For our region to remain competitive in both attracting and retaining residents, we need to increase transportation options for people of all ages. Whether traveling by car, transit, walking, or biking, each type of travel needs to be safely integrated and connected to the places people need to reach.
We have recently seen two great examples of how Southeast Michigan is embracing walking and biking.
Roll Along the River
On May 1, the second annual Roll Along the River, a 20-mile recreational bike ride, began in downtown Wyandotte and continued up W. Jefferson Avenue along the Detroit River and through Ecorse, River Rouge, Detroit, and Lincoln Park. Events like this are fantastic community builders and excellent ways to highlight our region’s many assets.
A couple of SEMCOG staffers joined the ride and one even captured a little on-the-road video:
There really isn’t a better way to appreciate a city and its neighborhoods than on two wheels rolling slowly in solidarity with neighbors, friends, family, and even strangers, who after the first couple of miles can no longer be considered as such. There are bike tours and rides like the Roll Along the River happening across our region pretty much every weekend this spring, summer, and into the fall. Do yourself a favor and check one out!
Roll Along the River visits Belanger Park & Lighthouse in River Rouge
Bicycle and Pedestrian Workshop Series kicks off
SEMCOG hosted the first of five Bicycle and Pedestrian workshops geared towards educating the benefits of a robust and connected nonmotorized network. This first workshop focused primarily on understanding the importance of planning for increased infrastructure and facilities for walking and biking, available funding opportunities, and sharing best practices in implementing plans throughout the region.
The biggest takeaway from this workshop is that there is a lot going on and much to be proud of in getting more people walking and biking in our region! Here are a few examples from communities in the region:
- In Roseville, the city is working to redevelop Utica Junction (the area where Utica Road and Gratiot Avenue intersect) to create a lively destination “main street.” One way the city is achieving this vision is by planning for a walkable and bikeable corridor that – with wider sidewalks, safer crosswalks, bike lanes, landscaping, and on-street parking – provides options for all users.
Rendering of the future cross section of Utica Junction in Roseville
- Through adoption of its 2015 Non-Motorized Pathway Plan, Green Oak Charter Township has established a clear direction for implementing a township-wide system of pathways, trails, and greenways. This plan sets forth a number of objectives for regional connectivity and linkages between adjacent communities, with one of the most prominent being to extend the Lakelands Trail through the township.
Green Oak Township Pathway Plan map
- To understand the needs and concerns of residents regarding a citywide trail and pathway network, the City of Troy used several public engagement and participation formats. The city held two separate public forums and developed a web-based input portal that allowed residents to click on a proposed route and leave a comment or question. At the public forums, the city used story maps to present engaging and interactive mapping, SketchUp, and 3D modeling to display before and after graphics, and applications to poll and survey current and future users of the city’s trail networks.
Example of a public engagement and visualization exercise in the City of Troy
- The City of Livonia recently completed the Bike/Walk Livonia plan, which identifies important destinations in the city to connect with safe and accessible infrastructure and prioritizes biking, walking, and recreation trails in the city. This plan sets the framework for the city to be an active place where residents can safely walk and bike to parks and shopping; neighborhoods will be connected via a practical, comfortable, and complete transportation network to support quality of life and promote healthy living.
City of Livonia’s Bike / Walk Plan
- In the coming months, SEMCOG will host the following workshops to further educate and promote the development of walkable and bikeable communities. Please save the dates, plan on attending, and share successes from your community!
- May 25, 2016 – Building and Branding Your Routes and Trails
- July 20, 2016 – Sharing the Road: Educating Motorists, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians
- September 8, 2016 – Developing, Funding, and Maintaining Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure
- November 10, 2016 – Walkability and BIkeability in Rural Areas
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