m-bike.org

Author: Todd Scott

  • 11 Mile Road doesn’t have it all — but it could

    “A cooperative group of business friends in Royal Oak, Michigan” has begun a campaign highlighting 11 Mile Road through Royal Oak. They are hoping draw business and attention to this business strip.

    “We don’t get any respect,” he said about himself and his fellow business owners along the portions of 11 Mile Road just west and east of downtown Royal Oak. “We are not glitzy, or glamorous or progressive. But it’s family friendly down here. Eleven Mile Road is where you go for everyday service.”

    Their slogan and web site are “11 Mile Has It All.”

    Anyone who’s ever thought about biking on 11 Mile knows better. 11 Mile is not a Complete Street. It doesn’t have it all. It’s a road design based on the old-school failed concept that maximum vehicle mobility is good for local business strips.

    It’s the same failed concept that once removed parking on nearby Washingon Boulevard in order to add another travel lane. Thankfully the Royal Oak DDA put Washington Boulevard on a Road Diet — at least in the business district.

    We’ve submitted these comments to this 11 Mile Road group some weeks ago, but have not yet received any response:

    Greatest Challenge: 11 Mile Road is not a Complete Street nor designed to be a main street. The current road design is the biggest impediment to making 11 Mile a thriving business district and part of a livable community. Today, 11 Mile does not have it all — but it can be fixed.

    Solution: Make 11 Mile Road a Complete Street, which would likely involve a Road Diet, bike lanes, and on-street parking where possible. This is not unlike what Ferndale did with 9 Mile to great success. The 11 Mile group should participate in Royal Oak’s non-motorized planning which is expected to start soon.

    We checked and the motor vehicle traffic volumes on 11 Mile Road would allow a Road Diet without diverting traffic onto residential streets.

    And Road Diets increase safety. MDOT studied eight Michigan road diets and found they reduced vehicular crashes by 26% and reduced pedestrian unjuries by 37%. They also reduce speeding, provide more safe transportations options, and increase local business.

    A Road Diet would truly make 11 Mile Road more family friendly — something it isn’t today unless you’re in a car.

    11 Mile Road could have it all.

  • Asphalt shoving: no fun for cyclists

    We should qualify the title. Some cyclists might like asphalt shoving, especially for getting air.

    What is asphalt shoving? It’s the result of high horizontal stresses that cause ripples or washboards to form in asphalt.

    In the city of Detroit, you’ll often see this phenomenon at well-used bus stops. The force from the bus stopping causes slight shifts in the asphalt each time.

    This uneven pavement can cause problems for unsuspecting cyclists. It can also cause drainage problems.

    One solution is to use concrete pads at bus stops, but this is more expensive at the front-end. Still, it’s a good idea on roads with higher levels of bicycle traffic, e.g. Woodward Avenue.

    In the meantime, be careful riding those bus routes.

  • Complete Streets in Michigan: a good step forward

    State Representative Pam Byrnes said it best, “This bill is not what everybody wants, but it’s a good step forward.”

    The original Complete Streets bill would have required MDOT and all cities and counties to adopt Complete Streets policies. The new bill requires only MDOT but encourages others to do the same.

    The new bill was unanimously voted out of the House Transportation Committee today and will hopefully get a vote on the House floor before heading to the Senate.

    For additional details, the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition has an excellent write up on their website.

    These bills still need our help! Please contact your state representative now to tell them to support House Bills 6151 and 6152.

    The Michigan Complete Streets also has a list of other actions you can take to help the roads in this state a better place to ride a bicycle.

  • Underground Railroad bicycle route gets a $20K boost

    As mentioned before, the Adventure Cycling Association with help from MTGA and others are developing an Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. This route would be a 400-mile spur from the existing 2,100-mile route running from Alabama, through Buffalo, NY to Ontario.

    Bicycle Retailer magazine is reporting that Adventure Cycling just received a $20K grant from REI to continue this routing effort.

    The 400-mile alternate will run between Oberlin, Ohio, and Owen Sound, Ontario, according to a press release. Highlights on the new route include the historically rich communities of Sandusky, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.

    Running through northwestern Ohio, southern Michigan, and southern Ontario, the new cycling route will create a cultural heritage corridor centered on the storied Underground Railroad, offering education and recreational opportunities for people of all ages.

    The article also recognizes the recent bike efforts in the city of Detroit.

    An important highlight on the new route, Detroit has increasingly invested in bike lanes, greenways, urban agriculture, and natural parks. This cycling route will capitalize on these local efforts through tourism and outreach projects such as club rides, youth involvement, and health and history events at libraries, museums, and other sites after the route is completed.

    Adventure Cycling has pulled together a very knowledgeable and passionate group of Underground Railroad stakeholders. Combined with the organization’s vast experience, this new route promises to be an exciting addition for cyclists wanting to combine history and bike touring.

  • U.S. Social Forum bike tour of Detroit

    Yesterday, The Hub of Detroit led a group ride around the city of Detroit as part of the U.S. Social Forums. Starting at bike tent city on Woodward and Temple, the ride went past the Joe Louis fist, the RiverWalk, Dequindre Cut, Eastern Market, and more.

    About 50 people participated. Many of them had ridden to Detroit. Everyone was super friendly, including the many motorists who yielded to the parade of pedalers.

    Allison Mannos, an Urban Programs Coordinator at Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition was in the group. Allison gave an excellent presentation on diversity at the National Bike Summit earlier this year. She gave us big kudos for the Dequindre Cut.

    Bicycles join in the U.S. Social Forum opening march
    The Hub of Detroit led a group ride around Detroit
    Taking a ride on the Dequindre Cut
    This ride had more flags than lycra