has not hurt Broadway's bottom line a bit — and, in fact, may be boasting it.

February 5, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Tin Cup Edition

Road safety wasn't on the agenda for Mayor Adams in Albany on Tuesday. Plus more news.

February 5, 2025

Kirsten Gillibrand Trots Out Bogus FDNY ‘Toxins’ in Quest to Weaken Congestion Pricing

Gillibrand's solution to potential toxins in the subway is more automobile toxins in the air.

February 4, 2025

Memo to Mayor Adams: Reliable Buses Start with You

Congestion pricing’s success and legacy depends on improving bus service. Mayor Adams must act.

February 4, 2025
See all posts