By By Okon Ekpeyong
On Monday, July 27, 2026, Columbus celebrated the official opening of its longest protected bike lane, North Street Protected Bike Lane which is part of its Columbus Bike Plus Plan.
The North Street Protected Bike Lane is a 2.2-mile stretch along Fourth North Street from Warren Street to Hudson Street, extending to neighborhoods like Short North, Italian Village, Weinland Park, and the University District, including Old North Columbus, to reduce crash-related deaths and potential injuries as the population of the city continues to grow.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Weinland Park, located near the intersection of 4th North Street and East 6th Avenue. Members of the city safety team rode their bikes through the ribbon, marking the culmination of this nearly two-year project.
Continuing to enhance bikeways and roadways throughout Columbus is part of the Columbus Bike Plus Plan (Vision Zero Columbus– Progress updates) initiative, which aims to reduce severe or fatal crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. In Shore North, the Ohio State area, across the city, and even downtown, it is a heavily business and school area, and it is where at least part of the 65% of severe or fatal crashes happen on 10% of Columbus Streets per the city data.
It also affects the state as a whole, which is why the Ohio Department of Transportation collaborated with the city on this project due to data indicating that a significant number of the state’s fatal crashes involve drivers under the age of 25. Additionally, at least 50% of fatal crashes within the city involve pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. The Protected Bike Lane Project cost approximately $2.1 million, nearly funded by the State Department of Public Transportation, and included improving roadways on East 5th Avenue between North High School and 5th Street.
Other improvements to this project include a new pavement surface, new bikeway pavement markings, roadway striping, signage, and adjustments to traffic signals as noted on the city website.
The bike lane initiative aims to enhance awareness of safe driving practices, and the Vision Zero Columbus team encourages the community to take a pledge and request a Vision Zero presentation to get involved.
According to the city’s Bike Plus Annual Report and the Bike Plus Vision Network, 18 projects were projected to be completed in 2025, covering a total of 15.9 miles of bike routes. Thirteen were completed, while 5 are still under construction. For the year 2026, the Bike Plus Vision Network indicates that 13 additional projects are either set to be completed this year or will begin. Several other projects are also planned to start or be completed in 2027. Meanwhile, additional bike routes are currently in design, planning, or have yet to begin.
“Tanya Young, President of Weinland Park Civil Association says that implementing this plan will encourage mobility for bike riders, and by installing bollards for separation create a space between riders and cars to avoid any potential hazards. This will provide a safer riding environment and likely encourage more people to bike in that space.”
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