The MI Healthy Climate Plan to get Michigan to carbon neutrality was released on Earth Day. While not perfect, we were successful in getting it improved from the previously released draft. While that draft did support increased biking and walking, it didn’t make any real commitments. E-bikes, the need to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and land use policy weren’t mentioned. 

We outlined our concerns and was able to meet with Governor Whitmer's staff and the authors of the plan within the Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. While we didn’t get VMT reduction or land use in the final plan, we did get our Safe Systems Approach and e-bike purchase incentive proposals.

More recently, we met with Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist as part of an environmental listening session. We shared our concerns about the need for e-bike incentives and more non-motorized investments -- and how we need to change the status quo, auto-centric mindset.

We also presented on our climate work at the League of American Bicyclist's National Bike Summit. Smart Growth America and Paul Jones III from TRU also presented alongside us. The League said we were one of the few biking groups nationwide doing this Climate Action work, but especially with an focus on equity and environmental justice. 

The City of Hamtramck had some outdated bicycle ordinances that were restrictive for both youth and adults. They required everyone to register their bikes. They would have prohibited youth from riding on the Joe Louis Greenway. Whiuule these weren’t being enforced, it made sense to get them off the books. They were burdensome and provided no benefits. 

The City of Detroit had very similar bicycle ordinances and we helped remove them years ago. Now we've done the same in Hamtramck thanks to the leadership of newly-elected City Councilperson Amanda Jaczkowski. Ms. Jaczkowski is also an active bicyclist and supporter of the Joe Louis Greenway.

The Michigan DNR is making signficiant progress on the new Ralph Wilson trail encircling Belle Isle. Two of the asphalt multi-use path segments are done: one between the boat house and beach, and the other from just east of the DYC to the new Iron Belle Trail Gateway Trailhead. We've added these trail segments to our online map. 

The gap between these two segments as well as the remainder of the loop should go to bid later this year.

How do you improve upon a riverwalk that's been twice voted the best in the U.S.?

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is breaking ground on the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park on Tuesday, May 10th at 1:30pm. This new park replaces what's currently called the West Riverfront Park and it's going to be jawdropping green space -- a real game changer along the RiverWalk, Joe Louis Greenway, and Iron Belle Trail. It will also anchor the south end to Southwest Greenway now under construction.

Construction on phase 1 of the Joe Louis Greenway continues.The city expects it to be open for use later this year but completed next year.

They've also announced community outreach meetings for the future trail segment between W. Davison and E. McNichols. The first meeting via Zoom or phone is on May 23rd at 5pm. There will be another meeting on June 27th. 

We also were excited to read that Mayor Duggan discussed the Joe Louis Greenway with President Biden. We've come a long way in 15 years.

Detroit's Parks and Recreation Department is updating their Strategic Plan. This is the first plan to include greenways in a meaningful way and recognize their role in helping connect people to the parks. 

The city will be gathering feedback through the end of June. There will also be three open houses at the Adams Butzel (May 17th), Butzel Family (May 31st), and Patton (June 28th) recreation centers. All are from 4pm to 6pm.