Livonia to consider non-motorized plan
The Free Press is reporting about a non-motorized planning proposal before the Livonia City Council this evening.
Tonight, a Livonia City Council committee will consider a proposal from [Frank] Kalinski, a city resident since 1993, to create a non-motorized transportation plan for the city.
Kalinski’s proposal includes designated biking and walking paths that would not only cross the city, but also would connect Livonia with surrounding communities such as downtown Farmington. Because it would connect the two communities and presumably add economic benefits, the plan would be in better position to help the city secure federal transportation funds, he said.
Livonia Councilwoman Maureen Miller Brosnan sees merit in the effort, and wants her city of almost 99,000 to become one of 10 communities in the state with a non-motorized transportation plan. She cited the timing of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s signing on Aug. 1 of Complete Streets legislation. Although it lacks a funding component, the legislation is designed to make future transportation projects in the state consider all transportation users, not just motorized vehicles.
It’s unexpected but much welcomed to hear Livonia discussing a non-motorized transportation plan. This is the best first step for communities to become more bike friendly and more walkable. As noted in the article, Detroit has done this, as had Troy. Novi and Royal Oak are currently developing their plans.
It’s unclear from the article whether Livonia would hire an outside planner with experience in non-motorized plans. The “plan” shown in the Free Press diagram is not a non-motorized plan.
Hiring experienced planners would clearly be preferred. Expecting a workable plan from city staff not familiar with non-motorized planning (beyond sidewalks) is prone to fail.
And, a good non-motorized plan is more than just engineering. It should include action plans for education, encouragement, and enforcement.
Afterall, the goal is not to build a bunch of cycling facilities. It’s to get a city to bike more.