MORPC recently released their Bike Users Map for 2010, which only contains a few updates from last year. It provides an overlay of our road system that shows which roads are safer than others for bike commuters and provides a map of trails and bike paths as well.
You can view it here: http://www.morpc.org/bikemaps
Thanks for posting this. It’s good info to have. I do have one complaint though (there’s always a complaint right?).
Why do they use the same color (blue) for the regional trails as for side paths adjacent to streets in places like Dublin, Powell, New Albany, and Grove City? I just don’t consider these two types of facilities to be the same.
Trails – A regional trail is like a bike expressway. It’s the fastest, safest route available. There are very few, if any, cross streets.
Side Paths – A side path is basically a wider sidewalk. If these things were narrower, it would be illegal for adults to ride on them in most places. There is extreme risk for collisions with turning vehicles as you cross many side streets and driveways. If you don’t want to get hit at these locations, you have to slow down or stop, which reduces the average speed you can travel.
I’m not saying side paths are not useful. They are, and they should be on the map. But I don’t think it’s the same as the Olentangy Trail.