Novi passes non-motorized plan
Congratulations to the city of Novi!
On a 7-0 vote, the Novi City Council adopted the proposed non-motorized master plan which we’d mentioned earlier. This is the first non-motorized plan passed in Oakland County. While Troy developed one earlier, the plan was never adopted by their city council. Royal Oak’s plan is still under development.
Novi city counilmember Andrew Mutch adds, “The plan provides the framework to guide the continued development of the city’s non-motorized transportation system and includes detailed recommendations for changes to our design and construction standards and ordinances for implementing the recommendations. It also includes concepts plans and cost estimates to implement various aspects of the plan.
The master plan is available on-line along with the presentation made by the consultant before city council.
This plan was developed by the Greenway Collaborative, Wade-Trim and the Active Transportation Alliance.
Berkley adding bike racks
The city of Berkley is installing six new bike racks as part of a SMART grant.
“It’s something we’re seeing more of, and we want to see even more of,” says Tom Colwell, facility manager and parks and recreation director for the city of Berkley.
“Ultimately we’re going to put some of the racks closer to bus shelters and around town,” Colwell says. “What we want to promote is people not driving their own cars everywhere, but getting around by biking. We want to promote a healthier lifestyle.”
The city is also looking at how it could make its roads safer for bicyclists. They also passed a Complete Streets resolution recently.
West Bloomfield extending trail
The Spinal Column has an update on plans to extend the West Bloomfield trail westward to the township border near Haggerty Road.
“We will hire a design coordinator that will work with the commission on developing a design plan and preparing construction drawings,” said Parks and Recreation Commission Director Dan Navarre. “The coordinator will then monitor the construction process so it’s done according to plan.”
When it is completed, the West Bloomfield Trail will stretch out to 6.5 miles.
“We should have the design and the bids done in the fall and we may begin building in the spring of 2012 and hopefully have it finished in June 2012,” Navarre said.
Clawson examines ordinances
In 2009 we noted some of the more ridiculous rules of the road that some local municipalities have. One was Clawson’s ordinance which made it illegal to take your hands off the handlebars while riding.
This article in the Royal Oak Review talks about Clawson’s recent efforts to remove these types of ordinances.
“We are looking into all of our outdated ordinances,” Pollock said. “These are laws that are not going to be enforced.”
The city, like many others in the area, has many old and odd ordinances on the books. They range from the funny — for example, it’s unlawful to ride a bicycle without both hands on the handlebars — to the possibly illegal — it’s against the law in Clawson for a liquor license owner to allow his business to be frequented or become a gathering place for homosexuals.
