SEMCOG issued a press release highlighting their analysis of the 2009 crash data. When it comes to their non-motorized crash analysis, we find it to be very superficial. This year is no different.

We did more year-to-year comparison and found some unreported and disturbing trends.

What SEMCOG says: “Bicycle crashes down – Traffic crashes … involving bicycles decreased just less than one percent in 2009 from 2008. There were … 967 crashes involving bikes in 2009.”

What the data shows: While there were fewer total bicycle crashes, that is primarily due to there being fewer minor crashes that left the bicyclist uninjured. Incapacitating injuries among cyclists increased significantly. The number of serious (fatal or incapacitating) bicycle crashes are up over 16 percent!

This is especially alarming given that statewide bicycling fatalities are down 24%. And, motorist fatalities within the SEMCOG region dropped by 5%.

In 2009, 47% percent of all Michigan bicycle fatalities were within the SEMCOG region as opposed to 36% in 2008.

The number of bicyclists involved in a crash increased slightly this year as well.

What SEMCOG says: “Pedestrian crashes down – Crashes in Southeast Michigan involving pedestrians totaled 1,180 in 2009; this represents a two percent decrease from 2008.”

What the data shows: While pedestrian crashes are down, pedestrian fatalities are up 4.5%. Statewide, pedestrian fatalities are up 6.1%.

In 2008, non-motorized fatalities made up 21% of all road fatalities within the SEMCOG region. In 2009, that percentage climbed to 23%.

Also in the press release, SEMCOG Executive Director Paul Tait says, “We are happy to report this continuing decline in traffic crashes in Southeast Michigan. A number of factors contribute to this downward trend, including the poor economy, higher gas prices, fewer vehicle miles traveled, and higher safety belt usage.”

If higher gas prices and fewer vehicle miles traveled meant safer roads in 2009, then why aren’t those goals within the Michigan’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan? It’s obvious that one of the most efficient ways of decreasing serious road injuries would be to reduce the vehicle miles traveled. It’s proven itself in 2009, yet it’s not part of the plan to improve road safety. Why not? Is the lack of political leadership trumping safety?

And, SEMCOG’s Camine Palombo commented on their analysis by concluding, “Finally – some news we can be proud of!”

We don’t agree.

"We do have many modes of transportation in this country, many different ways of getting around. Why not make room at the table for bicycling and walking?"

It started at the National Bike Summit when Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation addressed the crowd. Rather than take the podium, he climbed on top of a table and spoke loudly. He spoke of transportation’s role in building livable communities, which certainly included better and safer accommodations for people on bikes.

Days prior to the speech, he’d unveiled a new USDOT policy that supported this effort. He highlighted both in his Fastlane blog.

Today, I want to announce a sea change. People across America who value bicycling should have a voice when it comes to transportation planning. This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.

We are integrating the needs of bicyclists in federally-funded road projects. We are discouraging transportation investments that negatively affect cyclists and pedestrians. And we are encouraging investments that go beyond the minimum requirements and provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

To set this approach in motion, we have formulated key recommendations for state DOTs and communities:

• Treat walking and bicycling as equals with other transportation modes.
• Ensure convenient access for people of all ages and abilities.
• Go beyond minimum design standards.
• Collect data on walking and biking trips.
• Set a mode share target for walking and bicycling.
• Protect sidewalks and shared-use paths the same way roadways are protected (for example, snow removal)
• Improve nonmotorized facilities during maintenance projects.

Now, this is a start, but it’s an important start. These initial steps forward will help us move forward even further.

There was opposition to this policy from those protecting the status quo. Some of that is documented in LaHood’s interview in the New York Times. The League of American Bicyclists rebutted the opposition’s arguments.

And as LaHood noted in his more recent blog entry, this policy just reflects what Americans want.

So how does this improve biking in Metro Detroit?

First, this is a federal policy but without big teeth. It gives direction but doesn’t spell out penalties for those transportation agencies that ignore them.

Even still, it’s a very, very positive step. It supports the Complete Streets effort taking place at the local, state, and federal levels.

It’s worthwhile to keep a copy of this policy with you whenever you discuss improving bicycling conditions in your community.

First, NBC is in Detroit today for an upcoming national story which includes biking in Detroit. It is expected to air later this month….

Detroit on Two Wheels: Wheelhouse

A short article from Papermag gives some love to the Wheelhouse Detroit, which is now open for business.

Not every form of transportation in the Motor City requires an engine. Wheelhouse Detroit, a bicycle shop in downtown Detroit, that offers rentals, retail, and service. They also offer tours that help make little-known tourist gems more accessible in a city that is spread across many miles.

Detroiters Kelli Kavanaugh and Karen Gage opened Wheelhouse two years ago and they emphasize the ecological practices of their business, including the t-shirts and sustainable water bottles they sell. “Our store is an opportunity to get to talk to people about road safety and spread the word that cars need to share the road with riders,” said Gage, who also works as an urban planner in the city.

Real Detroit also ran a nice article on the shop.

Big plans for the future Detroit

The Detroit Free Press published a big article which compiles the various plans for Detroit — including the greenway and non-motorized plans.

The city plans to put up about 30 miles of bike lanes and more than 12 miles of routes designed for cyclists starting in September in southwest Detroit, near Wayne State and on the east side. The aim is a network of hundreds of miles of biking and walking paths connecting neighborhoods and attractions across the city.

There’s also updates on the RiverWalk and Midtown Loop. The Free Press did a find job creating a map showing bike lane projects planned for this year.

The same issue included an editorial.

For all its troubles today, Detroit is also a place brimming with hope for tomorrow.

When you assemble all the proposals, plans and dreams that have been advanced in recent months, the city of 2020 looks dramatically different than it looks today: smaller, smarter, greener, more mobile, with more job opportunities — and once again the pounding heart of a metropolitan region.

You see thousands of kids attending schools that work for them. You see people using light rail and boarding buses in a transit system that serves them. You see a gleaming, growing medical complex; banners being hoisted to the rafters of a new sports arena; and people tending little farms that nourish their neighborhoods in more ways than one. You see convention-goers strolling a crowded RiverWalk and bicyclists coasting the downhills of a new trail network.

Bicyclists coasting the downhills? It’s a nice thought, but with Detroit being built on a former lake bed, there aren’t going to be many downhills of note.

Michigan residents are winners under new state parks passport law

Howard Meyerson, a columnist with the Grand Rapids Press, has covered the state park funding situation for years. His latest column celebrates the passage of the Recreation Passport legislation. He also shined some light on those that opposed or at least delayed these bills.

It wasn’t an easy passage. The Chamber of Commerce and transportation lobby opposed it. Speaker of the House Andy Dillon held it up over the holidays, reportedly to help an old college buddy, now a transportation lobbyist.

But in the end, wiser heads prevailed.

Yes, wiser heads did prevail. The new payment system begins this October, so everyone will still need to purchase their 2010 Motor Vehicle Pass stickers.

Detroit was represented well at the 10th annual National Bike Summit in DC

And, Model D just published an article on the recent National Bike Summit. They referenced our review of the event. Thanks, Model D!

MDOT recently issued this press release:

MDOT offers toll-free pothole hotline to Michigan motorists

March 31, 2010 — Freezing and thawing cycles lead to potholes in the spring. In addition to a toll-free pothole line, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has posted a form on the MDOT Web site to encourage motorists to report potholes on state roads. Reports of potholes on state roads (M, I and U.S. roads only) will be routed to the nearest MDOT Transportation Service Center (TSC).

“The pothole hotline is an easy and efficient way for residents to help us identify potholes on state roads that need to be repaired,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “We hope that residents will call the hotline or use the link on the MDOT Web site to report potholes that need attention.”

To report a pothole, call 888-296-4546, around-the-clock, seven days a week, or use the “Report Potholes” link on the MDOT Web site at?www.michigan.gov/mdot. Those reporting pothole locations are asked to provide the route name (M, U.S. or I designation), the county, the nearest community, and the closest cross street or interchange. Potholes on non-state roads should be reported to local road commissions since MDOT does not have jurisdiction over roads that are not part of the state system.

Information about how potholes are formed is available on the MDOT Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9615_30883—,00.html.

The title is misleading. Other road users, including cyclists can report potholes — not just motorists.

As you may know, MDOT has a reimbursement program if one of these potholes damages your vehicle. According to a 2004 VeloNews article, Michigan bicyclists should be able to make claims as well. The MDOT claim forms are not specific to motorists.

Still, getting reimbursed is not easy according to MDOT.

The state will consider an award only for the damages beyond what has been paid by your insurance company, and the state must have been aware of the pothole for 30 days without repairing it in order for a claim to be eligible for reimbursement.

Also note that parts of that VeloNews article are outdated due to more recent court decisions.

A 2006 court case determined that by law, counties and MDOT are only liable for vehicular travel lanes.

It also doesn’t include paved shoulders or bike lanes — bikes are not vehicles under Michigan law. On one hand, that’s good for convincing road agencies to build bike facilities (no added liability.) However, that also means cyclists are not afforded the same protections as motorists.

According to the state attorney general’s office, the liability extends beyond potholes to include:

• Rutting
• 
  Manhole covers
• 
  Dilapidated road surface
• Traveled (vehicle) lane edge drops
• 
  Missing storm sewer grates

Either way, it’s imperative that cyclists keep a keen eye on the road conditions this time year until the patching crews can get some repairs made.

The Oakland Press has an article on the new pedestrian/bike bridge over Telegraph Road just north of Orchard Lake. This is a critical missing piece of the Clinton River Trail and will be very welcomed as there are no safe alternatives given the area’s poor road designs.

Bids were expected Thursday on the project with construction starting in late May and early June.

The bridge should be completed by Nov. 15, according to officials.

Mayor Leon Jukowski said the bridge would provide a safe place for people to enjoy the natural beauty of the parks and river trail.

“It’s a great opportunity for the city and it will connect us with our neighboring communities,” he said.

This project is being paid for through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) also know as the stimulus funding.