Last month, New York City released a huge manual on how to design their city streets and sidewalks.

It’s purpose is to “serve as a comprehensive resource for promoting higher quality street designs and more efficient project implementation.”

And by the looks of it, this manual is a great resource for promoting better bicycle facilities and policies.

Street Design Policy

Included in the manual is a street design policy which lists the overall goals. The first four goals include references to bicycling, which is very impressive. New York City is clearly aiming to be much more bicycle-friendly.

“Design for Safety: Prioritize safety for all street users, particularly more vulnerable groups (children, the elderly, those with disabilities) and more vulnerable modes (walking, bicycling).”

“Design for Access and Mobility: Prioritize walking, bicycling, and transit by providing safe, accessible, convenient, and comfortable facilities for these modes, particularly on designated routes and at critical network connections.”

“Design for Context: Design local streets to be green, traffic calmed environments that encourage walking, bicycling, and recreational activities.”

“Design for Livability: Design streets to encourage physical activity for all ages and populations by making walking, bicycling, and transit attractive and convenient.”

Road Geometry

Chapter 2 of the manual covers road geometry and gives many great examples of bike lanes and paths.

One particular bike lane design is shown in the above photo. The design provides additional painted buffering between the vehicular travel lane and the bike lane. Though the buffering wouldn’t stop a car from encroaching in the bike lane, they increase the perceived safety for cyclists.

Buffered bike lanes seem like a great option for city of Detroit roads since they are often overbuilt and have the spare width needed for this implementation.

For more non-motorized transportation advocacy information from New York City, visit Streetsblog.

Link: New York City Street Design Manual

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has an active page on Facebook.

Their Dequindre Cut trail opening photo gallery is full of great shots, including this one to the right. It certainly shows Detroit knows how to open a trail will style and enthusiasm.

But there are other Detroit trail- or bike-related groups on Facebook, including these:

• Detroit Trails and Greenways
• Hamtramck Trails
• Friends of Clinton River Trail
• Friends of the I-275 Pathway
• Detroit Critical Mass
• The Hub
• Wheelhouse Detroit

Yo, here’s a fun, snappy Friday video via Streetsblog:

Mark your calendars for October 25th through the 28th. The 2009 Mid-America Trails and Greenways Conference is coming to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Here are more details from Nancy Krupiarz of MTGA.

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Mid-America Trails and Greenways Conference program topics and plenary speakers are up on the MTGA website. Hope you are making plans to attend this wonderful networking and inspiring educational event.

The pre-conference field trips are also coming together. They include the following options:

• Mountain bike trip to Fort Custer Recreation Area
• Horse and Carriage Ride down the Van Buren Trail
• Bike trip on the Kal-Haven and Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
• Bike trip at the Battle Creek Linear Park
• Historical walk in downtown Kalamazoo

Prices and details will all be in the conference brochure which will be out in July.

And the post-conference sessions are shaping up for Wednesday, October 27th. They include:

• Trails 101
• Water Trails
• Hands-on sustainable trail building with the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)
• Covering the Distance: Long-Distance Trails

Likewise, prices and details will be in the conference brochure.

Hope to see you there!

The Michigan House Transportation Committee is taking up three bills at 10:30 AM this morning which directly impact bicycling in Michigan.

Below are the bills and their legislative summaries.

What can you do? Contact your state representative and voice your support.

Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and the League of Michigan Bicyclists will be at the committee meeting to provide testimony.

We’ll also note that both Representative Knollenberg and Representative Leland are cyclists. Even though they represent different parties, they’re both members of the bicycling party.

Penalties for injuring vulnerable road users

• HB 4958 – Representative Knollenberg
• HB 4959 – Representative Leland

House Bills 4958 and 4959 would impose criminal penalties on those who commit a moving violation while operating a motor vehicle and as a result cause injury or death to a “vulnerable roadway user” on a highway.

The term “vulnerable roadway user” refers to a pedestrian or a person on a “nonmotorized transportation device,” such as a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or inline skates. The penalties would apply when the vulnerable roadway user was complying with traffic laws.

Causing injury would be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

Causing death would be a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years and/or a fine of up to $7,500.

Driver Education: Bicycle Awareness

• HB 4960 – Representative Leland

The bill would require that driver education classroom instruction include information about laws related to bicycles and emphasize the awareness of bicycles on streets, roads, and highways. The bill would amend the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act (MCL 256.657).

The section being amended applies to “segment 1” teen driver training. This is the initial driver education program for individuals 17 years of age and younger. Driver training is not required for individuals 18 and over to obtain a driver’s license (although it is available).