Cyclists often speculate about why Metro Detroit doesn’t offer safer biking options.

A common culprit is our motor city heritage.

I disagree. I think it’s because we just don’t ask.

In communities where residents have effectively asked for biking options, they got them. Ferndale is a prime example. Troy could be the next one. Both communities surveyed their residents and the number one response was for better biking and walkability.

So how do you ask? Here’s a great option that’s painless and probably somewhat fun.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is hosting meetings where “the public is invited to express their opinions regarding the future of Southeast Michigan’s transportation system.”

The meetings are next week at three different locations:

• Monday, July 21, 2008, SEMCOG offices, 535 Griswold, Suite 300, Detroit; 4-7 p.m. (formal presentations begin at 4:10 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.);
• Tuesday, July 22, 2008, Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Rd, Southfield; 4-7 p.m. (formal presentations begin at 4:10 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.); and
• Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, Ann Arbor; 9 a.m.-12 noon (formal presentations begin at 9:10 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.)

Please attend one of these meeting and make your “ASK” for better bicycling facilities in Southeast Michigan.

If you’re unable to attend, you can email your comments to infocenter@semcog.org. You can also take their on-line survey.

Here are additional details from SEMCOG’s press release:

Public input is an important aspect of SEMCOG’s Direction2035 — a long-range plan serving the needs of the region’s citizens and businesses by promoting a transportation system that is accessible, safe, and reliable.

At these meetings, the public can complete SEMCOG’s public opinion survey, browse information stations to learn how the transportation system works, spend $100 in “SEMbucks” on various transportation improvements, and provide verbal or written comments.

The results will be presented to SEMCOG’s elected officials before they adopt an official investment direction that will guide the submission of projects for funding by state and local road and transit agencies. Direction2035 will be adopted in March 2010.

For more information about Direction2035, visit www.semcog.org/Long-RangeTransportationPlan.aspx.

Tags: Livingston County, Macomb County, Monroe County, Oakland County, Planning, SEMCOG, St. Clair County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 5:10 pm and is filed under Planning. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.