Randy Knilans Bike Lane Dedication

08/30/2023 – Please join us on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Veterans' Memorial Park, 32756 Lake Road, Avon Lake, Ohio, as we dedicate Avon Lake's new bike lanes in memory of Randy Knilans.

On June 6, 2019, while doing his daily bike ride on Lake Road, Randy was struck and killed by a drunk driver. He was 66 years old. He left behind his wife Patty, children Becky and Brad, and several grandchildren. He also left behind a legacy of volunteerism and change that Avon Lake will never forget. Randy volunteered for Avon Lake’s Planning Commission. More than 25 years of service followed, including helping to update the zoning code twice and serving as Commission Chair.

Following Randy’s tragic death, Avon Lake's Public Safety and Health Committee immediately began looking for ways to improve road safety. With $3,099,700 in funding and in coordination with ODOT, Avon Lake completed improvements to Lake Road from the city lines of Bay Village to Sheffield Lake, including repaving, widening the bike lanes from four feet to five feet on the north and south sides of Lake Road, changing center lines to double lines in certain locations to prohibit passing, and striping center turn lines in warranted locations for public safety. The bike lanes have been aptly named for Randy, and signs will have a QR (quick response) code for visitors to scan providing a website link that will educate the public on Randy’s contributions, feature bike safety tips, and provide statistics on the hazards of drinking and driving.

In addition to the completed safety improvements, enhancements will continue to be made over the next several years. Avon Lake, in cooperation with ODOT, will be installing sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the entire length of Lake Road, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and enhanced Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons on Lake Road at Beach Park Towers and Avon Belden Road.