Cincinnatians just love to joke about that old, clichéd quip often attributed to Mark Twain: “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it’s always 20 years behind the times.” The colloquialism is used to exemplify anything considered remotely backward, from legislation to fashion to potholes. Signs of life, though, are sprouting up around the city like a canary dandelion through a crack in the cement.  

Just as it looked like the project might be delayed for up to two years, plans to create a bike lane along Riverside Drive have gained new support. Last week a Cincinnati City Council meeting ended with every member present in agreement that the project should move forward despite objections from the city’s Department of Transportation and Engineering.    

Cincinnati’s Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) is indefinitely postponing a Riverside Drive bike lane project due to concerns over construction on I-471 diverting traffic to Riverside Drive. The delay could range from a year to two years. UPDATE: This article has been updated due to City Council's March 29 show of support for constructing the bike lanes despite DOTE's recommendation.