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Complete Streets Greenways Newsletter

News from the Trail – October 2018

Joe Louis Greenway Framework Planning

Great news! The Detroit Economic Growth Association has released a Request for Proposals for the Joe Louis Greenway (JLG) Framework Plan. Proposals are due in November with public engagement starting in 2019.

From the RFP: 

“The JLG is a 31.5 mile (estimated) family friendly, multi-use path of interwoven vehicle, transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The Greenway will connect to local and regional transportation systems, and link 186 miles of existing bike lanes and bike routes to complete a total of 243 miles of non-motorized routes across greater Detroit. This project will improve safety, economic competitiveness and quality of life, while leveraging millions of dollars in recent private and municipal investment. The Framework Plan will be comprised of the best pedestrian and bicycle design practices developed from extensive community engagement. Under the guidance of the Planning and Development Department, the chosen firm will review existing conditions, determine connections and access points, incorporate effective storm water management techniques and design a signature greenway connected to local arts culture and history.”

Eastside Bike Network

Separated (AKA protected) bike lanes were recently installed on E. Jefferson, Conner Avenue, and E. Warren. These make up the backbone for what the city is calling the Eastside Bike Network. These projects have made the road more welcoming to bicyclists and scooter users. We installed our mobile bike counters on E. Jefferson and saw daily averages of 152 bicyclists at Algonquin and 373 at Beaufait. The city recently released this brief video that explains the network. The city’s web site also has educational information on how to use them and drive around them safely.

Open Streets This Sunday

Open Streets Detroit returns to Michigan and W. Vernor Avenues this Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. We’ll be there near Roosevelt Park and the old train station. Joining us will be the University of Detroit Mercy Capstone Team whose project focuses on the proposed Rouge River Greenway.

Don’t have a bike? No worries. MoGo bikes are free during the event.

Upcoming Events

  • Free Bikes 4 Kids This new program is looking for kid bike donations as well as volunteers. You can donate your bike(s) at any one of 25 participating Henry Ford Health System/HAP locations from 9am to 2pm on Saturday, October 13th. Volunteers can sign up on their web site. This is a great opportunity to get more Detroit kids on bikes.
  • Slow Roll Mondays The rain has led to a number of cancellations so far this year, but this Monday’s forecast looks good. The ride leaves from Eastern Market at 6:30pm. Also, the city made this video about the Slow Roll that happened earlier this year in Council Member Benson’s District 3.
  • SW Ontario Bike Summit We’re looking forward to being the keynote speaker for the Southwest Ontario Bike Summit on October 28th. We’ve worked closely with the event host and our counterparts across the river, Bike Window Essex. We worked together in helping get bike and pedestrian access on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, which has officially broken ground and will be open in late 2024 — and will connect with the Joe Louis Greenway.
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Complete Streets Newsletter

News from the Trail – District 4 Meeting

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend our bike lanes meeting last week. Our goal was to get 30 people in the room and we had about 80. If you were unable to attend, John Gallagher of the Detroit Freep Press wrote this article about why the city should continue building a bike lane network.

Tonight is a Community Meeting with Mayor Duggan for District 4 residents. It’s from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Salvation Army offices, 3000 Conner Avenue just north of E. Jefferson.

If you live in District 4, please try to attend. (If you need a ride to the event, contact us.) Mayor Duggan wants to know whether or not District 4 residents support building better bike lanes within the district.

If you don’t live in District 4, don’t worry. These community meetings will come to every district. What we’re trying to avoid is having a large number of people from outside of District 4 speaking at tonight’s meeting about bike lanes. That could reinforce the thoughts of some residents that these are being built for others.

We recently captured these comments from Mayor Duggan where he emphasizes the bicycling benefits for those within the District.

Bike to Work Day

Another opportunity to influence the Mayor is Bike to Work Day on May 18th. He is scheduled to address the group at 8:15am that morning at Spirit Plaza/CAYMC.  A great turnout would show that Detroit bicycling is more than recreational. We will be emailing more information about the event soon.

Book Discount

Lastly, we have a 25% discount code to share for this new book from Island Press. As you may know, Copenhagenize has been involved in planning work for the Detroit’s Greater Downtown.

Copenhagenize: The Definitive Guide to Global Bicycle Urbanism by Mikael Colville-Andersen has been officially released by Island Press! Copenhagenizeoffers project descriptions and stories of best practices alongside informative visuals to illustrate how to make the bicycle an easy, preferred part of everyday urban life. Use 25% off discount code BIKES to order your copy from Island Press today.