Recent News & Events
Bike Commuting Website Launched
Bike Louisville has partnering with Bicycling for Louisville to bring you bike to work tips and show you the benefits of replacing your car with your bike for transportation. Check out the interactive cost-savings calculator and more by clicking here.
May 2008 Edition of Bicycling Magazine
The New Best Cities for Cycling
Louisville has been named the 2nd Most Improved city for bicycing in the United States by Bicycling Magazine, along with Washington D.C. and New York City! Click here to read the article.
"...faced with several challenges--traffic congestion, the need for downtown revitalization, his city's obesity problem -- Mayor Jerry Abramson saw the positive impact bikes could have when he visited bike-friendly Vail, Colorado. Back home, he called a citywide bike summit in February '05, and Louisville hasn't been the same since."
First 23 Miles of Louisville Loop Opened
Mayor Jerry Abramson recently dedicated the first 23 miles of the Louisville Loop, officially opening the connection between the Riverwalk at Shawnee Park and the Ohio River Levee Trail at Riverview Park. The 23 mile route takes riders from Eva Brandman Park on River Rd. to the Farnsley-Moremen Landing in southwestern Jefferson County.
For more information on the Loop including trail conditions, maps, and mileage information, visit the Louisville Loop homepage. Route information is also shown on the Louisville Metro Bikeways map.
Community Pedestrian Plan and Summit Project Launched
Mayor Jerry Abramson has announced that the city will host the Healthy Hometown Pedestrian Summit May 9-10, 2008, addressing issues that include neighborhood walkability, access to transit, safety and promotion of exercise. The summit is part of the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement, which encourages healthier lifestyle habits.
“In order to walk the walk, we first have to talk the talk,’” Abramson said. “Pedestrian issues are community issues because we are all pedestrians at some point. Our goal is to bring many voices together to improve our community’s pedestrian access and offer ideas for people who want to be on the move.”
Click here to visit the project website. To sign up for e-mail updates about the project, including announcement of dates for Community Meetings and the Pedestrian Summit itself, click here.
Shared-Lane Markings Coming to Louisville
Louisville has received permission from the Federal Highway Administration to experiment with the Shared-Lane Marking or "Sharrow." The sharrow is a pavement marking which goes in the righthand travel lane of the roadway, telling motorists and bicyclists that this lane (like every lane) is intended to be shared between the users.
The markings also have several other intentions, which include:
- encouraging cyclists to ride further towards the center of the lane and away from car doors
- encouraging cyclists to ride on the street, as opposed to the sidewalk, and in the same direction as traffic
- making motorists aware of cyclists' right to and presence in the lane
The markings will first be installed on the Clark Memorial Bridge, with other Metro roads seeing the markings in the coming months.
Bike Louisville Overview
Bike Louisville works to create a bicycling environment that is safe, efficient, and enjoyable for riders of all ages and levels of experience through the "Five E's:"
This website serves as a clearinghouse for bicycling maps, education, programs, events, organizations, clubs, shops, and infrastructure.
In addition to planning efforts related to the Five E's, Bike Louisville serves as an access point for input from the cycling community and the general public.
Rules of the Road
- Bicycles are considered vehicles like any other.
- Bikes must use the roadway, even if there is no bike lane. It's illegal and dangerous to ride on the sidewalk.
- Bikes must follow all traffic laws, just like cars.
- Motorists must respect the rights of cyclists and Share the Road with them.
- Cars must give bikes at least three feet of room when passing.
- Cars must yield to bikes when making right turns.
- Click Here to see all the laws governing cycling in Louisville.
Why Bicycle?
- Utilitarian trips reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality
- Cycling for work or pleasure improves public health
- Riding to work increases productivity and morale of employees
- Cycling eliminates the cost of fuel, parking, and automobile maintenance
For more information contact us.
Dirk Gowin
Transportation Planning Administrator
(502) 574-5925