LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Lima-Allen County Bike and Pedestrian Task Force wrapped up its year Wednesday night by shining a spotlight on the people driving its progress.
Larry and Ginny Cress were given a lifetime achievement award for their work with Wheelhouse — a Lima nonprofit that has provided more than 1,700 free bicycles to adults who rely on them to get to work. The Bluffton Bike and Pedestrian Pathways Board was also recognized after earning a spot as the fourth most bike-friendly community in Ohio and 35th in the nation. The task force says its mission is to promote safety and access to walking and biking across Allen County.
“We’ve done bike rodeos in town. We’ve provided helmets and safety gear for kids and adults at different events throughout the year, but then we’re also on the forefront of getting legislation and things passed in the city in terms of widening the streets, having safe sidewalks for folks to not only bike, but then walk on as well. So it’s kind of a full circle deal there,” said Chad Welker, associate director of Activate Allen County.
In 2026, the task force plans to partner with the city on walking and biking audits to identify unsafe sidewalks, narrow lanes and other problem areas. The group will also move its spring bike rodeo to Safety City for the first time.
