Walkability in Lakewood#

Lakewood is the most walkable city in Ohio with a Walk Score of 70 — nearly double the state average of 34. The city’s pre-automobile urban form, dense housing, and commercial corridors within walking distance of every neighborhood make walking a viable mode of transportation, not just recreation.

Current State#

Lakewood has over 180 miles of sidewalks serving 90 miles of streets across 5.53 square miles. An estimated 77% of residents commute by car, while approximately 10% walk or use public transit — a high non-car mode share for a Midwestern suburb.

The city’s walkability stems from its physical form:

• Narrow lots and dense housing — 9,400 residents per square mile, the highest density in Ohio
• Mixed-use corridors — Detroit and Madison Avenues provide retail, dining, and services within walking distance of most neighborhoods
• Grid street pattern — The streetcar-era grid provides direct, connected routes
• No school buses — Lakewood has never operated school buses because every student lives close enough to walk
• Neighborhood parks — Most residents live within a five-minute walk of a park

History#

1893–1916: Streetcar Development#

Lakewood’s walkable form was established during the streetcar era. The Detroit Avenue line opened in 1893, Clifton Boulevard in 1903, and Madison Avenue in 1916. Neighborhoods and commercial districts grew along these lines, creating a compact, walkable city.

1910–1930: Rapid Build-Out#

Lakewood’s population grew by 55,328 between 1910 and 1930 as the city was almost entirely built out with streetcar-era housing. The 2.5-story homes on narrow lots with front porches and rear garages established the pedestrian-oriented character that persists today.

2012: Community Vision#

The Community Vision established mobility as one of six focus areas, recognizing walkability as central to Lakewood’s identity and quality of life.

2024: Active Transportation Strategic Plan#

Council adopted the Active Transportation and Safety Action Plans in April 2024 after 18 months of planning. The plan identified a High-Risk Network of roads with the highest pedestrian and bicycle crash risk.

2025: Complete Streets Ordinance#

The Complete Streets ordinance was introduced to require multimodal consideration in every transportation project. The city earmarked $3 million in its 2025 budget for street improvements, traffic signals, and sidewalks.

Pedestrian Safety#

Crash data from the Active Transportation plan show high concentrations of pedestrian crashes along:

• Detroit Avenue — The primary commercial corridor
• Madison Avenue — The secondary commercial corridor
• 117th Street — A major north-south connector
• Clifton Boulevard — A wide arterial along the northern edge
• Hilliard Road and Franklin Avenue — Additional high-risk corridors

The High-Risk Network for Walking and Biking map uses historical data and a statistical model based on roadway characteristics to identify where future crashes are most likely.

Advocacy Organizations#

• Bike Lakewood — Resident-led advocacy for people who walk and bike in Lakewood. A chapter of Bike Cleveland.
• LakewoodAlive — Community development corporation that supports walkable neighborhoods through housing outreach and community events.

Key Statistics#

Related Resources#

• Transportation Glossary
• Bike Network Guide
• Public Transit Guide
• Lakewood Mobility - City Website
• Lakewood Active Living

Last updated: February 2026