Bluffton council reversed course on Monday and voted 6-0 by emergency to approve Bluffton being on the U.S. and State Bike Route network.

This means that Bike Route 25 between Lima and Findlay will pass down Bluffton’s Main Street.

The program is part of an Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) long-range plan, Access Ohio 2040. It’s a coordinated effort with local jurisdictions like Bluffton to get the bike route network in place.

According to Beth Clark, of ODOT, who presented the plan to Bluffton council members on Jan. 9, the network is similar to the interstate and state route system of highways.

On Jan. 9 council voted 3-3 on approving the bike route with members Roger Warren, Richard Johnson and Ralph Miller voting no and Sean Burrell, Phill Talavinia and Joe Sehlhorst voting in favor.

Council members who voted no on Jan. 9 individually stated that after talking with the public they changed their minds on the legislation and voted in favor of it on Jan. 23.

Click here for background on the bike route plan.