MTGA and the city of Detroit continue to partner with the Michigan AARP to bring a Complete Streets discussion to the community. From the Michigan AARP event flyer:

Join AARP Michigan for a Complete Streets Symposium

Livable communities allow people of all ages and abilities to have a range of safe travel choices. AARP Michigan supports the Complete Streets ordinances in Detroit that ensure the development of livable communities.

AARP Michigan, along with Bridging Communities, the City of Detroit and Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance will share information about Complete Streets including local examples, what the City of Detroit is doing to implement them, and how you can become involved.

Please join us at this important community meeting:

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Holy Cross Center Fellowship Hall (7060 McGraw, Detroit, MI 48210)

Light refreshments will be provided.

Call 1-877-926-8300 to register by March 5, 2012.

Adventure Cycling has just announced a new addition to their Underground Railroad Bicycle Route (UGRR). Currently the route begins in Mobile, Alambama and heads north to Oberlin, Ohio before turning east and crossing into Canada at Buffalo.

MTGA worked with Adventure Cycling and others folks — including descendants of those who used the Underground Railroad — to add a 281.4-mile route from Oberlin, Ohio to Detroit, Marine City and Sombra, Ontario.

The map for this route is now available. The cost is $11.75 for Adventure Cycling members and $14.75 for non-members.

This alternate, beginning in Oberlin, Ohio, takes cyclists around the western side of Lake Erie through historically rich Michigan. There are many sites to visit in the towns that the route goes through. In Michigan the route becomes much more urban. Because there is no bicycle-friendly connection between Detroit and Windsor the route crosses into Canada north of these cities, which were both important sites to freedom seekers.

The route does offer a balance between connecting the many historic UGRR sites while also providing a reasonable bicycle route. In other words, it doesn’t visit all the historic sites nor is it the most direct.

Within the city of Detroit, the route takes advantage of the new bike lanes installed on West Vernor and Michigan Avenue. It passes many historic UGRR sites, including the Finney Barn, Second Baptist Church, and Elmwood Cemetery.

The route also passes near the Hostel Detroit, which is expected to be a popular lodging option for cycling tourists.

MTGA continues to push for passenger ferry service to Windsor, Ontario that will accommodate cyclists. Currently cyclists need a motor vehicle to get to Windsor via the Tunnel or Ambassador Bridge. The route does provide an option for continuing north to Marine City where existing ferry service can transport cyclists to Canada.

A companion map showing the route through Ontario is under development now and is expected to be available by February 2012.

For those seeking a less ambitious bicycling tour, a 13-mile UGRR route within the city of Detroit has been developed. Brochures showing that route are also in the works.

And, the Wheelhouse Detroit offers UGRR tours throughout the summer as well though this year’s remaining tour is sold out. (Disclaimer: I lead those.)

Via the Hub of Detroit

The League of American Bicyclists recently recognized the Wheelhouse Detroit and OminCorpDetroit for being Bicycle Friendly Businesses. Both were given Bronze awards and join the Hub of Detroit, who received a Gold award last year.

Detroit now has three recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses of the seven in Michigan. Nationally, Detroit is now tied with cities like Austin and Boulder, but notably behind the leading cities like Portland and Minneapolis.

Businesses in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park that are interested in knowing more about this program can contact the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA). MTGA can provide training and assist with the application.

Having recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses also helps cities earn Bicycle Friendly Communities awards. Applying for such as award was discussed at the last Detroit Non-motorized External Task Force meeting. The city is interested in applying once some additional bicycle infrastructure projects are completed.

The Detroit Health and Wellness Promotion Department along with the Detroit Complete Streets Coalition are hosting a community workshop on March 31st from 6pm until 8pm. It will be held at the Gaelic League on Michigan Avenue in Corktown.

This workshop is on Complete Streets and how they can improve walking, biking, and public transportation in Detroit. Richard Wooten from MSU-Extension will give an overview of Complete Streets, what they look like and how they benefit everyone.

Slows BBQ is catering this event.

Please RSVP by Friday, March 25th, 2011 by emailing Myra at tettehm@detroitmi.gov or 313.870.0637.

The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance has also created a Detroit-specific Complete Streets page. It discusses the benefits of having Complete Streets in Detroit and provides some basic steps you can take to show your support.

Yes, Detroit now has more miles of bike lanes than all the other communities in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties combined.

This was part of a presentation given at the 2010 Oakland County Trails Summit this fall. That presentation is available with audio at the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance web site.

Neil Billetdeaux from JJR also presented at the Summit on the Dequindre Cut and other Detroit projects. A PDF of his presentation is available as well.