There’s a new blog GoogleMapsBikeThere.org that’s leading a petition to get bike directions added to Google Maps. In other words, when you type an address into Google Maps, you could request biking directions instead of driving directions.

In some cities, there is an option to select public transit options rather than driving directions. It’s called Google Transit and Detroit SMART bus routes are included. It’s a very cool mashup.

So why not do that for bikes? Google apparently likes bikes. They sell Google bike jerseys. Their Ann Arbor office has secure bike parking. They encourage their Birmingham employees to commute by bike.

I think the biggest problem is safety. (more…)

Chicago continues to lead the charge and set the biking standards for other cities to follow. This latest news comes from the Chicago Bicycle Federation:

Today Mayor Daley introduced the 2008 Bicycle Safety Ordinance to the Chicago City Council. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, which provided input as the Chicago Department of Transportation’s Bicycle Program developed the ordinance, was happy to hear about the ordinance’s introduction. It could mean a big step in protecting bicyclists in Chicago.

This ordinance is in accordance with Chicago’s Bike 2015 Plan by increasing fines for traffic violations that endanger bicyclists, making Chicago’s rules consistent with Illinois laws and clarifying instances where motorists are required to yield the right-of-way to bicyclists.

Specific provisions of the ordinance define three feet as the minimum safe distance to pass a bicyclist, prohibit opening a vehicle door into moving traffic, increase the fines for parking in bike lanes or marked shared lanes, clarify that left-turning motorists yield to oncoming bicyclists and prohibit motorists from turning right in front of a bicyclist.

Violation of the proposed rules will result in a minimum fine of $150 and no less than $500 when the violation results in a bicycle crash. The proposed ordinance will make it easier for police to issue tickets, and for prosecutors to bring charges when motorists hit bicyclists.

The proposed ordinance was assigned to the Committee for Traffic and Safety Control.

From MDOT:

The Granholm administration today announced that nine Michigan elementary and middle schools will receive more than $1.6 million in federal “Safe Routes to School” funding for safety improvements and education programs that will encourage students to travel safely between home and school.

“We want to protect the health and safety of our Michigan children,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “This program offers our children encouragement and opportunities to walk or bike to school. These schools are to be commended for the neighborhood and community-building efforts they accomplished in developing action plans and pursuing these grants to improve safety and encourage healthy lifestyles.”
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If hikers and bikers are a truly threat to the Selfridge base then there are bigger problems than this proposed 2.5 mile trail.

From the Detroit News:

Selfridge Air National Guard base officials said Tuesday they will continue to evaluate plans for a pedestrian pathway along Lake St. Clair despite township officials’ concerns about security.

The township board on Monday night approved a resolution by a 4-3 vote urging Selfridge to take safety into consideration before approving any plans for a pathway.

Supervisor Anthony Forlini, who favors the path and voted against the resolution, said he was “disappointed” at the board’s action.

He said it is an opportunity to open up a long-closed stretch of waterfront for the benefit of township residents.

“It is a slap in the face of the residents,” Forlini said. “It is not for us to decide. It is up to the base to decide if we can do this safely.”

Read the complete Detroit News Article

I sit on Royal Oak’s Traffic and Safety Committee. The most common issue that comes before our committee is speeding on residential streets. Child and pedestrian safety drive the issue, but so does noise. Residents often ask for additional stop signs, the committee lets them know about their ineffectiveness and that we have no other options for them. Occasionally we will recommend increased enforcement, but realistically the Royal Oak police are overburdened with these requests already.

While Royal Oak doesn’t have a solution today, Ann Arbor does. They have developed a traffic calming program where residents can petition for changes that slow down vehicles in their neighborhood.  From my perspective, it’s a very realistic approach to addressing residents’ concerns.

Of course it’s relatively easy for a local governments to commit to supporting something like this. It’s quite another for them to commit to funding it. Based on their completed projects list, it appears Ann Arbor has stepped up.