Your appearance on one of Bluffton’s nine pathways next week will be counted.

Don’t worry about it. It’s part of an annual “use count” of the Bluffton pathways, taking place from Monday through Sunday, May 10 to 16..

This is the 10th year for the annual May and September Bluffton Use pathway count.

Each year the study shows the use of the Bluffton paths has increased,” said Dick Ramseyer, president of the Bluffton Lions Foundation and chair of the Bluffton pathway board.

“This increase demonstrates that this investment in the community is valued by our residents and visitors as a safe, healthy, convenient and environmentally friendly way to travel throughout Bluffton.”

The Bluffton Lions Foundation and Bluffton Lions Club are responsible for developing the Bluffton pathway system in partnership with the village.

With additions of new paths along State Route 103 and Allen-Hancock County Road and others planned, the Bluffton pathway system is serving the entire community.

Bluffton’s pathway is one part of an intentional emphasis to make Bluffton an ideal bicycle friendly Ohio destination point.

Other significant pieces of the bike-friendly community include:
• a National Bicycle route to eventually pass through Bluffton
• Bicycle parking racks added to downtown to promote bicycle use
• Ride to Remember summer biking event in July
• Bicycle rodeo for youth conducted by Bluffton police and other local groups
• Bike Crazy retail bike shop on Main Street

Ramseyer said that next week’s Use pathway count includes 27 local volunteers. Pathway users will see those volunteers parked near various intersections in the village in two-hour shifts counting walkers, bikers jogs who used the pathway

The volunteers next week include:

Lion Patty Navin
Lion Don Hostetler
Gary Bishop
Dr. Jane Wood
Lion Dick McGarrity

Lion Andrew Rager
Fred Steiner
Lion Joe Sehlhorst
Lion Tom Edwards
Lion Ted Cunningham

Lion Jan Emmert
Lion Stephanie Larcom
Lion Corwin Croy
Lion Lowell Hostetler
Lion Jerry Szabo

Lion Dan Diller
Lion Ed Yeager
Lion Nicole Keuneke
Lion Jesse Blackburn

Lion John Rich
Lion Ron Lora
Lion Gary Graham
Lion Clair Winebar

Lion Mitch Kingsley
Lion Greg Denecker
Lion Bob Stahl
Lion Dick Ramseyer