Royal Oak moves forward with non-motorized planning
Last night the Royal Oak City Commission approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals which would include a non-motorized transportation master plan. That plan’s creation would eventually be funded through the Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant (EECBG) program — part of the economic stimulus package.
The City of Royal Oak is interested in receiving proposals for technical consultant services to assist the city to develop and/or implement a strategy for… the development of a non-motorized transportation plan to site and install infrastructure such as bicycle routes, lanes, pathways, and signed shared roadways, as well as sidewalks and pedestrian walkways.
UPDATE: “The submission deadline for proposals is Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Doug Hedges or Joseph Murphy at (248) 246-3280.”?The proposal deadline is June 12th and the city expects to select the winning proposal(s) by sometime around June 25th.
This is a critical first step to improving the quality of travel for those who are providing their own motor.
And it’s great news for anyone who bikes, walks, or runs in Royal Oak.
Link: Royal Oak Request for Proposals
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Tags: economic stimulus, Energy Block Grants, Planning, Royal Oak
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
This is indeed great news. I do wonder, though, whether a single plan for all non-motorized modes is the best way to go. Whereas they share some common concerns, bicycling and walking are rather different means of transportation, and don’t always have the same needs. I know Portland, Oregon has separate bike and pedestrian master plans, but other than Ann Arbor’s non-motorized plan, I haven’t researched the approach other cities have taken.
I suspect that separate plans may allow for a little more depth, but in these times I understand the need to economize, and our region is still just beginning its next transportation transformation.
June 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Interesting point. Detroit’s non-motorized plan covered both, but it also had less depth with respect to pedestrianism.
One difference with Royal Oak is the city has an extensive and well-maintained sidewalk network. There are not too many gaps left. Most of the pedestrian issues involve downtown and crossing major barriers such as Woodward and I-75. We (the public) will need to make sure these issues are addressed and not lost in the combined planning efforts.
Troy’s are combined.
Novi has already done considerable planning with respect to pedestrian pathways. I imagine their non-motorized planning will simply tie the two together.