Michigan Bicyclist Magazine

7/27/2019 Michigan Bicyclist Magazine

1/16

LMB Annual Awards

Reimagine Washtenaw

Survivor Storytelling Project

State Senator Rides Hotspots

Pedal and Paddle in Three Rivers

And More

Also in this issue:

BicyclistMICH IGAN

PROMOTING BICYCLING AND THE SAFETY OFBICYCLISTS ON MICHIGAN ROADWAYS

August 2013

Western UP onBike-Friendly Roll

Advocacy Day RecapPage 7

Bikes on Trains Test RBack Page

PALM Highlights StatesBikeabilityPage 3


2/16

1 MICHIGAN BICYCLIST | August 2013

Small Revolutions Create Change

What is todays date?

Wow, summer is almost

over, and time really ies

when you are having un

on your bike.

Your LMB makes havingun on your bike easy,

particularly i you enjoyed one o the our sup-

ported tours LMB oers: Pedal and Paddle,

Sunrise, MUP, and Shoreline West. I you have

not yet enjoyed one o these tours, mark it

down now or next year. I you are looking or

a un day ride, a challenge ride, or even an epic

ride, check out LMBs online Ride Calendar.

LMB started its outdoor un with the Lucinda

Means bike parade on May 22. Following the

parade, LMB was back to business with the2013 Advocacy Day. This edition reviews the

successes o Advocacy Day. Over 100 citizens

just like you attended and advocated or our

rights as cyclists. A special thank you to each

o them.

This edition also reports on the LMB awards,

which were announced at Advocacy Day. The

accomplishments o each recipient are

pressive. Congratulations to each recipien

On behal o the LMB Board, we welcome

two newly elected board members, Sarah

legrove and Sarah Sidelko. We look orwar

working with them, and sharing with us tknowledge, insight and enthusiasm. They

great additions to the Board.

Your LMB continues to advocate or y

rights, and we encourage you to join us.

can help by responding to LMBs calls o

sistance or by calling on your state or ed

legislator to support bicycle-riendly polici

Bicycle advocacy starts at home. You ad

cate or the rights o cyclists to use the ro

ways when you ride your bike. You mak

dierence when use your bike to run erranto go to events; to go to dinner; to go to a p

to go to work; or just to enjoy your hometo

Each revolution o your pedals makes a di

ence you will create change.

Create change get on your bike and ride.

STEVEN ROACH, LMB Board Chair

Michigan Bicyclist Copyright 2013On the Cover: Sam Keranen of Painesdale,Michigan (age 3 when the photo was taken inNovember, 2009) biking the non-motorized

Houghton Waterfront Trail. This 4.5 mile

asphalt path along Portage Lake is popular

with bike commuters, recreational riders,

and pedestrians. The pathway, linking parks,neighborhoods, downtown Houghton and

the Michigan Tech University campus, is anintegral part of Houghtons bicycle network and

one reason the city of 8,000 is a Bike Friendly

Community. For more information on bicycleplann ing and advoc acy in the Weste rn Uppe r

Peninsula, please see page 6. Photo by Ray Sharp.

Editor, Art & Design:JOHN LINDENMAYER

Letters/Comments/Advertisements may be

directed to:[email protected]

LMB Directors

DAVE BOURGEAULT

ERICA BRIGGS

COLLEEN BROWN

JIM CARPENTER

DAVID JONESVIC LUKASAVITZ, Treasurer

RORY NEUNER, Vice Chair

STEVEN ROACH, Chair

BARBARA SCHMID, Secretary

SARAH COLEGROVE

SARAH SIDELKO

MICHAEL SHEEAN

StafRICH MOELLERExecutive Director

[email protected]

JOHN LINDENMAYER

Advocacy & Policy Director, Webmaster

[email protected]

JENNY JENSENAssociate Director

[email protected]

The League o Michigan Bicyclists (LMB)

is a 501(c)(3) non-proit organization

devoted exclusively to the advancement

o bicycling. Our mission is to promotebicycl in g a n d in crea se th e sa ety o

bicyclists on the roadways in Michigan.

M i c h i g a n B i c y c l i s t M a g a z i n e i s a

beneit o membership in LMB, and is

published three times a year as part othe Leagues ongoing eorts to inorm

Michigan cyclists, law enorcement, policy

makers, the engineering and planning

community, and others on issues aectingbicycling in Michigan.

416 S. Cedar St. Suite A, Lansing, MI 48912(888) 642-4537 | (517) 334-9100www.LMB.org

League o Michigan Bicyclists

Printed with

recycled content

Socialize with LMB - Find us at www.LMB.org

Chie Operations Ocer or the Michigan Department o Transportation Greg Johnson (ar right) enjoys bicycling wit

MDOT sta and bicycle advocates in the Grand Region. The June 13, 2013 event was the second in a series o bicycle r

and meetings MDOT sta has hosted in an eort to better engage representatives rom the bicycle advocacy commu

across the state.


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The cover photo on this

magazine and the 2013

Ride Calendar both show

children on bicycles. It

was not by design, but

I think that it is a very

clear signal to the valueo the work LMB is doing

to promote bicycling and make the roadways

sae to ride on.

As a society, we always seem to want instant

gratifcation. Whether it is getting rom point

A to B as ast as possible; or talking on the

cell phone while we are driving, or how we

tend to check our email constantly on our cell

phones. Same goes or our eorts to improve

bikeability in our communities we want to

see major inrastructure changes happen

quickly and we want the mindset o roadway

users and politicians to change overnight.

In reality though, thats just not how it works.

We can never let ourselves get rustratedthat changes are not coming ast enough

or us to enjoy. There is a story about an old

man building a bridge who is asked why he

is building the bridge since he is so old that

he wont be around much longer to enjoy it.

He responds by saying the bridge is not or

himsel, but or the young person that will

pass by ater him.

We will not change the mindset o drivers

and politicians signifcantly over the

ew years. Nor will we convert every s

into a Complete Street within the next

years. But i we dont start now, we will n

get there. Think what Michigan roadw

would look like i 25 years ago we had pa

a Complete Streets policy. Think whatmindset o drivers and politicians woul

today i 25 years ago we had a comprehen

bicycle education program or our youth

Being a grandpa has made me realize m

than ever that what I am doing now

promote sae bicycling is not or me, but r

or my grandchildren. This alone strengt

my resolve.

From the Big WheelRICH MOELLER, LMB Executive Director

LMBs Pedal and Paddle Tour held on May 18-19 in Three Rivers, MI

was blessed with excellent weather. The local planning committee

spent months working on the event and was rewarded or their e-

orts with a great weekend to showcase the River Country area. We

want to thank all the local volunteers or their eorts.

49 riders participated in our frst Pedal and Paddle Tour held in

Three Rivers. Riders rom Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan took part

in the two-day event. The youngest was 19 and the oldest was 75.

As usual, the women out numbered the men.

Saturdays ride showcased the Amish settle-

ments and the rivers that surround Three

Rivers. Not only were we treated with see-

ing many Amish on the roads in their bug-

gies as we rode by, but the route took us

past a live arm auction, where there were

80-100 buggies tied up out ront.

We also rode by the old Rawson King Grist-

mill constructed in 1873 and hidden away

between Mendon and Vicksburg. Riders

then pedaled through the Langley Covered Bridge, which is the

longest remaining wooden covered bridge in the state o Michigan.

The bridge is named or Thomas W. Langley and amily, pioneers

who helped establish the village o Centreville in the mid-19th cen-

tury. In act, Langley was the very frst settler in Centreville.

Ater enjoying a wonderul lunch at the Covered Bridge Park on the

St. Joseph River, we headed back into Three Rivers to catch a shuttle

bus upstream where we put our kayaks and canoes in the water or

a relaxing aternoon on the Rocky River.

St. Joseph County has more than 150 miles o navigable rivers

more than any other Michigan county thus making the River

Country name tied to the county entirely appropriate. While we

only paddled a ew o those miles, participants enjoyed seeing

many highlights, including passing under the Old Grass Bridge.

That evening we were treated to a special short flm estival in the

historic Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers. This jewel has

been restored to its original grandeur and was a hit with everyone

who attended.

We started Sunday o with breakast in

Meyer-Broadway Park. The local caterer

served their amous French toast which was

a hit with everyone. We then proceeded to

explore the lakes region west o Three Riv-

ers, where riders had the chance to see the

Old Grass Bridge rom the topside the

same bridge we oated under the day be-

ore. Sundays ride had many rolling hills,

making the views spectacular.

As the riders headed home, they did so with the satisaction that

comes with a great weekend o riding. LMB and the local planning

committee are already hard at work to make the 2014 Pedal and

Paddle even better. This event, like all LMB tours, is an important

unding source or LMBs advocacy and education eorts to make

Michigan a more bicycle-riendly state. Please help us help make

Michigan a better place to ride by participating in one o our tours

in 2014. Learn more at www.LMB.org/tours.

Pedal and Paddle Receives Warm Welcome from Three Rivers


4/16


Dont be ooled by the endless

sea o pink-shirted cyclists that

rolled into Luna Pier on June 28ater six days on the road. The

PALM bike tour is not or sissies.

Wait a sec. Yes it is. And also or

babies. And seniors. And those

with disabilities. In act, or 32

years Pedal Across Lower Michigan has been empowering, educating,

and engaging cyclists o all ages, shapes and sizes.

PALM sends out a loud and clear public message that bicycling is acces-

sible to everyone. And those are not just empty words. Daily optional

add-on routes allow more riders o various athletic levels to participate

without cramping the style o aster riders. The PALM committee makessure special needs are addressed with a minimum o uss. Each years

century ride (a one-day, 100-mile optional route midway on the tour)

is dedicated to the memory o Kevin Degen, a aithul PALM rider with

cerebral palsy who was a prominent and popular role model and und

raiser or those with special needs until his death at age 52 in 2010. On

this years ride, I saw young people with autism and Downs Syndrome,

two blind cyclists, hundreds o seniors on various styles o recumbent

and tri-wheeled cycles, and countless amilies pedaling with an array

o baby trailers, youth trail-a-bikes, and even multi-rider tandems. Free

childrens activities are oered at the end o each days ride. A tireless

army o 50-75 volunteer PALM staers are patrolling the roads, stang

closely spaced rest stops, and preparing each nights site accommoda-

tions so that even those completely new to multi-day touring eel sae

and confdent about pedaling hundreds o miles across the entire state.

From June 21-28, 2013, I biked PALM XXXII rom Norton Shores on Lake

Michigan to Luna Pier on Lake Erie as part o my job or the Michigan

Municipal League, which advocates on behal o municipalities to help

build and sustain highly livable communities with a unique sense o

place. Since physical design and walk- and bikeability are key compo-

nents to that goal, PALM was a great opportunity to see what Complete

Streets progress is being made and to experience bikeability issues

across the state literally rom the pavement up.

I got a taste o bike-unriendly behavior in Norton Shores on my frst

day on the tour. Some o us were riding the shoreline drive to wet our

rear tires in Lake Michigan, a time-honored PALM tradition to christen

the start o the ride, when a driver yelled at us to get those bikes o

the road.

He was the rarity, o course. Everywhere on the route, I encountered

drivers who smiled and waved as they passed, and cars that slowed and

waited patiently behind a group o riders until they had ample clearance

to move ahead. While waiting or the light at an intersection in Clin

a riendly emale passenger rolled down her car window to ask w

we were all rom.

Everywhere! one rider called back, returning the smile as the

turned green and we all rolled orward together across the busy st

Bicycle saety education can go a long way toward ensuring both

clists and drivers understand and obey the rules to share the road s

and eciently. League o American Bicyclists (LAB) certifed instru

Al Lauland teaches a ree bike saety class every evening during PA

But unless an education component is written into new legislation

pretty much impossible to get the subject into any drivers educa

curriculum.

There is a very common misconception among motorists that bshould not be on the road. I we had some education going on m

that could change, said Lauland. Bikes are best when they act and

treated as vehicles. In my estimation, the number one compone

making Michigan more bike-riendly is to get drivers educated on

to share the road with bikes and educate cyclists on how to share

road with cars.

We rode rom Norton Shores to Grandville past rolling felds o b

berry bushes and asparagus felds, and quaint armhouses and cott

overlooking quiet wetlands and lakes. We savored a midmorning

termelon break on the shady shore o a slow-moving river at Eastm

ville Bayou Park. In Allendale, the school band boosters treated usundraising lunch o sandwiches and homemade cookies in the sh

serenaded by tuba players playing Louie Louie.

We pedaled through rainstorms rom Lake Odessa to Charlotte,

sheltered beneath a park pavilion in Vermontville, where the vi

church opened its doors to hundreds o drenched cyclists seeki

clean, dry restroom break. The night beore the tour hit Freeport

owner o the Shamrock Tavern told us shed packed more than 100

lunches in anticipation o drawing even a raction o the 800+ tou

cycling through town.

We sipped icy slushes next to a river dam in downtown Manchester

gorged on pulled pork sandwiches at the Grass Lake Diner. In Dansthe mayor greeted us in the gym o the K-12 school, joking that w

tripled the population o her village when we camped there overn

In Washtenaw County, the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society host

rest stop heaped with resh ruit and homemade cookies.

So it surprised me to learn rom route planner Gary

yon that some communities want no part o being on

PALM route, which changes each year. The reason is sim

Theyre concerned about cyclists interering with trac, said Ken

PALM XXXII: Putting the Pedal to Family RidePedal Across Lower Michigan Highlights States BikeabilitELIZABETH PHILIPS SHAW, Communications Coordinator,

Michigan Municipal League


5/16

The east side is worse than west side; everybody is in a rush. The car is

still king.

As anyone whos ever planned a tour route undoubtedly knows, Kenyon

spends months each year working out the complexities o moving hun-

dreds o cyclists saely through heavily populated communities with mini-

mum impact on trac ow. In Kent County this year, he had to nix plans to

camp at Grandville High School because it was right across rom a major

shopping mall on a busy multi-lane highway. Even so, leaving the middle

school we had to crisscross a subdivision to avoid about three miles o

heavy trac on the main road.

Complete Streets policies are slowly changing this dynamic, but the un-

derlying need to fx the states aging transportation inrastructure is a

lengthy and costly process made even more challenging by shrinking

local revenues. As o this writing, the state legislature has yet to vote on

uture transportation unding.

On Wednesdays ride rom Dansville to Manchester, PALM Mail Granny

Ellie Knesper received an email rom a sel-described concerned mom

and citizen. Heres an excerpt:

Austin (Road) is a 55 mph no shoulder road a major route or gravel

trucks which I (fnd) particularly intimidating as I am orced to be nose to

nose with them time and time again...PALM, fnd another route, a sae and

appropriate one or the sake o your riders and my children!

I certainly understood this drivers rustration trying to get past our end-

less line o cyclists. But I wonder i she realizes that her complaints ex-

actly mirror those o most cyclists? She doesnt think bikes belong on a

55 mph no shoulder road in heavy truck trac, and I wholeheartedly

agree. I would like nothing better than to always ride on a separate non-

motorized path, or on a wide paved shoulder thats marked as a dedicated

bike lane. And I think its a pretty sae bet that most cyclists eel the same.

But fnd a sae and appropriate route across Michigan where drivers are

never orced to move into the oncoming lane to pass a cyclist? To be hon-

est, Im not sure that route exists, at least not in its entirety.

And that is exactly why, even people who would never, ever ride a bicy-

cle should be standing on a soap box, demanding that Michigans road-ways be made sae and accessible or all users. I we want a physically ft

population that uses less ossil uel and engages in healthy activities that

promote amily and community interaction, then we need to support the

kind o laws and inrastructure that encourage it. Thats why PALM do-

nates $1 rom each registration ee to LMBs advocacy eorts, said PALM

Chair Kevin Novess Sr.

Rides like the PALM empower us all to share the road. Now we all need to

do our part to ensure those roads are ft to share.

Top Left: Elizabeth Philips Shaw, Communications Coordinator, Michigan

Municipal League dips her ront tire into Lake Erie at the end o PALM XXXII

Top Right: Local police and re trucks led the PALM parade celebrating therides end at Luna Pier on June 28.

Bottom: These three cycling connoisseurs use the PALM each year as an

opportunity to put aside their regular road bikes and show of their work

o art. Left to right: Dave Talsma o Swartz Creek and Her Majesty, an ANT

Truss bike, artist Mike Flanigans hand-built replica o a 1903 Iver Johnson

track racing bike; Kim Moon o Flint and Sir Walter Raleigh, a 1930s single

speed light touring Raleigh converted to a 5-speed; and Frank Rotondo o

Farmington and his hand-made Stan Ridge touring bike .


6/16


Washtenaw Avenue runs through

the heart o Washtenaw County a

fve-mile stretch o state trunkline

that connects the Cities o Ann Arbor

and Ypsilanti. The roadway is typical

o many ound in the State o Michigan:sprawling, unplanned commercial develop-

ment, with an auto-oriented design, intended to move trac and acili-

tate access to adjacent business with the automobile. The heavy trac,

peak hour congestion, high speeds, wide lanes, numerous curb-cuts, no

bike lanes, and missing sidewalks means a dangerous and unriendly

environment or all users, but particularly walkers and bikers.

Beginning in 2008, Washtenaw County led an eort to work with the

our communities through which the corridor traversed, the Cities o

Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and Townships o Pittsfeld and Ypsilanti, to re-

vitalize the corridor and re-imagine its possibilities. It made sense to

initiate this kind o eort, not only or congestion, saety and other phys-ical issues, but because the corridor is a vital transportation network. A

diverse set o institutions, commercial areas, and urban centers rely on

the corridor or exchange o goods, services, and customers. There are

two public universities, one college, two hospitals, 4,500 housing units,

and the Countys two biggest cities. US-23 also has a major interchange

on the corridor, unneling thousands o drivers every day to various des-

tinations.

The Washtenaw Avenue corridor carries about 4,000 transit users per

weekday, on top o between 25,000 and 40,000 vehicles per day. The

Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (the bus system that serves

the two largest urban areas in the County) operates a bus line along thecorridor, and is experiencing double-digit annual ridership growth. A

plan emerged in 2010 to redevelop the corridor around public transit,

pulsing high-density, mixed-use development nodes at seven strategic

locations along the length o the corridor. Encouraging development

at these strategic node intersections in conjunction with adjacent en-

hanced, modern bus stops is the key economic devel-

opment strategy or the eort.

A Complete Streets approach is being used,

which considers all users o a roadway,

not just vehicles. The communities

are reviewing bicycle lane and pe-

destrian network designs along the

entire length o the 5-mile corridor.

The communities recognize that be-

ing a multi-modal corridor, providing

saer and reasonable alternatives to

the automobile, is also an economic

development strategy. Its also a ne-

cessity, in that the corridor will con-

tinue to increase in congestion and start to ail or automobiles m

requently. By encouraging denser development, more housing,

concentrating commercial development in walkable nodes, trip len

will decrease, and drivers will increasingly use transit, bikes, and wal

as a mode o transportation, all o which reduce roadway conges

and add capacity. There is growing demand or livable, walkable cmunities with dierent transportation choices available. The ma

right now is statistically dominated by Baby Boomers and Millenn

who are both seeking livable, walkable, vibrant neighborhoods

transportation choices and access to cultural, service, and recreati

acilities.

ReImagine Washtenaw is actively working on multiple ronts to im

ment the previously-adopted 2010 vision. Reimagine Washtenaw i

ing HUD unding to review corridor alternatives or adding bike la

dedicated transit lanes, sidewalks, transit stops, mid-block cross

and other acilities that better balance auto trac with other mo

Most scenarios being considered require mode-shit to successaddress the increasing congestion on the corridor. This is not los

the planners leading the eort, so they recently brought the largest

ployers together with Smart Growth America to study Transporta

Demand Management (TDM) strategies. TDM includes a menu o

tions or employers to consider that reduce impacts at peak period

the corridor. For example, a TDM best practice may be to allow emp

ees to telecommute once per week, or provide ree bus passes o

employees, or charging more or on-campus parking to discourage

use o an automobile. An eort is also underway to allow the buse

the corridor to control the lights along the corridor, which would a

a bus to get through a green light to stay on schedule. Finally, all

communities are updating their Master Plans and Zoning Ordinancrequire compact, dense, walkable development in the uture. Appro

ate development regulations should be in place by 2014.

Washtenaw Avenue A Future Complete StreetNATHAN VOGHT, Economic Development Specialist,

Washtenaw County Ofce o Community & Economic Development


7/16

The rugged and remote Keweenaw Peninsula is known as a mountain

biking mecca, with an International Mountain Bicycling Association

Epic Ride Center in Copper Harbor, which has some o the gnarliest

single-track trails and toughest races in the Midwest, and recently was

eatured in several national magazines. Meanwhile, a core group o cy-

cling advocates have been working quietly or years to make streets in

the regions small towns riendlier or bike commuters.

The Keweenaws largest city, Houghton,

was named a Bike Friendly Community

by the League o American Bicyclists

in 2010 and Houghtons Michigan Tech

University was awarded Bike Friendly

Campus status in 2013. In order to co-

ordinate bike planning and promo-

tion eorts and reach out beyond the

Houghton city limits, volunteers rom

Houghton, Hancock, and Calumet have

ormed a new regional advocacy group,Bike Initiatives Keweenaw, or BIKE!

BIKE! ounders helped the bike and pe-

destrian committees o Houghton and

Hancock conduct a cycling survey last

all and analyze and map the results.

More than 700 people rom a two-

city population o 14,000 responded

to the on-line survey, describing their

bike commuting routes and how oten

they ride those routes in each season.

Volunteers aggregated the data and

produced maps o principal routes inHoughton and Hancock, color-coded

by total trips per season. More than

20,000 bike trips per year were report-

ed on Houghtons College Avenue and

across the Portage Lit Bridge, extraordinary fgures or an area with six

months o winter and up to 300 inches o snow per year.

Survey results including route maps, trip data and comments are used to

identiy needs and prioritize inrastructure improvements. The Hough-

ton Bike and Pedestrian Committee incorporated fndings into its Non-

Motorized Transportation Plan, which was approved by the citys plan-

ning commission and council in June as part o a fve-year master plan.The plan documents improvements to bike and pedestrian acilities

since a prior survey and bike plan was conducted in 2007, and identi-

fes projects or the next ew years, including more bike lanes and bike

racks, installation o signs or saety and way-fnding, and development

o a bike boulevard connecting West Houghton with the university area

on the east side o town.

In 2010, Houghton passed a bike-parking ordinance or apartments

and businesses, and a Complete Streets ordinance, the frst o its kind

in the Upper Peninsula. The bike and pedestrian committee flled

the Leagues on-line Bike Friendly Community application in July o

year with the intention o using it as a planning rubric and gap an

sis. Houghton was pleased to receive the bronze-level BFC award o

frst try, and has reapplied this summer in hopes o moving to the s

level. Improvements over the last three years include additional pa

bike lanes, bike parking acilities and connector trails, expanded BikWork Day and May Bike Month activ

in workplaces and schools, Sae Ro

to School planning, and plans or c

walk improvements near the elemen

and high school unded or 2014.

Also on tap or the summer o 201

a major highway repaving project

our miles o M-26 rom Hancock,

through Ripley to Dollar Bay. This sec

o two-lane state highway is avoide

local cyclists because o narrow, crbling shoulders. Through a $500

enhancement grant, MDOT will upg

bike acilities along this stretch that

Houghton and Hancock to the Torch

shoreline communities o Tamarack

Hubbell and Lake Linden. From Hanc

to Ripley, there will be a 4-oot pa

bike lane, a curb and gutter, and bey

that, a raised 4-oot multi-use path. F

Ripley to Dollar Bay, MDOT will pro

an 8-oot paved shoulder with rum

strips. The Houghton and Hancock and pedestrian committees have

with MDOT engineers several time

make suggestions and review plan

the project, including redesigned

access rom the Portage Lit Bridge to M-26. This partnership will en

that the project addresses cyclists concerns and advances the go

developing sae bike commuting routes to the Houghton-Hancock

rom all directions.

BIKE! hopes to work with government ocials in Hancock and Calu

to adopt Complete Streets policies and bike plans, to raise aware

o cycling through education and promotion, and to advocate or scycling conditions, all part o its stated mission o empowering pe

to ride bikes more oten. Local cyclists envision a uture when the

weenaw region will be known as a great place to bike or daily trans

tation, as well as or mountain biking.

For more inormation, see the BIKE! web site, www.bikeinitiativ

weenaw.org, and fnd Houghton policies and plans at www.cit

houghton.com .

Western Upper Peninsula on a Bike-friendly RollRAY SHAR P, Manager o Community Planning and Preparedness at Western U.P. Health Department and and avid bike commuter

An eight-foot asphalt non-motorized trail was installed October 2011

to connect residential and commercial neighborhoods in Portage

Township with the Houghtons waterfront and downtown area.


8/16


9/16


10/16


rom across the state emailed their rep-

resentatives to urge them to cosponsor

the bill package. In total, 161 emails were

sent to 74 separate Representatives dur-

ing the short online action. The com-

bined eort paid o, with 15 Represen-

tatives signing on as co-sponsors to the

bills. The vulnerable roadway user billswere introduced shortly ater Advocacy

Day as HB 4792 and HB 4799. Both were

reerred to the Criminal Justice Commit-

tee, chaired by Representative Heise,

who has since committed to holding a

hearing on the legislation.

PEAC was excited to be a new partner

or Advocacy Day because individu-

als with disabilities do not have an easy

venue to share ideas. Advocacy Day

provided a unique opportunity or ourstudents to share their stories, said John

Waterman, Executive Director o PEAC.

Non-motorized transportation is big or

people with disabilities. For many, non-

motorized transportation is the only way

they can get where they need to be. We

need to guarantee access or all and pro-

tect non-motorized users through policy

such as the proposed vulnerable roadway user legislation.

Ater Advocacy Day, LMB received numerous communications rom

lawmakers requesting additional copies o the various publications thatthey received during Advocacy Day including the Michigan Ride Calen-

dar, What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Knowand What Every Young Michi-

gan Bicyclist Must Know, and the Michigan Trail Director. Additionally, our

Michigan Bicycling inographic was well received (see previous page).

As a frst time attendee, I was impressed with the organization and the

enthusiasm o the cyclists who participated. It was rewarding to be able

to remind our legislators o the act that many o their constituents are

cycling enthusiasts, stated Ted W

Director o Advocacy or MMBA,

served on the Advocacy Day plan

committee.

Ater the legislative meetings, nu

ous legislators participated in our

cheon on the Capitol lawn, inclu

Representative Wayne Schmidt, C

o the Transportation and Inrastruc

Committee, who presented LMBs

Lindenmayer with a ramed copy

House Resolution 142 proclaiming

as Bike Month in Michigan.

Following the Bike Month presenta

LMB held a short annual meeting w

LMB Board Chair Steven Roach pre

ed a slate o board candidates or

membership to vote on. See page 1

more about the election.

During the Advocacy Day lunch

LMB also presented our 2013 Aw

to numerous bicyclists who emb

the mission o the organization in

work to promote and advance bicy

across the state. You can read m

about our 2013 award recipients

page 10. We once again congratulate these individuals or their e

to make Michigan a more bicycle-riendly state.

The day was concluded with a post-event bicycle tour around the CLansing, guided by Tim Potter o MSU Bikes and Andy Kilpatrick, a

cyclist and engineer or the City o Lansing who highlighted a numb

recently installed bicycle acilities around the city.

We hope you will join us in 2014 or this important day o action w

cyclists speak with one voice to improve bicycling in Michigan. In 2

Advocacy Day is scheduled or May 21.

Representative Wayne Schmidt, Chair o the Transportation and In-

rastructure Committee, presenting LMBs John Lindenmayer with a

ramed copy o a House R esolution 142 proclaiming May as Bike Month

in Michigan.

LMB is seeking bicyclists from across the state, from communities large and small, tohelp advance bicycling in Michigan. The Ambassador Program is a new LMB programaimed at building a strong network of volunteers across Michigan. An Ambassadors du-ties depend completely on you! We work with you and what you feel comfortable doing tohelp your community and Michigan become more bicycle-friendly. Involvement dependson your interest and available time. Sign up or learn more by contacting Jenny at [email protected] or visiting www.LMB.org/ambassador.

ADVOCACY DAY, cont. from page 7


11/16

Annually, LMB recognizes Michigan bicyclists that embody the

mission o LMB in our work to promote and advance bicycling

across the state. Our 2013 award recipients were honored at a

luncheon on the Capitol Lawn during the Lucinda Means Bicycle

Advocacy Day held on May 22nd.

Please join us in congratulating our 2013 honorees or their lead-

ership and dedication.

Bicycle Advocate Award

Bryan WaldmanBryan is an active bicycle racer, participating in road races, criteri-

ums and cyclecross. When not racing he is pursuing his career as

a lawyer with the Sinas Dramis Law Firm. Over the last 20 years, he

has represented numerous cyclist and outdoor athletes. Most are

cyclists hit by cars or injured in dog attacks. This past summer he

represented LMBs John Lindenmayer in his successul deense

against an Impeding Trac ticket. He authored A Legal Hand-

book For Michigan Cyclists, which is available through his frm.

He has also assisted LMB over the past year by writing positionpapers on various bills aecting bicyclists. Locally, Bryan has de-

veloped a standard letter pointing out the risks o sub standard

road conditions

that he sends to

local road authori-

ties whenever he

encounters a road

that is dangerous

or bicyclists.

LMB Volun-

teer Award

Terri RiopelleTerri has been a

long-time LMB vol-

unteer. Over the

years, she has vol-

unteered or the

Sunrise and MUP Bi-

cycle Tours and has

been a tireless ad-

vocate or bicycling

in the Alpena area.In 2012, she was in-

strumental in the

relocation o the

Sunrise Bicycle Tour rom Rogers City to Alpena, working with various

community leaders to encourage them to pursue becoming the host

city or the event. She then took a leadership role in recruiting a planning

committee made up o local residents in the Alpena area. Her tireless e-

orts helped make the frst Sunrise Tour in Alpena a huge success.

Bob Gibbs Passifor Pedaling AwaD o n n a M oDonna has been a lie lo

cyclist, and an inspira

to many since she be

long distance touringher youth in Michigan

New England. In 2003

rode across America

San Diego to St. Augus

raising $38,000 or Br

Cancer in her 76th year.

riding or her own en

ment is not the only w

she inspires bicyclists.

has been a local ride le

er or the past 12 years

continually invites n

people to enjoy the sp

o cycling. She starts e

o her rides with a sh

lecture on some aspec

bicycle saety. In 2005,

organized the frst R

o Silence event in Bo

City. In 2006, she brou

together a wide rang

stakeholders in the Bo

City area to improve interace between cyc

and motorists.

J im Dougher

D i s t i n g u i s h

Service Awa

Michael SproMichael has been a l

time LMB supporter

volunteer. In 1998 he

came a member o

Board o Directors. O

the years he has vo

teered or various L

tours and other event

addition to serving on the LMB board. He has been a tireless advoc

or bicycling in his community. He can oten be seen attending vari

public meetings vocalizing the need or accommodations or bicyc

He routinely works with bike shops in his community to make sure

See AWARDS, next p

2013 LMB Award Recipients (Top to Bottom), all

with Rich Moeller, LMB Executive Director: Bicycle

Advocate Award - Bryan Waldman; Bob Gibbs Passion

for Pedaling Award - Donna Moll (Photo of Jerry Swift

accepting the award on behalf of Donna Moll, with Bob

Gibbs); Jim Dougherty Distinguished Service Award -

Michael Sproul; LMB Volunteer Award - Terri Riopelle;

Community Support for Bicycling Award - Auburn

Hills Police Department (accepted by Officer Brian

Miller). Not pictured: Bicycle Educator Award - Fred

Schaafsma; Ralph Finneren Encouragement Award -

Re-Bicycle Lenawee.

2013 LMB Award Recipients


12/16


they have LMB educational materials and Ride Calendars. He has served

liaison with numerous local bike clubs. Michael has also advocated or s

cycling by regularly meeting with local and state politicians. He atte

LMBs Bicycle Advocacy Day each spring, and oten meets with his st

legislators when they are back in their district. Michael stepped o the L

Board in 2013 and become a member o LMBs new Ambassador Progr

where he will continue his outstanding service to bicycling in Michigan

Community Support for Bicycling Award

Auburn Hills Police DepartmentAuburn Hills Police Department (AHPD) has been a great advocate a

supporter or bicycling in Auburn Hills, MI. They have a dedicated o

that works to keep the roads o Auburn Hills sae or motorists, pedes

ans, and bicyclists. AHPD sends ocers to area health and saety eve

distributes saety booklets or bicyclists including LMBs What Ev

Michigan Bicyclist Must Know, and hosts trainings or ocers to better

derstand the Michigan Vehicle Code as it applies to bicyclists. They

perorming community outreach around local Complete Streets impmentation to ensure the public is aware o the new inrastructure

provements. The Auburn Hills Police Department is a shining exampl

how supportive a police department can be o bicyclists and other mu

modal options o transportation.

Bicycle Educator Award

Fred Schaafsma (posthumously)Bicyclists in Michigan and the Traverse City area lost a tireless bicy

educator in November o 2012 with the passing o Fred Schaasm

For his services, we honored Fred posthumously with the Bicycle E

cator Award. Fred was a member o the Cherry Capital Cyclist Club.

organized their Education and Saety Committee and worked with a

through that group to make the Grand Traverse area a better place

bicycling. He was also concerned about statewide issues and annu

attended LMBs Advocacy Day and worked with LMB sta on various

cycle saety issues. Not only was Fred a passionate educator, he loved

have un and compete. Many would say what made him so special w

his wide-ranging interests and his passion or people and his passion

cycling. He would oten remark, who is going to look out or these kid

Ralph Finneren Encouragement Award

Re-Bicycle Lenawee

Re-Bicycle Lenawee is a bicycle co-operative in Adrian, MI dedicato reurbishing donated bicycles to any person interested in riding

transportation, ftness or un. Re-Bicycle Lenawee provides bicycle sa

education and equipment along with the bicycles. Anyone is eligible

receive a bike, but their priority has always been children, the homele

those on public assistance and the working poor. The organization

no paid sta, but a small group o volunteers work with clients to rep

bicycles and educate them. They also sponsor local recreational rides a

support other community events.

LMB held their annual meeting on May 22nd in conjunction

with the 2013 Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day. The

annual meeting was held in Lansing during the luncheon

on the Capitol Lawn where LMB Board Chair Steven Roach

presented a slate o board candidates or the attending

membership to vote on.

LMB is pleased to welcome Sarah Side-

lko to the LMB Board. Sarah was part o

the initial core-group that developed

and coordinated Back Alley Bikes (De-

troit) in 2001-2007. In the Fall o 2009,

she helped to co-ound Fender Bender

Detroit. Fender Bender is a women,

queer and trans centered bicycle workspace rooted in jus-

tice principles that values the bicycle as an accessible and

air transportation option and also as a vehicle or trans-

ormation within Detroit. The Fender Bender Detroit shop

also organizes a bi-yearly seven week mechanic training se-

ries, public-access repair hours, community conversations,

group rides, private tours, as well as sells and rents reur-

bished bicycles. Sarah has also worked closely with Wheel-

house Detroit as an employee, and currently teaches on-sitebi-monthly bike maintenance classes.

We are also excited to welcome Sarah

Colegrove to the board. Sarah has

been practicing law or 21 years. Her

frm, Briggs Colegrove, P.C., oten help

athletes injured in bicycle and sports-

related accidents. She co-authors

articles or the LMBs Michigan Bicy-

clist Magazine that address legal issues acing cyclists. She

serves on the Board o Directors o Back Alley Bikes in De-

troit, and is an avid cyclist. Sarah looks orward to serving

on the Board o Directors to help urther the LMBs goal o

promoting cycling and saety on Michigan roadways.

Rounding out the election slate, Rory Neuner o Lansing

and Jim Carpenter o Redord were both reelected to serve

another term on the LMB board. Jim ormerly served as

Board Chair and Rory currently serves as Vice Chair.

LMB Holds Annual Meeting Welcomes New & ReturningBoard Members

AWARDS, cont. from page 10


13/16


14/16


In June the Michigan Department o Transportation (MDOT) partnered with

T.Y. Lin International to conduct a series o Training Wheels courses in com-

munities throughout Michigan. The bicycle acility design program is now

in its 8th year o helping to educate Michigan planners, engineers, and other

community ocials and stakeholders about the benefts o on-road bicycle

acilities and how to properly design them. The fve communities hosting

this years training included Manistee, Grandville, Dexter, Coldwater, and

Niles. Each community was encouraged to invite neighboring communities

and approach incorporating bicycle acilities rom a regional perspective.

Each session had up to 25 participants and lasted rom fve to six hours. Se-

nior transportation proessionals rom T.Y. Lin, Nate Rosenberg, P.E. and Mike

Amsden, AICP, began each class with a two hour presentation or communi-

ty stakeholders on the design criteria o various on-road bike acilities based

on updated guidance rom the American Association o State Highway O-

fcials (AASHTOs) Guide or the Development o Bicycle Facilities 2012.

Following the presentation, participants rode a bicycle route planned by

the host community with assistance rom MDOT, and T.Y. Lin. The route

was designed so participants could experience a variety o common road

cross-sections, some with bicycle acilities such as bike lanes or shoulders,

and some without these acilities. The group stopped at key points along

the route to discuss possible solutions or applying bicycle acilities to give

cyclists a more comortable place to ride on the road.

To conclude the class and synthesize the inormation rom the classroom and

bike tour, participants were divided into small groups and provided with an

aerial image o a primary or typical road condition in the community. They

were asked to brainstorm how these roads could be redesigned to better

accommodate bicycles. Each group then sketched their design on the aerial

map and presented their ideas to the other participants. The purpose o this

exercise was to help community stakeholders see dierent approaches to

the same roadway or intersection, while also providing the host community

with ideas or incorporating bicycle acilities ater the course.

Training Wheels

DAVE HARTWELL, Vestry Member

Saint James Episcopal Church

Saint James Episcopal Church in Grosse Ile, Michigan cel-

ebrated the 2nd Annual Blessing o the Bicycles on Sunday,

April 21, 2013. The weather was heavenly and the response

rom both our church amily and the Grosse Ile communitywas enthusiastic.

The aternoons activities began at 1 pm or those cyclist

who arrived to take advantage o ree Earth Day bicycle saety

checkups. Tire pressure checks, seat height adjustments, and

brake inspections were some o the services provided by Sain

James church amily volunteers. The Blessing o the Bicycle

ceremony started just ater 2 pm as the steeple bell in the his-

toric Saint James Chapel rang out.

Ater a warm welcome to everyone in attendance, Father Phil

accompanied by his guitar, led us in singing the hymn How

Great Thou Art. Ocer Julie Cortis o the Grosse Ile Police

Department then read verses rom the book o the Prophe

Ezekiel (1:15-21). Father Phil spoke to us about the invention o

the bicycle and how it, much like the home computer, has em

powered people by expanding our worlds and enriching ou

lives. Ater leading us in prayer, he blessed all the bicycles, mo

torcycles, and other wheeled vehicles with holy water. Fathe

Phil then made the ollowing benediction, May the road rise

to meet you. May the wind be ever at your back. May all you

journeying be joyous. And until we meet again, may the Lord

hold you and your bicycles in the palm o his hand. Amen.

Ater a brie saety talk by the Grosse Ile Police Department, wedeparted or a short ride, complete with a police escort.

A good time was had by everyone and we look orward to

hosting the 3rd Annual Blessing o the Bicycles next Spring.

Blessing of the BikesALY ANDREWS and DEBRA ALFONSO,

Michigan Department o Transportation, Intermodal Policy Division

Join the conversation on the new MichigBicycling Forum at www.LMB.org/foru

Training Wheels participants in Grandville, MI learn about potential on-road bike facility options.

Photo

courtesy

MDOT


15/16

Annual Memberships q New q Renewa

Membership/Donation

q I n d i v i d u a l / F a m i l y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3

q Organization/Club/Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6

q L i f e - I n d i v i d u a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4 5 (3-Pay Plan - $170/y

q Life-Organization/Club/Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100

(3-Pay Plan - $350/

Name

Contact (for Shops/Clubs/Orgs)

Address

City State Zip

Phone

E-mail

Website

Membership Total

Additional Donation Total

Grand Total $

Join, renew, or donate by check or credit card tod

Please make checks

payable to:League of Michigan Bicyclis

q Visa

q MasterCard

q Discover

q American Express

q Im interested in volunteering with LMB

Name on Card

Card #

Card Address (qSame as Above)

Expiration Date (mm/yy)

Signature

Donations(tax deductible)q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50

q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2 5

q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12

q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $

q Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $_ __ ___

Bikes on Trains, Cont. from back page

booth (two total) Amtrak made ample

room or our angled bike racks. The racks

have a oor base that the bicycles ront

wheel sits in and use simple bungee style

tie downs to secure the bike tight against

a padded posts that supports the bike in

multiple places.

The prototype racks are a vast improve-

ment over their initial design. All in all, LMB

is very pleased with the new design. While

the racks were relatively intuitive, we did

encourage Amtrak to

provide signage with vi-

sual instructions on how

to use the racks. When

we tested the racks, the

ca car was empty, so

we also noted that it

could be a bit more di-fcult to board the train

and park your bike dur-

ing peak times.

Our biggest concern was

not so much about the

racks themselves, but

simply about the board-

ing process. Without raised platorms at

most Michigan stations, a bicyclist must

carry their bike through a very narrow

door and up narrow stairs, beore makingan immediate 90 turn to get into the ca

car. We were traveling light during the test

ride, but having additional luggage would

likely make the boarding process more di-

fcult. This problem can likely be addressed

by having Amtrak attendants available to

help bicyclists with the boarding and de-

boarding process. Since bicyclists will be

required to reserve space or their bicycles

in advance, however, Amtrak would know

when and where bicyclists were getting on

and o, and could have an attendant avail-able to assist.

The current racks will not accommodate

non-traditional bicycles such as tandems,

recumbents, tricycles, or oversized items

like pull behind trailers. We are optimistic

that in the uture Amtrak will be able to ac-

commodate these larger bikes within the

baggage cars currently under construction.

Lastly, LMB encouraged Amtrak to oer

bike service at no additional cost to passen-

gers, as is currently the policy on a number

o their lines across the country including

the Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin, Pacifc

Suriner, and Piedmont lines.

Pending the eedback rom the Michi-

gan bicyclists involved in the May 15th test

ride, and a previous demonstration that

involved bicyclists rom Active Transporta-

tion in Chicago as well as the Illinois DOT,

Amtrak plans to system-

atically install bike park-

ing within existing ca

cars. Due to unding cuts

caused by the sequestra-

tion, however, Amtrak

is currently unable to

comment on how long itwill likely take to modiy

enough o the existing

ca cars to ocially oer

this as a service on Michi-

gan lines. They currently

plan to retroft ca cars

one at a time as the cars

are brought in or service.

To make the service widespread across

Michigan they will need to convert at least

seven to nine ca cars to ensure consistent

service across the system.

Amtrak considers expanded rail travel one

o the solutions to address climate change

and trac congestion. Marrying passenger

trains and bikes is a no-brainer and a win-

win or the traveling public. Well continue

our work at making it easier or our custom-

ers to complete that last mile to or rom our

stations, whether on oot, by transit, or on

a bike, stated Derrick James, Director, Gov-

ernment Aairs - Central Amtrak.

While bikes on trains is still not yet a reality

in Michigan, LMB is pleased that we contin-

ue to make positive strides towards accom-

modating bicyclists. We sincerely thank

Amtrak and MDOT or inviting us to partici-

pate in the demonstration ride and we look

orward to promoting the new service once

it is ocially available across the state.


16/16

LMBs bikes on trains campaign took a major step orward recently,

with an Amtrak demonstration ride that took place on May 15th. The

demonstration was aimed at generating eedback rom bicyclists on

new prototype bike rack design Amtrak is feld-testing.

Amtrak and MDOT organized bicyclists to board and deboard Train#350 at various legs along the Wolverine service route. Bicyclists par-

ticipated at stops in Chicago, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Jackson, Ann

Arbor, Detroit, and Royal Oak.

John Lindenmayer, LMBs Advocacy & Policy Director and Rory

Neuner, LMBs Board Vice Chair were along or the demonstration

which showcased a recently retroftted ca car outftted with an-

gled bike parking to accommodate our bicycles.

Amtrak currently does not allow bicycles on board most o their

Midwest routes, including all that pass through Michigan. For the

past several years LMB has actively lobbied Amtrak to change their

policies and urged them to modiy their existing cars with bike racksto help bridge the last mile problem many commuters and poten-

tial commuters ace.

The connection between bicycling and transit is undamental,

said Lindenmayer. Passengers can currently travel rom community

to community by Amtrak, but how do they get to where they need

to go once they step o the train? Allowing bikes on trains will pro-

vide seamless multi-modal connections or passengers, giving them

options to travel to and rom train stations by bike.

With Michigan being home to over 300 annual bicycling events

each year, with a number hosted in or near Michigan communities

serviced by Amtrak, many Michigan communities could also ben-

eft rom increased tourism spending rom both in and out o state

bicyclists.

Thats why LMB is excited Amtrak is taking positive steps to accom-

modate bikes on board trains servicing Michigan and applaud them

or responding to the requests o the Michigan cycling community.

LMB worked to ensure that bicyclists were included in the Michi-

gan State Rail Plan, said Lindenmayer, and we delivered a petition

that collected over 3,500 signatures in a short period o time urging

Amtrak to accommodate bicycles on Michigan service lines. Thomas

C. Carper, Amtrak Board Chairman at the time, responded avorably

stating, Amtrak has placed an order or 130 new, single-level cars.

This order...includes 55 new baggage cars and 25 new baggage-

dorm cars. These two types o cars will be equipped with bicycle

racks.

Additionally Carper stated, Amtrak Mechanical has been working

on designs to retroft ood service cars used on some Michigan ser-

vices to accommodate bicycle racks. One design has been tested

and proved unsatisactory, but our design team has developed analternate solution based on what was learned rom the initial design.

LMB provided eedback on that initial design, which indeed proved

unworkable, as it had three parallel oor wheel racks that were

boxed in on three sides. The tight spacing made it nearly impossible

or it to be used by more than one bicyclist at a time.

The May 15th demonstration, however, showcased Amtraks take

two on a proposed ca car retroft. By removing an additional

MICHIGAN

BICYCLIST

416 S. Cedar St. Suite A, Lansing, MI 48912

NON-PROFIT OR

US POSTAGE PAI

LANSING MI

PERMIT #686

Dated Material: August, 2013

LeagueoMichiganBicyclists

@MIBicyclists

Amtrak Bikes on Trains Demo LMB Along for the Ride

Rory Neuner, LMBs Board Vice Chair and John Lindenmayer, LMBs Advocacy & Policy

Director with Derrick James, Director, Government Aairs - Central Amtrak during theMay 15th bikes on trains demonstration ride.

See Bikes on Trains, page 14

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