When Columbus adopted its Bikeways Plan in 2008, many central Ohioans had never heard of "sharrow" pavement markings, let alone envisioned architecturally sleek bike shelters or bicycle-rentals stationed around town. Today, there are sharrows on nearly 27 miles of roadway, 18 covered shelters and about 300 CoGo bikes available to borrow for a spin.

When Columbus adopted its Bikeways Plan in 2008, many central Ohioans had never heard of "sharrow" pavement markings, let alone envisioned architecturally sleek bike shelters or bicycle-rentals stationed around town.

Today, there are sharrows on nearly 27 miles of roadway, 18 covered shelters and about 300 CoGo bikes available to borrow for a spin.

A little planning went a long way. And though Columbus has become much more bicycle-friendly, it's time to update and improve that earlier guide.

Columbus is surveying residents for ideas on how to make streets safer for everyone - bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians - as it considers the latest and best ways to design roadways, educate residents and promote peddling.

Responses will shape city priorities and spending. More than 950 people so far have taken the survey, including representatives of bicycling groups and civic associations.

To participate, go online to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CbusTransportation, or phone 614-221-2885, ext. 22, for a paper copy.

The survey ends on April 23.

This is an ambitious undertaking. The 2008 plan called for more trails and more respectful car-bicycle relationships.

The city got the trails, but people are still working on sharing the roadway and being courteous. Bicyclists are still suffering serious injuries and death because of impaired or inattentive drivers, and drivers are still seeing dangerous moves by bicyclists who flout traffic laws.

Some of these dangers and frustrations can be designed away; that's where the updated Bikeways Plan comes in.

"Input from bicyclists, motorists and others through the survey will help us make future bikeways projects safer for cyclists and motorists," Mayor Michael B. Coleman said.

The city this year plans to invest $5.6 million in bicycling facilities, including 50 additional bike racks, 3.1 miles of new pavement markings and nearly 8 miles of new bike lanes, trails and multiple-use paths.

This is a good investment in this community's health. Bicycling is a good way to get exercise, reduce pollution and ease traffic congestion. But it's also important to Columbus' economic health: Bike-friendly communities are better able to attract and retain young professionals, who want to live in vibrant neighborhoods that are easy to get around without having to search out scarce parking spots.

Accommodating bike riding also means that visitors can rent a bike to visit the city's sights, events and restaurants.

Since 2008, Columbus has added 13 miles of bike trails. But more important, the old Bikeways Plan helped this community build an affinity and respect for bicycling.

Coleman, an avid rider and Downtown resident, wants Columbus to become "Bike City USA." But there is a lot of work to do to become a bicyclist's utopia. Painting sharrows and building bike racks is the simple part.

Retrofitting crowded roads to give bicyclists a sense of safety isn't. Until more people feel comfortable biking in traffic, they'll drive.

And the roads will continue be clogged.

The new survey is a good way for the city to assess what amenities bikers and drivers want.