There are many planning firms in Metro Detroit that bid on non-motorized planning projects.

Some are highly qualified, well-versed in best practices, and are responsible for the great projects within the area.

And there are other planners that ignore best practices and AASHTO — and as we’ve seen, they often bid low. They give us projects like the proposed transit center in Troy and Birmingham which mixes bicyclists and pedestrians on narrow winding sidewalks with 90 degree blind turns. Or a non-motorized plan in Oakland Township where the topic of bike lanes “never came up.”

To many local governments, price and familiarity are major determining factors in selecting planners. Local officials typically do not have the experience to determine which planners have the competency to do a non-motorized project.

As far as we know, there is not a relevant certification for non-motorized planning.

One option is to have a database of planning project reviews. MDOT has an internal database for their construction projects which rates projects and helps boost the more qualified contractors. It seems Metro Detroit could benefit from a similar public system where city officials and bicycle advocates could get unbiased reviews of area planners. It could help cities disqualify bids from planning firms that ignore best practices for non-motorized projects.

Does this already exist nationally? That would be optimal as regional and national firms often bid on local projects as well.

Both Crain’s and the Detroit News are reporting on the Michigan Climate Action Plan.

According to the News:

The report by the Center for Climate Strategies said a plan devised last year for battling global warming in Michigan would help limit the state’s heat-trapping gas emissions over the next 15 years.

But more than the environment would benefit, the nonprofit group said. It projected gains of 129,000 jobs, a $25 billion uptick in the gross state product and lower prices for home energy sources such as electricity, oil and natural gas.

“This study validates our commitment to energy efficiency and renewable sources of fuel,” said Steven Chester, director of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. “It’s the right thing to do for a healthy environment and a healthy economy.”

So what does this report say about biking?

It actually says quite a bit as shown below — but of course it’s easy to make recommendations. Getting MDOT, SEMCOG, county road commissions, local governments, and others to adopt the implementation mechanisms to reduce green house gas emissions is the herculean task. (more…)

Al Fields was the go-to guy in Mayor Kilpatrick’s office when it came to getting bike projects done in the city of Detroit.

He left his position in August 2008 to work for DTE.

While we struggled to fill the void, Council President then Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. stepped up in a major way. The passing of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan really gave bicycling momentum within the city.

That has led to more bike/greenway projects scheduled for 2010. The Department of Public Works (DPW) also created both internal and external non-motorized transportation task forces to help push the plan’s implementation forward. And DPW has anointed Prasad Nannapaneni as the program manager.

Now, adding to this momentum is the great news that Al Fields is returning to the city of Detroit as Mayor Bing’s Group Executive of Planning.

It’s going to be a great 2010.

Though perhaps not intentional, this article in Hometown Life seems to reinforce the notion that bicycle commuting is a consequence and not a first choice mode of transportation.

Those attending Farmington’s 47th District Court’s Sobriety Court may ride a bike there, because they usually don’t have a driver’s license.

“We have a number of people who ride their bicycle,” said Judge Marla Parker. “There are so many costs and consequences to drunk driving.”

Consequences like what? They’re biking and getting in better shape?

Now granted, Farmington and Farmington Hills are two of the worst places to ride a bike in Southeast Michigan. Neither city has made any notable effort to become more bike friendly except for a short segment of bike lane along one side of Powers Road. (Yes, having two wide lanes instead would be the safer design.)

Farmington is doing streetscaping along Grand River. They’re adding bike racks and putting Grand River on a Road Diet, but are not adding bike lanes.

The Farmington Hills master plan (Vilican Leman & Associates) appears to ignore best practices for bicycle planning and suggests sidepaths. There’s no excuse for this in 2009.

Also, Farmington Hills also paid Hooke De Jong $89K in 2007 for a Sustainability Study that failed to consider bicycles as a mode of transportation. Instead the study said, “Bicycle paths add to the attractiveness of the city, appealing to families, while signaling a resident friendly community. Bicycle paths contribute positively to the community’s environment and image.”

At least Judge Parker consider bicycles to be transportation.

The city of Hamtramck is updating their master plan, which is certainly an opportunity to call for better biking and walking infrastructure!

There is a planning meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, December 8th (details below) at the Hamtramck Library. Or you can add feedback on their cool interactive map. Many bike-related comments have already been submitted to the map.

Here are the details on the meeting and map. (more…)