Supporting sustainable transportation: OHIO receives League of American Bicyclists silver-level honors – Ohio University

Report on Cycling Infrastructure and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals in Athens County

Introduction: Advancing Sustainable Transport and Community Well-being

Athens County is leveraging its significant transportation network, which includes nearly 1,000 miles of roads, to promote sustainable development. A key element of this strategy is the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway, a paved trail over 22 miles long that serves as a primary artery for non-motorized transport, particularly for the Ohio University community.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The development and maintenance of cycling infrastructure in Athens County directly supports the goal of creating inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable communities. This is achieved through:

• Safe and Accessible Transport: The bikeway provides a safe and convenient means of transportation, connecting the Ohio University campus with the wider community and reducing reliance on automobiles.
• Strategic Infrastructure Investment: The construction of a new bridge on the bikeway, connecting to Chauncey and the Baileys Trail System, exemplifies infrastructure improvements that enhance cyclist safety and accessibility.
• Community Confidence: The official “bike friendly” designation and ongoing infrastructure projects are building community confidence, encouraging more residents to adopt cycling for transport and recreation.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

A multi-stakeholder partnership is fundamental to the success of the region’s cycling initiatives. The governance model, centered on the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Advisory Committee, demonstrates a robust collaboration essential for achieving sustainable goals.

1. Ohio University’s active membership on the Bikeway Committee establishes a direct connection to regional cycling advocates and stakeholders.
2. This committee formalizes the partnership between the key entities responsible for managing and developing the bikeway.
3. These connections ensure the bikeway remains a safe, convenient, and integrated part of the regional transportation system.

Key Partners Include:

• Ohio University
• Athens County
• The City of Athens
• Hocking College
• The City of Nelsonville

SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) & SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The promotion of a cycling culture yields significant co-benefits for public health and environmental protection.

• Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: By providing safe and extensive cycling routes like the bikeway and the Baileys Trail System, the community encourages physical activity, contributing directly to the health and well-being of its residents.
• Supporting Climate Action: Encouraging cycling as a primary mode of transportation is a direct action to reduce carbon emissions, contributing to efforts to combat climate change.

Future Outlook

The collaborative efforts in Athens County serve as a model for how targeted investment in active transportation infrastructure can advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Continued investment is expected to further enhance the safety and accessibility of cycling, solidifying Athens as a leader in sustainable community development.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article’s central theme is the development and maintenance of cycling infrastructure (the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway) within Athens County. This directly relates to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by promoting a safe and sustainable mode of transportation. The article highlights the bikeway as a “main artery for student cyclists” and a “safe and convenient means of transportation,” which are key components of a sustainable urban environment.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• By promoting a “bike-friendly” community and investing in safe cycling infrastructure, the initiatives described in the article encourage physical activity, which is crucial for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. The emphasis on making the bikeway a “safe” place to ride also indirectly connects to reducing injuries from traffic incidents.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article explicitly details a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve these goals. It mentions the “Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Advisory Committee,” which provides a “direct connection” between Ohio University, Athens County, the City of Athens, Hocking College, and the City of Nelsonville. This collaboration is a clear example of the partnerships needed to implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

   The article focuses on the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway as a “safe and convenient means of transportation.” The development of the bikeway, its 22-mile length, and the construction of a new bridge are concrete actions toward creating a sustainable transport system for the community, particularly for cyclists.

2. Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

   The bikeway is described not just as a transport route but as a community asset that people can “explore.” As a paved trail spanning over 22 miles, it functions as an accessible green and public space for recreation and transportation for students and the wider community, aligning with the goal of providing universal access to such spaces.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   The article identifies the “Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Advisory Committee” as the mechanism through which Ohio University is “officially connected to the entities who manage the bikeway.” This committee, comprising the university, county, and city governments, is a textbook example of the cross-sectoral partnerships that Target 17.17 aims to foster.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator (Implied for Target 11.2): Length and quality of dedicated cycling infrastructure.

   The article provides a specific metric: the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is “more than 22 miles long.” It also mentions infrastructure improvements like the “new bridge,” which serves as a qualitative indicator of the ongoing commitment to enhancing the transport system for cyclists.

2. Indicator (Implied for Target 11.2): Investment in cycling infrastructure.

   While no monetary value is given, the article implies this indicator through the mention of the “new bridge” and the expressed “hope… that it encourages continued investment in making Athens an even better, safer place to ride.” The existence of new projects and calls for future funding are measures of progress.

3. Indicator (Implied for Target 17.17): Existence and composition of multi-stakeholder partnerships.

   The article directly names the “Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Advisory Committee” and lists its members (Ohio University, Athens County, City of Athens, Hocking College, City of Nelsonville). The functioning of this committee is a clear indicator of an active partnership dedicated to a common sustainable development goal.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ohio.edu