MDOT and Wayne State University’s Transportation Research Group is collecting survey data for all roundabout users, including cyclists and pedestrians. We encourage all cyclists to participate. It’s short and painless.
One issue with the survey is it generalizes roundabouts. Not all roundabouts are the same. The single lane versions are far simpler and safer for cyclists than the overbuilt three-lane versions. However, the survey doesn’t take this variation into account. The researcher told us they will be looking at crash data for these different versions.
Unfortunately, MDOT issued an errant press release about this survey. In it they said the survey was “aimed at finding out what motorists think about roundabouts.” The Free Press, Detroit News, and Oakland Press have repeated this mistake in their news coverage, so it’s extra important that we get some cyclist and pedestrian responses.
Model D is provides a significant amount of Detroit biking coverage. Perhaps due to May being bike month, they’ve got even more stories, including this one on Midtown’s Green Alley.
The alley will consist of native plantings and a 6-foot-wide pedestrian and bike pathway constructed of reclaimed historic brick framed by permeable pavement — which ensures emergency vehicle access. It is lit by induction lights, which are more efficient than LED and last for 25 years. “I hope one day to be have to climb up there and change a bulb!” says Tom.
The alley will provide a connection to the Motor City Brewing Works and include bike racks.
Detroit Critical Mass
Here’s a little video of the April 2010 Critical Mass ride in Detroit. Isn’t it ironic that the Motor City’s ride deals with fewer cars than perhaps all other citys’? (via Model D)
The U.S. Social Forum (USSF) is coming to Detroit this June. Biking is a big part of this event. People from around the U.S. are biking to Motown through the BikeIt project. Registration for their Tent Bike City is now open.
When: May 15th from 3:30pm-7pm
Where: Back Alley Bikes space (entrance in alley behind of The Hub of Detroit)
What: The goal of the evening is to use wood and recycled bicycle parts to make simple bicycle cargo trailers. The trailers built will be used to pick up waste during the forum and will be a part of environmental management efforts reduce the ecological footprint of the USSF and beyond!
Yes, Fort Street in Southwest Detroit is being reconstucted. Yes, the Detroit Non-Motorized Plan calls for bike lanes on this road. Yes, the road is six-lanes but the vehicular traffic levels only require two. Yes, this road would likely be part of the U.S. Bicycle Route 25 through Detroit.
No, MDOT did not include bike lanes in the project.
Why? No reasonable answers have been given so far. MTGA and others are continuing to discuss this with MDOT. There’s no reason why this shouldn’t be a four-lane road with buffered bike lanes.
Yesterday, Cinco de Mayo, the new Bagley pedestrian bridge over I-75 in Detroit was officially opened. Mexicantown has been divided by I-75 for over 40 years and this biking and walking bridge helps close some of that gap.
And it does it with style as the below photos show.
The 407-foot-long bridge is the first cable-stayed pedestrian bridge in Michigan and varies in width from 10 feet on the western approach to 31 feet on the eastern approach.
The bridge also connects to plazas at both ends. It is adorned with 335 lights and surrounded by 900 trees, plants and shrubs.
The Bagley Avenue Pedestrian Bridge?cost $5 million to build and is part of the $230 million Gateway Project, which provides a direct connection from I-75 and I-96 to the Ambassador Bridge.
Cinco de Mayo marks the opening of the Pediestrian Bridge connecting East and West Mexicantown.
Come down to the MDOT Welcome Center on Bagley, May 5, 2010 to mark this historic occasion! Event starts at 1:00 PM, with the official opening ceremony at 2:00 PM.
Come to celebrate the historic opening, Stay for a margarita!
How can you saw no? This much anticipated bridge will be opening in Mexicantown on Cinco de Mayo.
Dave Duffield (from the LMB) and HometownLife.com recently posted MDOT’s reconstruction plans for the I-275 Metro Trail.
Trail Segment
Construction begins by
Expected completion
Hines Drive to Meadowbrook
Early next week
October 2010
Michigan Ave to Hines Drive
Early next week
July 2010
South of Michigan Ave
2011
TBD
Duffield adds, “Please refrain from using the path at all, especially the middle section. It will be totally impassible once they start ripping it up.”
An enthusiastic group of trail users attended an open house held Tuesday by The Michigan Department of Transportation to hear about upcoming improvements to the I-275 Pathway.
During the meeting at the Plymouth Township Town Hall, MDOT and the contractors involved in design, planning and construction of the trail upgrades explained more about the project.
Trail users were also asked for input on certain design features, including the style of wayfinding signage and the four new bridges. The signage will help users find the path, point the way to nearby trails, and brand the 35-year-old trail with an identity to go along with its new name: the I-275 Metro Trail.
Yes, fellow cyclists. Orange barrel season has begun on the trails, too.
MDOT and Wayne State University’s Transportation Research Group is collecting survey data for all roundabout users, including cyclists and pedestrians. We encourage all cyclists to participate. It’s short and painless.
