Lucinda Cave’s Story

I am Lucinda Cave, age 71. I initially enjoyed the freedom of biking in my small Iowa
town where I grew up, because it meant I could ride to school, the swimming pool, and
to a city park which was ‘way cooler’ than the city park that was closer to my house. But
college (in Cleveland), work, marriage, and children all got in the way of biking. Until
2008, when my daughter needed a car to get to work, more than I did. I gave her mine.
My practical husband mused, “ We haven’t budgeted for a car payment, so we have to
get by with our one truck. Maybe you can ride your bike to work.”
Also, at the same time, my husband was diagnosed with a myelo-proliferative disorder
(similar to leukemia) and he tired easily. It was clear who was going to ride the bike –
me. My first day of riding into work, I headed out on the same roads I usually drove –
Monticello Boulevard and Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights. I quickly learned there
are better roads and worse roads to bike on in Cleveland and Cleveland Heights. I
found Severance Circle, with a painted bike lane, Euclid Heights Boulevard with
‘sharerows’, and Edgehill Road with both. I felt safer biking on these roads, even
though just a coat of paint protected me from cars and trucks. Although helpful, I now
believe Cleveland and suburban streets need physical separation from cars and trucks
which could cause immense harm to a cyclist or pedestrian in any crash. Paint is not
enough protection.
As I biked in to work every day, I found it was a way to relax, settle, and focus on the
workday ahead. I contrasted that with work colleagues who would come storming into
the office, angry over traffic, or University Circle parking. Bike-commuting became a
must. Even in Cleveland’s famous winters, along with the city’s infamous potholes. My
husband and I only needed one vehicle.
At last, the inevitable happened, and my husband passed away. Bicycling took on a
new purpose. Somehow, cycling through the Metroparks, Shaker Lakes, or along the
Towpath, brought a certain peace, calm and acceptance. It was therapy. At that point I
began biking longer distances, and participated in charity rides. I challenged myself to
complete the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, 328 miles from Cleveland to Cincinnati. I have now
completed 10 Pan Ohios, in memory of my late husband. I have found beautiful trails in
Ohio, and all over the world. Last summer I biked through five countries in Europe
along the Danube. Biking is certainly a way to make intimate discoveries.
In all honesty, I began riding an e-bike two years ago. It makes it easier to keep up with
younger riders, and to climb hills – at my age. At the same time, e-bikes can introduce
active transportation to far more people, because they are much easier to ride. Which
is all the more reason to retro-fit our road infrastructure to make cycling safer for all
people. Especially in the parts of Cleveland where people may not own cars. I have
become active in Bike Cleveland for many reasons – to improve health and safety, to

reduce auto emissions, improve the environment, and so that more Clevelanders can
experience the joy and fun of getting around on two wheels – safely.