From the Detroit News:

Police are looking for a black sports car today they believe was involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash Sunday night on Middle Belt Road.

Police said Redford Township resident John Sallman was riding his bicycle southbound on Middle Belt between Nine and 10 Mile roads when he was struck by a speeding car at about 10:45 p.m.

A witness told police he was proceeding southbound on Middle Belt when he was passed by a Pontiac G6 driving at a high rate of speed. The driver said the Pontiac then returned to the southbound lane in front of the witness and then struck Sallman, 44.

The driver of the Pontiac failed to stop and fled the scene.

Police believe the suspect vehicle may have damage to the front end as well as the windshield.

Anyone with information is asked to call the traffic safety section of the Farmington Hills Police Department at (248) 871-2630. After 4:30 p.m., call (248) 871-2610.

Middlebelt is not a Complete Street, just like most of the streets in Farmington Hills. This city’s attempt at bike friendliness is a short bike lane on one side of a road.

After reading their planning documents, it’s fairly clear that bicycles are for recreation and not transportation.

Many times there master plan (produced by Vilican Leman & Associates) states “Bike paths and/or sidewalks are installed to provide non-motorized access throughout the area.” Saying “bike paths and/or sidewalks” means either someone doesn’t understand AASHTO bicycle design guidelines or Complete Streets principles.

Sadly enough, Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services reviewed this master plan and their staff “commended” Farmington Hills.

And the city’s sustainability report (produced by Hooker De Jong) is downright delusional: “Farmington Hills will continue to develop as a community that is livable, walkable, bikeable, culturally interesting and safe.”

Bikeable and safe? Where?

Certainly not on Middle Belt — and that’s how they planned it.

According to a report on myFoxdetroit.com, a local taxi driver hit a young cyclist in Melvindale.

Ten-year-old Madeline Gomez was just doing what kids do when it’s nice outside; riding her bike. Out of nowhere a taxi hit her, knocking her to the ground and knocking out her teeth.

A decent person would stop, but that cabbie just kept on driving.

The cab driver has not yet been caught.

She told the reporter “It’ll be a long time before she can think about even riding her bike again.” How sad.

We wish young Madeline a quick recovery.

Yesterday evening, a Detroit cyclist was critically injured when hit by a driver.

From the Free Press:

Detroit Police have a 25-year-old man in custody who they believe is responsible for a hit-and-run accident that critically injured a bicyclist on the city’s west side Monday night.

The 44-year-old cyclist was hit at about 7:30 p.m. as he rode his bike on McGraw and West Grand Boulevard, ending up stuck in the windshield of the car, Detroit Police spokesman John Roach said today.

“The driver allegedly stopped the car, removed the victim from the vehicle and then sped off,” Roach said, adding that investigators believe alcohol played a part in the crash. The victim remains in critical condition today in an area hospital, he said.

ClickonDetroit also reports that according to police, “the driver took the license plates off the vehicle before driving away from the accident scene.”

ClickonDetroit has a video report as well.

MDOT recently issued this press release:

MDOT offers toll-free pothole hotline to Michigan motorists

March 31, 2010 — Freezing and thawing cycles lead to potholes in the spring. In addition to a toll-free pothole line, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has posted a form on the MDOT Web site to encourage motorists to report potholes on state roads. Reports of potholes on state roads (M, I and U.S. roads only) will be routed to the nearest MDOT Transportation Service Center (TSC).

“The pothole hotline is an easy and efficient way for residents to help us identify potholes on state roads that need to be repaired,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “We hope that residents will call the hotline or use the link on the MDOT Web site to report potholes that need attention.”

To report a pothole, call 888-296-4546, around-the-clock, seven days a week, or use the “Report Potholes” link on the MDOT Web site at?www.michigan.gov/mdot. Those reporting pothole locations are asked to provide the route name (M, U.S. or I designation), the county, the nearest community, and the closest cross street or interchange. Potholes on non-state roads should be reported to local road commissions since MDOT does not have jurisdiction over roads that are not part of the state system.

Information about how potholes are formed is available on the MDOT Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9615_30883—,00.html.

The title is misleading. Other road users, including cyclists can report potholes — not just motorists.

As you may know, MDOT has a reimbursement program if one of these potholes damages your vehicle. According to a 2004 VeloNews article, Michigan bicyclists should be able to make claims as well. The MDOT claim forms are not specific to motorists.

Still, getting reimbursed is not easy according to MDOT.

The state will consider an award only for the damages beyond what has been paid by your insurance company, and the state must have been aware of the pothole for 30 days without repairing it in order for a claim to be eligible for reimbursement.

Also note that parts of that VeloNews article are outdated due to more recent court decisions.

A 2006 court case determined that by law, counties and MDOT are only liable for vehicular travel lanes.

It also doesn’t include paved shoulders or bike lanes — bikes are not vehicles under Michigan law. On one hand, that’s good for convincing road agencies to build bike facilities (no added liability.) However, that also means cyclists are not afforded the same protections as motorists.

According to the state attorney general’s office, the liability extends beyond potholes to include:

• Rutting
• 
  Manhole covers
• 
  Dilapidated road surface
• Traveled (vehicle) lane edge drops
• 
  Missing storm sewer grates

Either way, it’s imperative that cyclists keep a keen eye on the road conditions this time year until the patching crews can get some repairs made.

Police have arrested a 49-year old woman they believe was involved in hit-and-run that left a cyclist severely injured in Fort Gratiot.

According to the Times Herald:

St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said the woman was arrested about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday after a car believed to be involved in the hit-and-run accident was spotted parked outside a residence. The woman was taken into custody after police went to the home and found her inside.

St. Clair County Sheriff Tim Donnellon said the woman was arrested about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday after a car believed to be involved in the hit-and-run accident was spotted parked outside a residence. The woman was taken into custody after police went to the home and found her inside.

This same article has a horrific picture of the damaged bike.

The Times Herald reported earlier that the cyclist, Michael Eckert was now in good condition at the St. John Hospital.