Just a reminder that all posts on this bike advocacy web site belong to those of m-bike.org. ?They do not necessarily represent the views of other bike advocacy groups such as the LMB or MTGA.

Last year we noted that events like the Ride of Silence do not encourage more people to ride bicycles. Rides modeled after funeral processions aren’t going to get more people riding. It reinforces the perception that bicycling is dangerous.

And discouraging cycling makes it less safe for everyone — studies show there’s safety in numbers.

It’s clear to see just how discouraging this event is when you compare it side to side with another event: the Race for the Cure. Their message is absolutely positive, which explains their explosive growth through the years. The first Detroit race was in 1992. In 1998 they had over 21,000 participants. ?Over 30,000 are expected for their race this Saturday at Comerica Park.

The Race for the Cure color? Pink.

The Ride of Silence color? Black.

And this year cyclists can honor those killed by motorists by riding not riding on the road. One can ride on the velodrome in Rochester Hills, but presumably not at the prescribed 12 MPH.

If you truly want to improve local cycling conditions in Michigan, call your state representative and ask them to support House Bills 6152 and 6153. There’s more information on these at www.michigancompletestreets.org.

Don’t be silent.

Yesterday evening, a Detroit cyclist was critically injured when hit by a driver.

From the Free Press:

Detroit Police have a 25-year-old man in custody who they believe is responsible for a hit-and-run accident that critically injured a bicyclist on the city’s west side Monday night.

The 44-year-old cyclist was hit at about 7:30 p.m. as he rode his bike on McGraw and West Grand Boulevard, ending up stuck in the windshield of the car, Detroit Police spokesman John Roach said today.

“The driver allegedly stopped the car, removed the victim from the vehicle and then sped off,” Roach said, adding that investigators believe alcohol played a part in the crash. The victim remains in critical condition today in an area hospital, he said.

ClickonDetroit also reports that according to police, “the driver took the license plates off the vehicle before driving away from the accident scene.”

ClickonDetroit has a video report as well.

Distracted drivers are a major source of traffic accidents. According to the US DOT’s distracted driving web site, “Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (NHTSA)”

Pedestrians and cyclists make up a significant portion of road fatalities, so this is a major problem in our eyes.

The Michigan Legislature has been working on a texting ban — a good start to addressing this issue. Today the House passed a bill making texting while driving a primary offense, just as the Senate recently did.

It doesn’t sound ideal, but according to mlive:

Matt Bolger, a Michigan State Police legislative liaison, said distracted driving is reckless driving. The texting ban is another tool in the traffic safety toolbox officers will use when observing driver behavior on Michigan roads and highways.

And according to the Free Press, this legislation just needs a companion bill before it can head to the Governor.

A main sponsor off the bill Rep. Lee Gonzales, D-Flint, said the law would take effect July 1.

“We’re not going to put the hammer down on people,” Gonzales said, adding that it will take time for the public and police to be come accustomed to the law and how to enforce it. He said the law will make Michigan roads safer.

Given the carnage, we say go ahead and put the hammer down now. Keep the points and keep it on driver’s records.

From what we can tell, this legislation does not apply to bicyclists that text. The bill was written for motor vehicle operators as opposed to the more generic vehicle operators.

SEMCOG issued a press release highlighting their analysis of the 2009 crash data. When it comes to their non-motorized crash analysis, we find it to be very superficial. This year is no different.

We did more year-to-year comparison and found some unreported and disturbing trends.

What SEMCOG says: “Bicycle crashes down – Traffic crashes … involving bicycles decreased just less than one percent in 2009 from 2008. There were … 967 crashes involving bikes in 2009.”

What the data shows: While there were fewer total bicycle crashes, that is primarily due to there being fewer minor crashes that left the bicyclist uninjured. Incapacitating injuries among cyclists increased significantly. The number of serious (fatal or incapacitating) bicycle crashes are up over 16 percent!

This is especially alarming given that statewide bicycling fatalities are down 24%. And, motorist fatalities within the SEMCOG region dropped by 5%.

In 2009, 47% percent of all Michigan bicycle fatalities were within the SEMCOG region as opposed to 36% in 2008.

The number of bicyclists involved in a crash increased slightly this year as well.

What SEMCOG says: “Pedestrian crashes down – Crashes in Southeast Michigan involving pedestrians totaled 1,180 in 2009; this represents a two percent decrease from 2008.”

What the data shows: While pedestrian crashes are down, pedestrian fatalities are up 4.5%. Statewide, pedestrian fatalities are up 6.1%.

In 2008, non-motorized fatalities made up 21% of all road fatalities within the SEMCOG region. In 2009, that percentage climbed to 23%.

Also in the press release, SEMCOG Executive Director Paul Tait says, “We are happy to report this continuing decline in traffic crashes in Southeast Michigan. A number of factors contribute to this downward trend, including the poor economy, higher gas prices, fewer vehicle miles traveled, and higher safety belt usage.”

If higher gas prices and fewer vehicle miles traveled meant safer roads in 2009, then why aren’t those goals within the Michigan’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan? It’s obvious that one of the most efficient ways of decreasing serious road injuries would be to reduce the vehicle miles traveled. It’s proven itself in 2009, yet it’s not part of the plan to improve road safety. Why not? Is the lack of political leadership trumping safety?

And, SEMCOG’s Camine Palombo commented on their analysis by concluding, “Finally – some news we can be proud of!”

We don’t agree.

Last year the city of Detroit received special funding for improving non-motorized safety along West Vernor Avenue in Southwest Detroit. This work is related to last July’s walkability audits with Dan Burden along this same stretch of roadway.

Now the city is hosting an open house to discuss their plans to improve safety along this corridor, including bike lanes.

Here are more details from the city of Detroit Traffic Engineering department:

Vernor Ave (Waterman to Lansing) Corridor Safety Improvement Project

Come to this open house to learn more about plans for traffic and safety improvements along the corridor, including new crosswalks, upgraded traffic signals, and changes to striping and lane use on Vernor Avenue. This project is intended to promote pedestrian and vehicular safety and the vitality of the area.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Most Holy Redeemer Church
1721 Junction St. in Detroit (Southwest corner of Vernor and Junction)
Meet in the “Blue Room”

For more information, contact Prasad Nannapaneni at 313‐628‐5603