The Capital News Service ran an interesting article today on trails and their increased use for transportation.

The Lansing-based Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance also supports linking trails across the state.

It works with local and state agencies in organizing discussions and outlining criteria for selecting corridors to develop.

Nancy Krupiarz, executive director of the alliance, said her organization gears trail expansion toward a non-motorized network for bicyclists. Widening road shoulders for bike lanes and adding signs to alert motorists are part of the initiative.

“Urban trails get more use as a transportation aspect when they are well-connected to businesses and shipping districts,’ said Krupiarz.

The alliance is involved in a plan to add a non-motorized network of bike paths around Detroit. The system will connect neighborhoods, schools, parks, businesses and other major destinations around the city.

The article also discusses Detroit’s recently endorsed non-motorized master plan.

Link: Capital News Service article

There’s a new Facebook group called Detroit Trails and Greenways.

It’s a group for those interested in trail and greenway opportunities within the Cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park.

We hope this group helps get the word out to bicyclists, walkers, joggers, bladers, skaters and others throughout the area.

Link: To Join or see more details

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy hosting a Community Forum to discuss the East Riverfront and Dequindre Cut.  It will be held at the Detroit Waldorf School (2555 Burns) on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Refreshments will be served at 5:00 p.m., and the agenda will begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is asking attendees to RSVP by Friday, October 24, 2008 via email (rsvp@detroitriverfront.org) or by calling (313) 566-8206.

Link: Community Forum Information

DDOT to get Bike Racks

It began with a Transportation Riders United, MTGA, a bike petition, and others asking for bike racks on DDOT buses.

A bus rack manufacturer loaned DDOT some racks to try out on the Russell line.  Their Bikes on Buses (B.O.B.) program was started.  Meanwhile, DDOT requested funding to equip all of their buses with bike racks.

The great news is MDOT has approved that funding request.  Over a three-year period, all of DDOT line haul buses will get bike racks.

Model D Speaker Series: Bikes + Transit

Next Tuesday, October 21st, the Model D Speaker Series welcomes John Hertel and Scott Clein to the Motor CIty Movie House at the Russell Industrial Center.  The event begins at 5 PM with the presentations starting at 5:30 PM.

From Model D:

Hertel is the local transit czar, and will speak on the the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council’s recently released transit plan for Southeastern Michigan, including a light rail or streetcar system down Woodward Avenue. (Hear more about it here from Model D Radio/Michigan Now reporter Chris McCarrus.)

Clein is an engineer with  Giffels-Webster, the firm which recently helped design a non-motorized plan that calls for more than 400 miles of bike lanes in Detroit. The plan recently got approval from Detroit City Council. Read more about it here.

To sign up for this free event or to get directions, visit Model D.

We’ll see you there!

Left photo: Construction of the Antietam Bridge over the Dequindre Cut is progressing.

Center photo: Some additional landscaping has been completed at the south entrance off of Woodbridge.

Right photo: Poetry posted along the trail.  Apparently not everyone is enthusiastic about this trail project.