Grandview forms Committee to create Bikeway Plan

The Grandview Heights Bikeway Committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 1016 Grandview Avenue.

Grandview Mayor Ray DeGraw is leading the effort to develop a bikeway plan. The Mayor has invited any resident with questions or comments about bikeways or who would like to volunteer to work on the Bikeway Committee to call him a the Municipal Building at 488-3159.

Everyone knows that Grandview welcomed the Global Living Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic (formerly known as the Wendy's International Cycling Classic) for three great days of cycling, running, and other activities on June 16, 17, and 18, 2005. Go to the Tour de Grandview website to check out all the events, sponsors, and festivities. Before the Tour de Grandview a group of Grandview residents, led by David Pritchard (who works at Burgess & Niple, the local planning and architecture firm), created a conceptual bikeway plan, which was passed out to everyone during the Tour de Grandview to generate interest and feedback about bikeways in Grandview.

After the Tour de Grandview Mayor DeGraw announced the formation of the Bikeway Committee. In the July 21st edition of ThisWeek for Grandview the Mayor said:

"Bike riding is very strong in Grandview," he said. "The support for the (Tour de Grandview) bike race is an extension of the number of people in our community who enjoy riding bikes.

"It's a really neat community to cycle around," DeGraw said. "You look around the community and see so many families, parents with their children, out riding bicycles together."

People enjoy riding bikes in Grandview not only because of the health benefits and the beauty of the community, but the challenge provided by the city's layout, DeGraw said.

The city is interested in developing trails to increase the safety and enjoyment for those who pedal around the community, he said.

DeGraw said he would like to put together an ad-hoc community group to develop a bike trail proposal and look into the availability of state funds to help pay for the design and creation of local trails.

Mayor DeGraw added that Marble Cliff, which lies just to the west of Grandview (the Tour de Grandview was supported by the Grandview/Marble Cliff Chamber of Commerce), has expressed interest in participating in the bikeway planning process.

Every cyclist in Grandview is encouraged to attend the Bikeway Committee meeting Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers at 1016 Grandview Avenue (north of Goodale and south of First), to express their support for creating a Grandview bikeway plan, and to get involved with the Bikeway Committee.