Transportation Mobility Committee Meeting: Bike Cleveland Crash Report Presentation - October 1, 2025

The Cleveland City Council Transportation and Mobility Committee met on October 1, 2025, at 10:00 AM to receive a presentation from Bike Cleveland on their annual bicyclist and pedestrian crash report. No legislation was considered. The meeting included discussion of crash data collection, public records access, video retention, infrastructure needs, and education. One member of the public provided testimony.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A member of the public, an honorary member of Bike Cleveland and a community advisory committee member at GCRTA, emphasized that everyone is a pedestrian first and that crash reports are essential for studying safety issues. He noted that bike lanes are often too narrow and lack protection, and that larger vehicles with blind spots pose risks. He urged that all crashes, regardless of prosecution, should be reported to improve safety.

Discussion Items

• Presentation by Bike Cleveland: Jenna Thomas (Advocacy Director) and Angela Trevisano presented the 2025 bicyclist and pedestrian crash report. They highlighted that less than 50% of 911 calls for such crashes receive an official OH1 state report, which is needed for insurance, legal action, and funding applications. They used a case study of a crash on Lakeside Avenue where video evidence corrected the initial fault finding, showing the pedestrian was in a crosswalk and the truck made an illegal left turn.
• Public Records and Video Retention: The presenters noted that the city deletes surveillance footage after 30 days, making it difficult to obtain video before records requests are fulfilled. They requested extending retention to 60-90 days. They also noted delays in receiving dispatch notes and OH1s, which sometimes cause them to miss the 30-day window.
• Data Disparities: The report incorporates 911 calls alongside OH1 reports, revealing that actual incidents are roughly double the number captured by state reports. This undercount may affect the city's competitiveness for safety funding.
• Council Questions and Comments:
  • Councilman (Chair) asked about the turnaround time for public records requests and how Bike Cleveland is notified of crashes. The presenters explained they use the city's police calls for service dataset (updated every 24 hours) to identify incidents.
  • Councilman Casey asked about the breakdown of fatal crashes (mostly pedestrians) and whether the report tracks fault. He raised concerns about bicyclists not obeying traffic laws and asked about enforcement and education. The presenters said they plan to track fault more closely in 2025 and noted that education is part of their mission, but separate infrastructure is key to safety.
  • Councilman Grey noted that bike lanes are sometimes not used by cyclists, who ride in the street instead, causing conflicts with drivers. The presenters agreed that predictable behavior is important and suggested that wider bike lanes or better signage could encourage use.
  • Councilman Bishop asked about citywide recommendations. The presenters confirmed they are included in the report, largely drawn from the Vision Zero Action Plan.
  • Councilman Moore thanked Bike Cleveland for the report and shared a personal story about a bike accident. He also noted that he is participating in the "Week Without Driving" challenge.
  • The Chair asked if officers could use camera footage to retroactively file OH1 reports when no victim or witness is present. The presenters said yes, and the Chair suggested exploring that possibility. The Chair also mentioned a potential Safety Town program for education, with east and west side locations.

Key Outcomes

• Bike Cleveland presented the 2025 crash report, which includes ward-level data and recommendations.
• Council members expressed appreciation for the report and committed to using it to prioritize street safety projects and funding.
• The Chair indicated he would follow up with Councilman Kwetzik on improving public records access and transparency for council.
• No formal votes were taken. The committee will continue to engage with Bike Cleveland on crash data, video retention policy, and potential safety education programs.