People riding their bikes in Northern Kentucky’s urban core have another oasis to add to their list of must-stop spots, as community leaders came together Thursday morning to dedicate the new “Go with Glo Corner” at the intersection of Third and Greenup streets. Just a few short blocks from the Roebling Suspension Bridge and the Riverfront Commons Trail, the installation includes new bike-, pedestrian- and transit-wayfinding maps and a shiny, new bike repair station, among other beautifully decorative features.

“Stations like these aren’t just a convenience for experienced riders,” said Tri-State Trails Executive Director Wade Johnston. “These types of amenities often provide that last bit of encouragement folks need to feel comfortable and confident traversing city streets by bicycle.”

Bikes have been a perennial fixture at this corner of Covington’s Historic Licking Riverside district, where one of Northern Kentucky’s first-ever Red Bike stations sits outside Roebling Books & Coffee, which itself is a hallmark destination for local urban biking and hiking meetups. The shop spearheaded the project, and commissioned Tri-State Trails to design the wayfinding maps.

The “Go with Glo” moniker dedicates the installation to the memory of beloved Roebling Books & Coffee employee and well-known cyclist Gloria San Miguel, who tragically died in 2022 after a driver struck her while she was riding her bicycle across the 11th Street Bridge between Newport and Covington. 

“We’re awfully glad to finally be at this point,” said Richard Hunt, owner of Roebling Books & Coffee, at Thursday’s dedication ceremony. Hunt went on to describe his hopes that the corner becomes a space where people can enjoy the sense of community that Gloria valued so dearly.

“‘Go with Glo’ is a line that works on many levels. From this point forward, this is sacred space,” Hunt said.

Thursday’s dedication took place on what would have been San Miguel’s 34th birthday.

Her death catalyzed both cities to re-examine their bike transportation facilities, and in 2023 both governments entered an agreement to develop a joint Bike Transportation Plan. The cities’ commissioned Tri-State Trails to develop a plan proposal containing an analysis of existing road conditions for bicyclists and recommendations for enhancing the two neighboring cities’ bike transportation infrastructure.

That proposal – a draft of which is available to read here – was currently under review by both cities’ boards of commissioners as of this publication.

Other partners making Go with Glo Corner possible include the City of Covington, MeetNKY, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, ReNewport, Lil’s Kitchen, Spotted Yeti Media, Wild Gardens by Gertrude, Durham Brands and local artist Hanna Smith (book-bench design).