Cleveland is slightly above average when it comes to biking infrastructure — but that could change in the coming years.

Why it matters: The city and region have invested heavily in transportation alternatives like biking, but it hasn't fully paid off yet, according to a new report.

Pedaling the news: Each year, nonprofit PeopleForBikes rates thousands of U.S. cities in its Best Places to Bike rankings.

How it works: Cities are scored on a scale of 0-100 based on "low-stress" access to residential areas, jobs and schools, basic needs, recreation, shopping and major transit hubs.

Zoom in: Cleveland earned a score of 40, up from 37 last year and in the 68th percentile nationally.

• The city scored well for accessibility to major shopping centers and parks, but earned low marks for access to major transit hubs, grocery stores and hospitals.

Zoom out: Cleveland ranked No. 37 out of 87 ranked cities in Ohio.

• Several other Northeast Ohio cities fared better, with Oberlin (No. 2), Lorain (5), Shaker Heights (11), Stow (15), Willoughby (17), Cuyahoga Falls (18) and Avon Lake (19) placing in the state's top 20.

Yes, but: As a whole, Ohio cities are lacking — none scored an 80 or higher, which PeopleForBikes considers a "high" rating.

• Our best is the small city of St. Mary's near the Indiana border, No. 31 in the country.
• Just five Ohio cities are ranked in the top 300.

The big picture: Nationwide, people want to bike more, and communities are beginning to listen.

• Cleveland has multiple initiatives aimed at improving bike infrastructure, such as Cleveland Moves, a plan to build 50 miles of "high comfort" bike ways in three years, and downtown's nearly $25 million Superior Midway bike lane project.
• Suburbs like Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights and Lakewood also have major, bike-friendly projects in the works.

RTA could make significant service cuts as early as December without an infusion of new revenue.

Why it matters: The transit agency is staring off the edge of a fiscal cliff that that could force incremental service reductions through 2029, making buses and trains less frequent.

Driving the news: RTA board members are weighing whether to ask Cuyahoga County voters for the first sales tax increase in the agency's history.

• The current 1% countywide tax was approved in 1975 and still provides the lion's share of RTA's funding.

By the numbers: Without new revenue, RTA says it must reduce expenses by $30 million from 2027-2029.

• That will mean cutting about 10 of its 41 active bus routes and reducing frequency on more than two dozen others while shrinking paratransit coverage.
• More than 800,000 residents would live within half a mile of the proposed reductions.

Zoom in: Potential December cuts could include frequency reductions on a number of routes and the loss of one or two.

What's next: RTA is scheduled to continue discussing its fiscal strategy this month before deciding whether to go to the ballot in November.

⚖️ A new court filing by The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com in a libel case brought by Dennis Kucinich outlines the links between the former Cleveland mayor and FirstEnergy.

• "...not only did [Kucinich] receive substantial contributions from Tony George, one of FirstEnergy's staunchest supporters, but he also tried to leverage his relationship with Mr. George into personal financial gain in partnership with FirstEnergy on multiple fronts," the filing reads. (Cleveland.com)

👀 Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb attended a summit in Detroit last week about technology and manufacturing and appeared to be the only elected official outside the Trump administration scheduled to speak (Upbeat Nonsense)

🤖 CMSD has developed new rules to govern how teachers, students and staff should use AI. (Signal Cleveland)

👮🏻‍♂️ Northeast Ohio police officers are lobbying in favor of a Cuyahoga County charter amendment that would make the sheriff an elected position. (Ideastream)

👋 Sam here. The weirdest place I ate this week was the new Proof Public House in Ohio City.

State of play: Melt's Matt Fish has emerged to reopen the former Proof BBQ on Lorain as an upscale restaurant masquerading as a punk-themed bar.

• I intended to check it out last week after seeing an evening showing of "Disclosure Day" at the Capitol.
• My wife and I ventured over at about 9:30pm, hoping to grab a nightcap with a pal and catch some of the World Cup — only to discover it closed at 9pm.

💭 My thought bubble: What's more disappointing, I wondered: A new Ohio City bar closing daily at 9pm, or offering a menu of frou-frou apps, salads and handhelds without a single beer on draft under $8.50?

Reality check: It's not a bar.

• It's a nice restaurant. And it should be approached as such.

👍 What I liked: The patio out back remains a leafy oasis, with a plant wall and spangled bistro lights that make for a lovely summer atmosphere.

• I could not have asked for a better crisp-level on my fries.

👎 What I didn't: The price point. My chicken sandwich ($16), fries ($5) and single beer ($9) left me feeling pulverized.

• Yes, but: The original cocktails ($10-16) seem like a good deal for the mixed drink crowd!

The bottom line: High-quality culinary destination with a veg-friendly menu on an evolving commercial strip, but hardly a "public house."

Mötley Crüe's 2019 biopic "The Dirt" is coming to the big screen.

Driving the news: The film, initially released on Netflix, will screen at theaters across the country on Saturday.

• Screenings include a bonus showing of Mötley Crüe's 1986 documentary "Uncensored" and a pre-taped Q&A session with the band.

If you go: There's just one screening locally at 7pm at Regal Crocker Park.

The intrigue: "The Dirt" notably features a standout performance by Cleveland's Machine Gun Kelly (real name Colson Baker) as drummer Tommy Lee.

• The film generated a slight resurgence for Mötley Crüe, something the band is surely hoping for again.

What's next: The theatrical release comes less than a month before the band kicks off its summer tour, which stops at Blossom Music Center on Aug. 24.