In town? Slow it Down!

I would like to announce a campaign for community wide support to limit the upper speed limit on ALL roads within the Traverse City, city limits to 25 MPH (or less).

It is unjustifiable by any logic to have traffic whizzing along at 45 miles per hour and often more, through neighborhood areas putting lives at risk. That extra minute or two added to your travel time will contribute toward the safe movements of our youth, differently enabled, and older adults.

8 / 80 : We Are The People of Traverse City
Our goal is to contribute to the creation of vibrant cities and healthy communities, where residents live happier and enjoy great public places. We promote walking and bicycling as activities and urban parks, trails and other public spaces as great places for ALL. These activities and public spaces improve our environment, advance economic development, boost and complement our transportation systems, make better recreation for all, and enhance our personal and public health.

Eighth Street redesign prompts criticism
Biking enthusiasts and neighborhood residents flooded Traverse City commissioners with hundreds of e-mails this week, most of those critical of a proposed Eighth Street reconstruction that doesn't include bike lanes or dovetail with the city's master plan. The city planned to break ground on an $850,000 redesign of Eighth between Garfield Avenue and Barlow Street in April, but Mayor Chris Bzdok wants the commission to consider hiring a firm to issue another opinion about whether bike paths and improved pedestrian crossings can be included in the project. The commission will discuss the issue when it meets Monday at 7 p.m. in the Governmental Center. Bzdok recently criticized City Engineer Tim Lodge for allegedly piloting a street design inconsistent with the city's master plan "under the city commission's radar" over the last two years.

Dear Honorable Mayor Bzdok and City Manager Bifoss
I sit on the Cherry Capital Cycling Club Board and have worked extensively with the Broke Spoke Bicyclists Cooperative. In that capacity I teach classes such as Core Skills for Women and Girls, and Cycling Safely. Traverse City bike shops are experiencing burgeoning sales. Never before have we experienced so many cyclists, new and experienced, that seek to enjoy a healthier lifestyle on Traverse City streets riding two wheels. In my classes, time and time again the one biggest concern that is expressed by participants, is the fact that Traverse City does not have safe roads for people to ride their bikes around town. Women and younger people are especially vocal about wanting to ride safely and not feel like cars are whizzing by precariously close, or worse road rage. One person said it quite succinctly, "The TART is a start, but it doesn't get us where we need to go." The TART trail is a wonderful recreational trail, but it is not an effective part of a citywide bicycle oriented transportation system. Eighth Street, for instance, would be a corridor of choice for many cyclists as it leads to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and across town (of only it were striped for cyclists, and the traffic was calmed). Many factors contribute to "creating community." But one of the most effective ways is to create more opportunities to smile, meet and greet other people in a convivial way face-to-face. Cycling, walking, and rollerblading create opportunities to create social interaction, strengthening our community and our neighborhoods. Traverse City is not alone in the challenge to create safe streets and opportunities for cars and human powered vehicles to share the road. We are however ahead of the curve in many ways, and need to catch up in others: READ LETTER

If you haven’t done so already, please Contact the city manager & city commissioners today. Come voice your opinion or give support Monday night February 8th at 7PM. Click Here to Email all City Commissioners 

An Overview of 8th Street Debacle by Mayor Bzdok
If you care about what this street will be for the next 25 years, the city commission needs to hear from you. I want to fill you in on what is planned for 8th St, on my efforts to give the city commission some choices about the design of this project, and my suggestion for where we go from here. 8th St will be reconstructed this year from Garfield to Barlow. It’s a roughly $850,000 project with about $230,000 of stimulus funds. The old and new master plans, the Grand Vision, and other documents and discussions call for 8th St to be a complete street, with new pedestrian crossings and bike lanes. Our city engineer decided not to include bikes or new pedestrian crossings, but never informed us of that. I’ll be the first to admit it: I get emotional when it comes to bike lanes. But the issue is, who’s in charge here? The city commission, through our master plans and policies? Or the city engineer, who can overrule our plans and policies and not tell us?

The Traverse City Master Plan :

September 28, 1994

The old city master plan is enacted. This master plan was in effect until the new master plan was adopted on August 3, 2009. It specifically says future improvements of East 8th St need to include bike lanes and better pedestrian crossings:

Pedestrian and Bicycle Travel

There are areas within the community that are vehicle-oriented, where driving is encouraged and walking is made difficult. Numerous driveways, obstacles, and lack of sufficient rights of way to develop adequate sidewalks contribute to an environment hostile to the pedestrian. East Eighth Street, Fourteenth Street, Division Street, Garfield Avenue, East Front Street and Peninsula Drive are examples of roadways where the needs of the pedestrian and bicyclist must be taken into consideration. Roadway improvement designs must consider the needs of the pedestrian and bicyclist by incorporating sidewalks and bike lanes. In order to provide a sense of security for the pedestrians, sidewalks need adequate separation and clear demarcation from the roadway. Appropriate building concentrations at easy walking distances from bus stops and residential areas, plus interesting, lively street edges invite walking and biking. Lighting, landscaping, benches and public art are also encouraged, as they enhance the sidewalk environment. Pedestrian crossings should be clearly marked and lighted. (Page 4.6, the emphasis is mine).

2008 and 2009

The new master plan does not address specific locations, but rather gives directives for types of neighborhoods. The stretch of 8th Street in the project area is part TC 4 Corridor Neighborhood (between Garfield and Rose St), and part TC 3 Traditional Neighborhood (between Rose and Barlow).

TC 4 Corridor Neighborhood says: “Bike lanes incorporated with street markings along major streets.” There is even a photo of a bike lane with the caption “Bike Lanes” on page 15.

TC 3 Traditional Neighborhood says: “More formal designated transportation access (sidewalks, bike lanes, alleys).”

The new master plan also has 7 “Core Principles.” One of them is “Transportation choices are important to our vitality and environmental health.”

It also has 9 Goals. One of them is “Become pedestrian friendly and encourage more energy efficient, environmentally friendly transportation choices.”

 August 3, 2009

City commission accepts the new master plan. The text about bike lanes in those neighborhoods, and transportation choices being a core principle and goal, is included.

If you haven’t done so already, please Contact the city manager & city commissioners today. Come voice your opinion or give support Monday night February 8th at 7PM. Click Here to Email all City Commissioners 

City Engineer interfered with 2nd opinion
City Engineer Tim Lodge not only disregarded the city's master plan when he crafted a reconstruction plan for Eighth Street, he also interfered with a second opinion on the project, Mayor Chris Bzdok contends. Last month, Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails Inc., contacted local engineering firm Gosling Czubak to commission a "concept drawing" of the section set to be reconstructed. Gosling said bike paths could be included in the reconstruction, provided certain sections of the road are widened, TART director Bob Otwell said. But Gosling eventually told the city it may be too late to make project changes, Otwell said. That decision came not long after Lodge placed a call to Gosling officials, and Bzdok contends Lodge's call inappropriately interfered with the second opinion.

Mayor questions Eighth St. redesign plans
Mayor Chris Bzdok can't figure out why bicycle lanes and pedestrian crossings weren't included in plans to reconstruct a busy section of Eighth Street. Bzdok is an avid bicyclist, but that's not why he's scratching his head. The city's past and current master plans either explicitly or generally call for bike lanes and crossings along Eighth and other city streets, as does a regional planning concept dubbed The Grand Vision, and other documents. Bzdok wonders why all that seemingly was ignored when City Engineer Tim Lodge crafted an $850,000 redesign of Eighth between Garfield Avenue and Barlow Street, a project set to break ground in April.

Better Bikeways
To be successful bike route signage must accomplish two tasks: make motorists mindful of the presence & rights of cyclists, and provide useful route information to the cyclists themselves. Most current bike signage takes on the first problem (with decidedly mixed results) and all but ignores the second. The Better Bikeways system is an attempt to address these shortcomings.

Traverse City Makes “Complete Streets” a Top Priority
Yet another Michigan city has recognized the link between infrastructure and livability, and stepped up it’s commitment to safe infrastructure for walking and biking. Yesterday we heard from Traverse City Mayor Chris Bzdok, who wrote to inform us that the City adopted a new infrastructure policy in September — one that includes an emphasis on complete streets. The policy makes an expressed bias in favor of sidewalk and bikeway construction. See more over at http://www.ci.traverse-city.mi.us/Policy/InfrastructureStrategyPolicy.pdf The City will dedicate 10% of its infrastructure budget to sidewalks, bikeways and other people-friendly infrastructure, the highest known percentage commitment of any municipality in the state of Michigan. MORE IDEAS CLICK HERE

Support Our “Share the Road” Initiative in Traverse City
Riding on the roads around here is pretty darn cool. Generally we have good roads and our town is not so big and fast that we have to worry too much about crazy fast and reckless auto drivers. Still, it can always be better because we have a lot of big SUVs that hog the road and many roads do no have paved shoulders. Last February Dennis Bean-Larson, of the “Fixed Gear Gallery” decided to launch an inititive to increase awareness of bikes on the road, and to help promote an even more bicycle-friendly Traverse City. Commuting has increased on our roads tremendously and sometimes auto drivers just don't know what to do with us. So, we drafted a letter to our Assistant to the City Manager outlining several ways that we could improve this situation and ways that the bicycle community could help the city with all this. Please support the "Share the Road" inititive in Traverse City with your time and money. Contact Bob Otwell at bob@traversetrails.org

Complete the Streets
The League of Michigan Bicyclists and Traverse Alive ask the State of Michigan to:

• Require the State roadway system to accommodate safely all users of the public right-of-way, including pedestrians, people requiring mobility aids, bicyclists, and drivers and passengers of transit vehicles, trucks, automobiles and motorized cycles.

• Require all MDOT employees involved in planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of the State transportation system fully consider the needs of non-motorized travelers.

• Require all recipients of Act 51 Funds to adhere to the state’s “Complete Streets”

The Last Friday Each Month at 5:30pm
Community Bike Ride
...a convivial event for cyclists of all ages and abilities

See you in the spring Friday at 5:30pm

Join your neighbors and friends on a group bike ride through Traverse City. Feel the joy at zero gallons per mile.

• Zero Gallons Per Mile
• Celebrate Community
• Increase Bike Awareness
• Fun for the Entire Family
• Enjoy Car Free Social Time
• Promote Bike Safe Roadways
• Human Powered Transportation
• Become the Change We Want to See
• Group Rides are a Safer Way To Bike
• Respect the Earth and Care for Your Body
• Riding as a Group "En Masse" is an Enjoyable Way to Bike

Join Us at the “Open Space” MAP
Downtown Traverse City past the north end of Union Street at Grandview Parkway.

Can't Make it by 5:30? No problem
Join us as we ride past “Horizon Books” on Front Street (between 5:50 & 6:00 pm). We'll be looking for you.

Rainy Day Information
If you wish to receive a mobile telephone text alert due to last minute weather cancellations, please click here. In the event this Community Bike Ride is rained out, our make-up-date is always the following Friday at the same place and time advertised.

You Look Wonderful in Your Helmet
If there is anything between your two ears that you care about (fond memories, facts, pop culture, trivia, etc.), consider protecting it. Please wear a bike helmet every time you ride.

How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities
A growing number of Americans, mounted on their bicycles like some new kind of urban cowboy, are mixing it up with swift, two-ton motor vehicles as they create a new society on the streets. They’re finding physical fitness, low-cost transportation, environmental purity. In a world of increasing traffic congestion, a grassroots movement is carving out a niche for bicycles on city streets. Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities explores the growing bike culture that is changing the look and feel of cities, suburbs, and small towns across North America. MORE IDEAS CLICK HERE

Why Ride
Motor vehicle emissions represent 31 percent of total carbon dioxide, 81 percent of carbon monoxide, and 49 percent of nitrogen oxides released in the U.S. (The Green Commuter, a publication of the Clean Air Council). A short, four-mile round trip by bicycle keeps about 15 pounds of pollutants out of the air we breathe. (WorldWatch Institute). According to the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey, 25 percent of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40 percent of all trips are within two miles of the home, and 50 percent of the working population commutes five miles or less to work. A Rodale Press survey found that Americans want to have the opportunity to bike to work instead of driving, with 40 percent of those surveyed saying they would commute by bike if safe facilities were available.

In addition to saving cash, did you know that you could keep approximately 19 pounds of CO2 emissions out of the atmosphere for each gallon of gas you don't use? Saving money and reducing the impact driving your car has on the environment is easier than you think. Use this Commute Cost & Carbon Emissions Calculator (from Stanford University) to calculate the financial and environmental benefits of alternative transportation.

Federal Bicycle legislation passes encouraging bike to work
After seven long years, the bicycle commuter tax provision has finally passed both the House and Senate. President Bush has said that he is eager to sign the legislation. “We are delighted that the bicycle commuter benefits act has passed after a lengthy and persistent campaign spearheaded by Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR),” said League President Andy Clarke. “Bicycle commuters will now be extended similar benefits to people who take transit and drive to work – it’s an equitable and sensible incentive to encourage greater energy independence, improve air quality and health, and even help tackle climate change. MORE IDEAS CLICK HERE

How to Get More Bicyclists on the Road
An emerging body of research suggests that a superior strategy to increase pedal pushing could be had by asking the perennial question: What do women want? MORE IDEAS CLICK HERE

SmartCycling: Traffic Skills 101
The League of American Bicycists has released a new version of our core bicycle education curriculum: Traffic Skills 101! Formerly known as Road I, the new manual has updated graphics, photos, and text to help League Cycling Instructors teach cyclists to ride safely and smartly. Instructors: Order your copy today!

Join the Bicycle Revolution - Become the Solution
From a personal standpoint the frustration is high as we ride around town and see how little acknowledgement there is for bikes and their riders. We're needing a bit more these days, especially in light of the current gas price situation and the long-standing nature of Michigan's economy. The time is right to push hard for change. Get our municipalities to acknowledge the importance of a non-oil infrastrastructure. At the very minimum, they should be held to task for creating safe and accessible routes connecting to and through the many locales that make up our community. Click Here

Warning! Riding a Bicycle Can Have the Following Side Effects:
If you are thinking about replacing a car trip with a bicycle trip instead, it is important to know the repercussions of that choice. Read further for 8 side effects that your doctor or bicycle salesman may not have told you about. MORE IDEAS CLICK HERE

Bikes Point the Way to a Sustainable Future
The bicycle has become a cultural signifier that begins to unite people across economic and racial strata. It signals a sensibility that stands against oil wars and the environmental devastation wrought by the oil and chemical industries, the urban decay imposed by cars and highways, the endless monocultural sprawl spreading outward across exurban zones. This new bicycling subculture stands for localism, a more human pace, more face-to-face interaction, hands- on technological self-sufficiency, reuse and recycling, and a healthy urban environment that is friendly to self-propulsion, pleasant smells and sights, and human conviviality. The bicycle has been enjoying a resurgence in the past 15 years. Daily bicycle commuting has expanded dramatically in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and other cities where the monthly seizure of streets by bicyclists known as Critical Mass has opened space and imaginations, and given people a safe and enjoyable way to reconnect with urban bicycling before venturing out on their own.

Let's Get Moving campaign kicks off | JOIN TEAM TRAVERSE ALIVE
TRAVERSE CITY -- Winter is finally over -- at least for several hundred fitness enthusiasts who streamed into the Civic Center Monday night to help kick off "Let's Get Moving Northern Michigan." "Let's Get Moving" is an annual 100-day program that encourages area residents to get healthy. It officially gets under way -- and the competitive points begin piling up -- Wednesday. Individuals and teams from across a 21-county region of northern Michigan can join a friendly contest to engage the most participants and log the most miles. Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties are included in the Grand Traverse Area community team.