On Wednesday, Oakland County hosted an Urban Trails Meeting for the communities within the four geographic township boundaries of Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy, and Bloomfield. The meeting’s purpose was “to discuss the possibilities and opportunities for enhancing and promoting non-motorized connectivity in an urban environment.”

The southeast quadrant of Oakland County is arguably the most developed area within the county. However, it is heavily used by bikers and pedestrians for travel and recreation, demonstrating the desire for non-motorized facilities that are safe and connected. The infrastructure is already in place for a multi- use, interconnected urban trail system in your community – lets build on what exists and help market this area as a great place to walk and bike!

The turnout was very good. Most of the invited communities were in attendance and gave brief summaries of where they are at this their biking facilities.

Next, Oakland County described their potential services, including GIS and planning. They also mentioned possibilie of service grants so communities could apply for this help from the County. With Michigan’s strong home-rule design, the County really can’t force bike networks and municipal cooperation. At best they can encourage and show the way. But at the end of the day, it’s local government’s job to get this done.

And as most area cyclists will tell you, they are not getting the job done with a few exceptions (namely Ferndale, Madison Heights, and Troy.) This is despite the fact that there is very strong support for biking facilities among the public. And, in some cases, these bike networks are even specified in community master plans.

Money is often a given excuse, yet 1% of the state road funding these communities receive must be spent on non-motorized transportation. In addition, M-DOT awards transportation enhancement and CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) grants for non-motorized facilities. This is not an excuse.

What appears to be true is there is internal opposition within local governments, primarily from older, auto-centric, stuck in the mud individuals.

Some have suggested we wait until these roadblocks retire. I disagree. Cyclists shouldn’t be expected to forgo safe facilities until then. We’ve been patient so far while the rest of the country (and world) move forward.

The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) has launched their Trails Finder for Michigan. It’s a new mashup combining Google Maps with Michigan trail information. The trails include everything from singletrack to paved off-road trails to bike lanes.

There are some caveats to this project, as they are with anything this new and cutting edge:

The database reflected in this website marks is a work in progress. Not all trailways have been mapped, nor have we received all the data for existing GIS Trails data. There may also be updates needed for new trails or extensions to trails for which we have not received information.

More details on the Trails Finder

The Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan brought Majora Carter to Detroit this week for a series of presentations on her Sustainable South Bronx work. There are a myriad of similar challenges in both the South Bronx and Detroit.

Majora’s efforts have resulted in the area’s first new riverfront park in 60 years, plans and funding for a major greenway/trail system, a green-collar training program, a green roof program, and much more. Her presentation was very inspiring.

Her presentation was similar to one she made in 2006 at TED. I highly recommend devoting 19 minutes to watching it. You will not be disappointed.

Tri-Centennial State Park

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expects Phase II to go to bid in March of 2008. They believe they are still on schedule for a June start. If everything works out and the weather cooperates, there’s a possibility of it being completed this year.

Note that Phase II is from the park’s large grassy mound to Rivard Plaza.

East Riverfront Linear Parks

On October 9th, 2007, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) posted the following update:

The DEGC staff is managing the design process towards the development of new park space that will extend from Jefferson Avenue to Atwater Street along Riopelle Street and the former Dequindre Avenue right of way. These “linear” parks were conceived as part of the East Riverfront District Plan, which are to serve as features that would offer views to the Detroit River, and would encourage non-motorized pathways from the Lafayette Park neighborhood down to the Riverfront Promenade and the Tricentennial State Park. During the next quarter, the DEGC staff will move the design process into further development.

Since that time some underground storage tanks were found and there may be some unforeseen cleanup issues. While the DEGC originally committed to funding that connector, this recent discovery adds some uncertainty.

Gabriel Richard Park

According to this Detroit Free Press article:

The City of Detroit is planning $1.9 million in upgrades to the now vacant Gabriel Richard Park.

City officials told city council today that half of that amount would come from federal government and half from the nonprofit Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. The Economic Development Corporation made the presentation today before council.

The city staff requests that council hold a hearing on April 9.

I’m unclear how the park is vacant. It contains is a beautiful section of the Riverwalk.

More information on Father Gabriel Richard

One of the biggest problems facing bike advocacy in Metro Detroit is the lack of organization. There are many groups and clubs, but not a single voice that can inform and mobilize grassroots cycling advocacy.

We’ve met and discussed this dilemma with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Fitness Foundation, and American Cycle and Fitness. We looked at one example of a successful regional advocacy group in Flint.

Of course, one big issue is funding.

Since the National Safe Routes to School Conference was in Dearborn at the end of 2007, we set up a meeting with Tim Blumenthal of BikesBelong. As he mentioned ahead of time, he didn’t bring his checkbook, but he still gave us ideas of where else this situation has been resolved throughout the U.S. Unfortunately there aren’t many examples.

Still, this idea is moving forward though with a more limited regional perspective. We’ll should be posting more updates in the near future.