We’re working to make it easier riding in Ontario.
The updated online map shows bike and trail infrastructure in Windsor and Essex County.
Some Metro Detroit trails have been added with more to come pending SEMCOG open data updates.
The multi-use pathway on the Gordie Howe International Bridge changes everything. This new border crossing means bike rides are no longer constrained to one side of the river.
We didn’t want to manually add Southwest Ontario bike and trail infrastructure like we had in Detroit. Fortunately both the city of Windsor and Essex County have this information available through open data portals. We now pull that information each night to ensure our map is up to date.
Bike sticker with a map QR code
We’ve also added some Metro Detroit trails outside of the city, e.g. Hines Drive and Downriver Linked Greenways. While SEMCOG has this data in their open data portal, it’s not designed for this use. The good news is SEMCOG is working to improve this, which should allow us to add more Metro Detroit trails in the future.
Another new feature? We now show ferry routes.
While the map only shows existing infrastructure, we had people ask about major projects that are under construction. So, the current routes for the Joe Louis Greenway, Iron Belle Trail, Windsor Loop, and Waterfront Trail can now be highlighted using their respective menu options.
More to come
There is one more item to add: Bird Canada’s bike and scooter rentals in Windsor. They don’t use docks like MoGo, so we do need to update our software. We are looking to make updates that would allow us to show Detroit’s dockless scooter, too.
Lastely, we are creating bike frame stickers with a QR code to the map. We envision bicyclists sticking this on their bike frame to make bringing the map up on their phone a little easier. We hope to have those stickers soon.
Unlike previous years, we don’t have a formal event planned for Friday, May 19th, 2023 – Bike to Everywhere Day.
Since COVID and the corresponding reduction in work commutes, we’ve switched up the former Bike to Work Day ride into a day for riding everywhere rather than driving. That’s still the case this year. Unfortunately we don’t have socks to giveaway this year.
Please tag us (@DetroitGreeway) if you post a photo or video this Friday on Twitter or Instagram.
However, we are distributing free bikes on Friday, though they’re not for everyone. They’re for our Bikes 4 Employees program participants.
B4E is a program of the Detroit Greenways Coalition. Partnering employers in 2023 who recruit bike applicants from among their employees or clients include the City of Detroit’s Blight Remediation Division of GSD, Development Centers, Flex-N-Gate, The Greening of Detroit, Henry Ford Health, Live6 Alliance, Matrix Human Services, Wayne Metropolitan, and Wayne State University. Program funders include Flex-N-Gate, Henry Ford Health, Matrix Human Services, and the United Way of Southeast Michigan. Product donations and discounts have been offered by Detroit Bikes, Kali Protectives, Kryptonite, and Trek.
Bike recipients receive new high-quality bicycles and helmets, lights, locks, reflective vests, and bike pumps. The bikes are outfitted with fenders and rear racks with clip-on packs for carrying loads.
Look for coming exciting announcements about the expansion of this program later this year.
MoGo has partnered with Avalon Bakery for free small coffees to those with MoGo passes this Friday (from opening to 10am) at their three locations:
This is going to be a banner year for trail construction in Detroit — and here’s proof. There’s now an actual banner announcing the future of the Joe Louis Greenway. The banner is located on the north side of Grand River just east of Oakman Boulevard.
The Phase 1 construction start is still pending some final environmental approvals. When those are complete, you can expect the City of Detroit to make an announcement.
You may have read the recent Crain’s Detroit Business article ($) about a local company encroaching on the city’s trail property — and the resulting lawsuit. The land in question is along Dexter, north of Oakman. While this segment is not part of Phase 1, it is a critical trail connection. We are hopeful this lawsuit doesn’t delay future trail construction.
The DLBA owns a significant number of properties across the city. Much of the land along the greenway route has been held to restrict outside speculators. Recently, some of this land was transferred to the city for Phase 1 greenway amenities, such as neighborhood connecting trails. Additional properties are available to neighbors along the greenway and this meeting will discuss those options.
This land strategy is one method the city is using to mitigate gentrification — the displacement of local residents along the greenway. Other greenway developments around the country have shared their regrets of not addressing this issue before their trails were built. We’re glad to see the City of Detroit tackling this issue from the start.
Rail bridge over Woodward in Highland Park. A Planet Detroit photo by Doug Coombe
Speed Limits
Last year we supported state legislation that clarified the modest flexibility that local governments have when setting speed limits based on factors other than just the 85th fastest motorist traveling under ideal conditions. Among many safety factors, it would allow the consideration of the road crash history, adjacent land use (e.g. parks), and the presence of pedestrians. This is aligns with recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and others.
Unfortunately that bill died in the House Ways and Means committee, but it has been re-introduced (HB 4014) and is before the House Transportation committee scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th at 10:30 AM.
We’re working to bring more support to the table from local governments to local experts, especially since we expect the Michigan State Police will oppose the bill. Individuals can email their thoughts to the committee clerk, Dakota Soda.
Other Updates
Rendering of proposed Rosa Parks Streetscape
The construction contract for the Rosa Parks Streetscape project has been delayed in response to comments at City Council. DPW has agreed to do additional community outreach. While a few residents spoke against the proposed bike lanes, there were more concerns shared about a tree nursery project which was unrelated to this contract. There was also uncertainty about whether the construction would repair the sidewalks — it would. If you live near Rosa Parks (between the Boulevard and Clairmount) and want to learn how to get involved, please email us.
The City of Detroit is updating their Parks and Recreaton Strategic Plan. They are hosting a virtual public meeting about this on Monday, February 15th at 5pm. Attend via Zoom or call in at 312-626-6799 (webinar ID: 363 140 9738).
America Walks is seeking 30 Walking College fellows who want “to be part of bringing about transformative change to their neighborhoods.” Applications are open through February 28th.
MoGo is hiring! They recently received a grant from the Better Bike Share Partnership to understand certain barriers to bike and bus transit and develop solutions to improve the connections between them. MoGo is also seeking an executive director after founder Lisa Nuszkowski announced she’s stepping down. Lisa’s done an amazing job taking the idea of bike share and making it a reality in Detroit and Southeast Oakland County. We especially appreciate system’s equity and accessibility aspects which are a model for other bike share systems around the country. We’re sad to see her leave but look forward to see where she lands.
Speaking of bike-transit connections, Amtrak and MDOT are improving the bike carrying options for the the Wolverine route out of Detroit. They are testing new passenger coach class cars, each of which include three bike racks conveniently located across from the luggage storage area. We can’t wait to see (and use) them in the near future.
