“How We Drive” is a real interesting blog that more about roads users and transportation than just driving.

A recent entry is very relevant to bicyclists.  It discusses how many drivers do not accurately assess the risks of their driving behavior.  They take chances that most of the time don’t result in a crash or injury.  Examples could include passing cyclists too closely on the road , crossing a double-yellow line to pass cyclists, or pulling through a crosswalk without looking for pedestrians.

Whether from personal on-road experience, or from reading studies, or from examining in-car footage of crashes and near-crashes, I am often struck by how often people seem to put themselves, and others, at great risk. Following closely at high speed on the interstate, or driving fast through a neighborhood street, they act in a way that suggests they believe that nothing could go wrong, or that they would be in control if it did. Over time, this behavior is typically rewarded, perhaps through sheer luck, until the ‘black swan’ event that they never expected actually happens. Then, as is often the case, begins a process of denial, an attempt to assuage the cognitive dissonance that has come between the image of themselves as a good and cautious driver and an event that was ‘beyond their control.’

Certainly there are some bicyclists that don’t accurately assess their risk.  The difference being that the negative impacts of risky cycling behavior is generally limited to the cyclist.  Motorist bad behavior around cyclists negatively impacts the cyclist.

Here are the preliminary plans for the Dequindre Trail which connects the Dequindre Cut to Tri-Centennial State Park and the Riverwalk.

Note that the trail has more hard surfaces compared with the nearby Dequindre Cut and state park.  This was done since this segment is expected to have more pedestrian traffic.  That is, of course, after the surrounding East Riverfront residential units are developed and occupied.

Click on the image for a larger view.

[Disclaimer: I work for MTGA.]

MTGA actively supports trail development in the City of Detroit

The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) has been through some changes.

They started as the Michigan office for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC).  When the RTC shifted their state focus to a regional focus, the Michigan office amicably split and MTGA was the result.

One issue that MTGA had is it was always chasing grant dollars to keep the wheels turning.  That chasing took time away from the trail projects themselves.  And it was that dilemma that prompted this new partnership with the Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF).

“The shifting of the administrative burden will allow us to take the trails movement in Michigan to the next level,” said Nancy Krupiarz, executive director of MTGA. “We will be able to more fully dedicate ourselves to advancing the development of Michigan’s interconnected trailways system.”

Marilyn Lieber, president and CEO of the Michigan Fitness Foundation, sees this partnership advancing both nonprofits’ missions.

“A connected system of trails is an essential component of active community environments. Enhancing the opportunities for MTGA staff and its dedicated board members to address trail programs, full time, supports our mission of promoting healthy lifestyles in communities designed to support physical activity.”

Link: MTGA Press Release

Rendering of the new public dock and terminal under construction along the Riverwalk

Tuesday, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy (DRC) hosted a public forum on the Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut.  This is the first in a series of public meetings.

Some of the highlights —

The Dequindre Cut grand opening is scheduled for May 2009.  However, the construction is expected to be completed by mid-November.  At that time, the DRC will take over management of the trail.  It may officially open for use in December.

The Dequindre Trail is the 3 block trail which connects the Dequindre Cut to Tricentennial State Park and the Riverwalk.  It is being built by the City of Detroit and the DEGC.  The design is currently under review.  Construction should begin in Spring 2009 and completed in the Summer 2009.

In the meantime, many of the roads in the East Riverfront area will be reconstructed and bike lanes added.

Phase II of Tricentennial State Park is under construction as noted earlier.  Construction should be completed by Fall of 2009.

Further north, plans are underway to improve the pedestrian connection between the Dequindre Cut and Eastern Market.  The sidewalks along Gratiot and Russell will be improved as will the lighting.  Construction is expected to begin in the spring and completed during the summer.

And heading even further north, conceptual plans should be completed this week suggesting how the Dequindre Cut will extend north from Gratiot to Mack.  The plans contain ramps at Wilkins and Division.  These will provide better access to Eastern Market — especially for cyclists.

Back along the river, we received the following update from the DRC:

Construction has begun on the new Port Authority Dock & Terminal, planned for the East Riverfront between Hart Plaza and the GM Renaissance Center. Planned by the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, the project includes a 21,000 square foot Public Dock & Terminal, which, once complete, will be able to accommodate all types of vessels wishing to call on the City of Detroit, including cruise ships, ferries, water taxis, tall ships, dinner boats and navy vessels. The two story terminal will house a processing area for tourists, ticket counters, the authority’s headquarters and a public plaza.

Due to the construction, East RiverWalk will be temporarily closed to the public, from the eastern end of Hart Plaza to the western end of the GM Renaissance Center and GM Plaza. An alternate route will be provided around the construction site for those enjoying the RiverWalk. The RiverWalk closure will begin on Monday, October 27 and is planned to be reopened in Summer 2009

The DRC has plans to upgrade Mt. Elliot Park.  It will receive a new pavilion, concessions, and a playscape for children.  No time line was given.

Also, it’s estimated that the Riverwalk had nearly 2 million visitors this year.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the public session:

Q. Are the Red Bull races coming back?
A. They hope so but it depends on getting sponsorship dollars and times are tight.

Q. Are there plans to build an aquarium on the Riverwalk?
A. No, but some developers have proposed one.  The problem is they are tough to make economical.

Q. What are the plans for the tops of the bridge abutments along the Dequindre Cut?
A. Original plans had them as community gardens, but their use really depends on the feedback from the community.

Q. Are the Dequindre Cut ramps accessible?
A. Yes, all of the ramps are under 5% slope and meet the ADA requirements.

Q. Can we make the music less noticeable and distracting?
A. The music levels at Gabriel Richard were set too loudly.  That has been corrected.  The DRC has a varied program mix of music and quiet time.  However, General Motors controls the music along their Promenade.

Q. Will the Riverwalk go through the Watermark development?
A. Yes.  The DRC owns an easement along the river’s edge.  The Riverwalk will be extended from Tri-Centennial State Park to Chene Park when the Watermark is built.

Q. Can security and emergency personnel reach those in the Dequindre Cut?
A. Yes, there are three entrances where motorized vehicles can reach those in need.  The entrances have removable bollards for that purpose.

This is why we love Model D.

While most of the Detroit media has not covered City Council’s glowing endorsement of the Non-Motorized Transportation Master Plan, Model D has published an article, hosted a speaker series, and has now made a video.

By the way, that cool building at the start of the video is home to Giffels-Webster, but it was originally built for making cigars — one of Detroit’s major industries prior to making automobiles.