Bikes on Buses

All SMART buses and about half of DDOT buses now have bicycle racks. DDOT expects all of their buses to have racks by the first quarter of 2011.

Weren’t they talking about possibly three-bike racks? Yes, but we were told there was an apparent design problem with those racks. When loaded, they blocked the bus left headlight. Not good. DDOT is also looking at funding bike racks near their transit stops.

DDOT’s Bikes on Buses brochure is on-line (PDF).

Lighting the viaduct

Model D is reporting on an effort by 100 Points of Light to light the W. Vernor viaduct at the Michigan Central Station.

Armed with a grant from Kresge Community Arts, the group — comprised of siblings Mary Beth and Patrick Carolan and Robert Reese — propose a series of solatubes paired with chandeliers inspired by those once found in the depot that are powered by light stored in solar panels. Eventually, excess power generated would be sold back to the grid, creating the possibility that the concept becomes not only self-sustaining, but profitable.

Over the next few months, 100 Points of Light will focus on cleaning up the underpass and replacing existing bulbs with high-efficiency LEDs while planning for installation gets underway.

A better lit viaduct will be very welcomed by cyclists. The darkness makes it difficult to see road hazard. Also, it’s difficult knowing how well motorists can see cyclists there. More light would be great.

The lack of light is one reason why the W. Vernor bike lanes (to be installed next year) end before going under the viaduct.

RiverWalk progress

A DNRE official was on the Craig Fahle show discussing the cleanup of the Uniroyal site. This site is on the Detroit River between two completed sections of the RiverWalk: Gabriel Richard Park and Mt. Elliot Park. Site cleanup could begin as early as next spring. This is a necessary step before this critical RiverWalk segment can be constructed.

And this Sunday the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is leading a free guided tour of the RiverWalk from 10am until 11am at the Rivard Plaza. There are more details on their Facebook page. They are asking attendees to RSVP by tomorrow by sending an email to rsvp@detroitriverfront.org.

Reaching our goals together

There was a Greens Streets and Highways Conference in Denver this week. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood wrote about it on his blog, including this quote:

We have the tools, and are developing even more tools, to make sure that transportation doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. Highway advocates, environmentalists, car owners, truckers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and preservationists can all reach their goals–together.

No more excuses for Metro Detroit road agencies.

We need leaders who find solutions to problems rather than continuing to find problems with solutions.

Michigan’s next governor has been making some intriguing appointments that initially look favorable to biking and trails.

According to Crain’s Detroit Business, Bill Rustem will serve as the director of strategy.

Rustem will help implement the policies and initiatives needed to reinvent Michigan, Snyder’s spokesman said.

“Bill understands how to implement good policy and make government more responsive to the people it serves,” Snyder said in a statement. “Bill will help my administration implement the vision to reinvent state government so it brings value to people’s lives.”

Rustem served as Milliken’s chief staff adviser on environmental matters and as interim director of the Toxic Substances Control Commission. Milliken was widely regarded as a moderate Republican. Rustem was also instrumental in the 1976 campaign for Michigan’s bottle deposit law and helped create Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund. He is an adjunct professor at Michigan State University.

And as we noted earlier, Rustem was also a board member of the Michigan chapter of the Rails to Trails Conservancy.

Could he help us connect Complete Streets, trails, urban renewal, and youth retention within the governor’s office?

Another Crain’s article reveal Dennis Muchmore’s appointment as chief of staff.

His background includes previously serving as executive director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, vice president at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of Oakland University‘s board of trustees. Muchmore currently is on the state’s Climate Action Council and is chair of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board.

Yes, another Trust Fund person and someone who understands DNRE issues — this is good.

We’ve spoken in the past with Muchmore and he’s expressed his interest in bringing Trust Fund dollars to urban trail projects.

Election time often brings more change than just elected officials.

We received word today that the Rebecca Humphries, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment is stepping down. Humphries has been a solid supporter of our state parks and trails.

In fact, she was responsible for opening the trails to mountain biking at Cannonsburg State Game Area earlier in her career – no small feat.

She’s always been approachable and balanced. She’ll certainly be missed.

Here is the notice she sent today.

Dear Colleagues,

I wanted to let you know personally that I have accepted an offer from Ducks Unlimited to be the director of DU’s Great Lakes/Atlantic Regional Office based in Ann Arbor, beginning in January. Ducks Unlimited is an organization I have long respected, and this opportunity will allow me to continue my career in conservation.

We have made much progress in the last several months in implementing the Governor’s transition plan for our new agency. I am proud of the work we do every day to protect the environment and manage our natural resources. I am confident that this work will continue under the new administration, and that you all will sustain the same level of commitment and dedication that I have witnessed in everything you do, from the day-to-day work to the crisis situations.

For 32 years, I have been an employee of this department, and like many of you, I have worked through its many iterations and transitions. While some things change, your professionalism and passion remain steadfast, and are clearly evident in what you do.

In the next two months, we will continue to work together on the issues that affect our natural resources and environment and prepare for a smooth transition with the new administration. It has been an honor for me to work with all of you, and our paths may likely cross again in my future role with Ducks Unlimited. If you are ever in the area of my new office in Ann Arbor, please stop by to say hello.

Becky

A recent Free Press article discusses current Michigan senators running for seats on the Wayne County Commission.

It’s great to see Senator Raymond Basham mention livability — a term that’s getting much use by Ray LaHood, the U.S. DOT Secretary.

Basham, running in the 15th District, is most recently known for spearheading the smoking ban in Michigan this year. He also supported raising the state’s minimum wage.

At the county level, he said he wants to improve transportation, enforce environmental laws and create “livable cities” so residents can walk and bike in their communities.

That’s great to read.

While Wayne County has said they no longer oppose bike lanes on their roads, they haven’t built any yet claiming it’s a money issue. Still, there are funding sources that pay for adding such features and we’re not aware of the County pursuing those.

However, there are early discussions about adding bike lanes to the County’s portion of Conner Avenue in Detroit as part of the Conner Creek Greenway.

We could use a leader on this issue on the County Commission.

We should note that Basham was also a leader in the Michigan Senate. He’s been supportive of bike friendly legislation and Complete Streets, especially as Minority Vice Chair on the Senate Transportation Committee.

Basham is running in Wayne County’s 15th district which includes Romulus, Taylor, Flat Rock, Huron Township and Brownstown Township.

Detroiter Alice Cooper showed off his bike handling skills in this clip from the movie Prince of Darkness. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

So be a little extra careful if you’re riding your bike around town and have a safe Halloween.