MDOT recently announced their most recent Transporation Enhancement (TE) grants. TE money comes from the federal government and it requires a local matching from the grant recipient. TE grants are a major funding source for on-road and trail development.

In conjunction to the announcement, Governor Granholm added, “Michigan’s trails are gateways to recreation and tourism opportunities that grow our economy by attracting residents and visitors alike. Not only do they provide transportation and recreation options, but they make many areas of our state more livable and desirable places to do business.” (more…)

A recent report from the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association shows more Americans are road biking.

According to the report, more than 39 million people participated in some sort of road biking at least once in 2006, an increase of more than 9 percent over 2005. Out of the more than 39 million people who rode at least once, almost 14 million were frequent riders. This group is defined as those that go on 25 or more rides a year.

The below street design concept had been proposed for Woodward Avenue from Ferndale to Birmingham. Rather than remove a traffic lane, the parking areas would have been redesigned.

A Busy City Street Makes Room for Bikes – New York Times:
“The city is planning to remake seven blocks of Ninth Avenue in Chelsea into what officials are billing enthusiastically, perhaps a bit hyperbolically, as the street of the future.

“The most unusual aspect of the design, which will run from 16th Street to 23rd Street, is that it uses a lane of parked cars to protect cyclists from other traffic.

“I think it’s a sneak peek at the future streets of New York,” said Janette Sadik-Khan, the city’s transportation commissioner. “It represents the kinds of innovative ideas that we can explore to make the streets more livable.”

Chicago eyes Paris self-service bike scheme – Yahoo! News:

“The United States’ third largest city, Chicago, may soon adopt a rent-a-bike scheme similar to the one launched this summer in Paris, mayor Richard M. Daley said during a trip to the French capital Tuesday.

“The Democrat mayor, himself a cyclist, said he was ‘greatly impressed’ with the Paris network of self-service bicycles, which has clocked up more than 3.7 million rides since its launch in mid-July.

“Riders can pick up a bike at any time of day or night, after lodging a 150-euro safety deposit. The first half hour is free, with prices rising to one euro (1.4 dollars) for every extra half hour.”

I recently came across this Traffic Justice link via a Centerlines email newsletter. There’s a lot of great info on this site.
BikeWalk.org :: National Center for Bicycling and Walking