Mindy Kuth’s Story

Since moving to the Larchmere-Buckeye neighborhood in 2021, Mindy has embraced
cycling as a way to connect with her community and navigate the city. Her decision to
live in Larchmere-Buckeye was influenced by its accessibility to libraries, coffee shops,
grocery stores, and the Doan Brook Gorge and Ambler Park, all within a short bike ride.

“Cycling allows me to move through my neighborhood and feel connected to the people
in it”, Mindy shared. “And it’s an efficient and healthy way to travel while avoiding the
costs and environmental impacts of driving.”

Mindy’s love for cycling started young, with her bike serving as her gateway to
adventure and freedom during her childhood. Her commitment to cycling deepened as
an adult when she rediscovered its joys. “I was going through a transitional time in my
life, and I remembered how much I loved biking, so I got a mountain bike and then set a
goal to ride in the National MS Society’s Bike MS fundraiser. It was the perfect mix of a
physical challenge, advocacy, and an opportunity to meet new people.”

In the early 2000s, Mindy discovered that legal mountain biking opportunities on natural-
surface trails in the Cleveland-area were limited. She began researching the barriers to
access, including environmental concerns, perceptions around trail-user conflicts, and
park management policies. Working with like-minded advocates to create sustainable
trails for mountain biking, she became a founding member of the Cleveland Area
Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA). “It was about more than just biking—it was about
supporting sustainable trails in our parks, cooperation among different trail user groups,
and building a broad network to find solutions that worked for everyone.” Today, there
are over 100 miles of interconnected natural-surface trails in Northeast Ohio open to
mountain bikes.

Mindy appreciates how Bike Cleveland’s advocacy has contributed to a growing cycling
culture in the city. As a proud member of Bike Cleveland, Mindy is inspired by the
organization’s work to promote safer streets and inclusive cycling opportunities. “I’ve
seen a lot of change in Cleveland—more people riding bikes for transportation,
recreation and health benefits, more diversity among riders, and growing recognition
from local governments of the importance of safety, comfort, and bike accessibility in our
streets and communities. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come and where we are
headed.”