Great Lakes - New Wikipedia article: Trails in Detroit

The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (http://michigantrails.org) has created a new Wikipedia page called Trails in Detroit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trails_in_Detroit). This definition includes bike lanes when they are directly part of a trail project.

Did you know there were so many non-motorized trails planned for Detroit? We're guessing most people don't, even those living in the Metro Detroit area.

Also, this is a companion Wikipedia article to the Cycling in Detroit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_in_Detroit) which was created earlier.

I was not even aware of some of these before today. I guess it would help if they were actually built. Short of that, I've not come across this, however, it's funny you posted this today because I actually just was informed of one of these trails apparently (said to connect Detroit to Lake Erie Metropark) by a LBS employee.

I am cynical though. There is a path in Wyandotte that I was riding a few weeks back before Thanksgiving. I mostly stick to the road when I ride in that area and actually rarely ride that portion of Jefferson. One of the few times I was riding it I heard a gushing air sound. Flat tire--oops. :( I took whatever out of my tire so quick that I forgot what the heck was in it. Something sharp though.

I suppose maintenance is a factor that should be considered..ahem...maybe look at some of our roads. This alternate infrastructure will help that problem if people were to start using these paths for more than just exercise.

Any chance on getting a copy of a higher resolution map of the Downriver Delta Greenway? I really should (would like to) become a little more educated on transportation. Don't states that have lower gas taxes get left out somewhat, when it comes to having funds to match federal dollars? Is it dollars that are an issue? I am seeing a master plan document from May 2001. Yet very little outside of Detroit, at least around where I live, has appeared.

Really, any additional information, if you have it, I'd like to read. Also, I've ridden the path around Fairlane once.

I was not even aware of some of these before today. I guess it would help if they were actually built.
Next year should be a good year with 5 trails getting more trail segments built. But as you noticed, many of the trails are still in the early planning stages.


I suppose maintenance is a factor that should be considered..ahem...maybe look at some of our roads.
You're right. Maintenance is a huge factor, especially given Detroit's budgets woes. I didn't put this in Wikipedia, but the Greening of Detroit maintains three of the greenways now. They hire local young adults and perform all of the maintenance. They're funded through the Kresge Foundation, though we're looking at long term funding strategies.

However, because of this maintenance cost, more Detroit groups are looking to use bike lanes as their greenway.


Any chance on getting a copy of a higher resolution map of the Downriver Delta Greenway? I really should (would like to) become a little more educated on transportation. Don't states that have lower gas taxes get left out somewhat, when it comes to having funds to match federal dollars? Is it dollars that are an issue? I am seeing a master plan document from May 2001. Yet very little outside of Detroit, at least around where I live, has appeared.
The Downriver Delta Greenway is one of the more conceptual plans. I may have some plans in my files. I'll look.

Yes, dollars are always an issue. State gas tax rates may play a part elsewhere, but not so much in Detroit where we don't use them for these trails. Most of the funding is from Transportation Enhancements (federal) with match from the Natural Resources Trust Fund, and private sources (e.g. Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Kresge Foundation, Tour de Troit.).

The lack of progress outside of Detroit has more to do with road agencies and municipalities not making cycling and cycling safety a priority. Bike lanes are cheap. The city of Detroit has more bike lanes than all of the other communities in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. That's embarrassing.

Next year should be a good year with 5 trails getting more trail segments built. But as you noticed, many of the trails are still in the early planning stages.



I have to read it more, but I was not aware such plans have been in existence for as long as they have.


You're right. Maintenance is a huge factor, especially given Detroit's budgets woes. I didn't put this in Wikipedia, but the Greening of Detroit maintains three of the greenways now. They hire local young adults and perform all of the maintenance. They're funded through the Kresge Foundation, though we're looking at long term funding strategies.


That's funny, though I guess this would be done in the spring and summer. When I've called them, they've said they have no opportunities to volunteer unless they are paid. I don't care about payment so much though.



However, because of this maintenance cost, more Detroit groups are looking to use bike lanes as their greenway.


The Downriver Delta Greenway is one of the more conceptual plans. I may have some plans in my files. I'll look.

Yes, dollars are always an issue. State gas tax rates may play a part elsewhere, but not so much in Detroit where we don't use them for these trails. Most of the funding is from Transportation Enhancements (federal) with match from the Natural Resources Trust Fund, and private sources (e.g. Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Kresge Foundation, Tour de Troit.).

The lack of progress outside of Detroit has more to do with road agencies and municipalities not making cycling and cycling safety a priority. Bike lanes are cheap. The city of Detroit has more bike lanes than all of the other communities in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. That's embarrassing.

When you say Detroit, I presume you mean the metropolitan area as a whole?

MTGA

Lastly, I doubt this is just me, but a little input that I could send in a message but thought I'd put it out there:

Michigan Trails and Greenway seems like a great idea and I wanted to also ask if this is to help fill that void that you speak of in terms of city agencies and such infrastructure, but first:

Trails and Greenways seems like it's a little more on the perphery in terms of connection/relevance to most people. I get a little bit lost in the different terms in relation to non-motorized transportation infrastructure. I don't come across them that often, but when I think of "trails", I tend to think of off-road trails for mountain biking.

For example, there is a Trail/Off-road trail as listed on the MTGA map (http://www.michigantrails.org/map/)that I run by. I think of it as more of a "path" and actually one I don't use because of limited size when biking or running because of safety, enough room, as well as dogs and their byproduct and sharp teeth.

I say this because the of MTGA is for preservation and its name implies as much, but it doesn't seem to make an explicit statement or purpose in regards to transportation. It's obvious it's a goal, but I believe most people are unaware of environmental issues and the connections to various aspects of their life. I would include myself in this group--I understand some basics as related to the built environment and transportation, but not a lot and it would make me less attracted to such a group to get invovled, and less inclined because I don't know that much about such issues as how they relate to one another.

I could speak this much quicker, but wanted to get my feelings on it out there. In sum, it seems the stated and implied (through its name) goals are framed more in environmental and preservation impact vs. a more broad impact and that more people would see as more broad to them. Thinking about it though, people are so used to their built environment, that such a goal would seem irrelevant or not as relevant, but in actuality, is an alternative based on many of the positive benefits of such greenways and trails.

Thanks for your response by the way.

When you say Detroit, I presume you mean the metropolitan area as a whole?
In this case, when I say Detroit, I mean just the city. That Greening of Detroit trail maintenance is only in the city of Detroit.



Michigan Trails and Greenway seems like a great idea and I wanted to also ask if this is to help fill that void that you speak of in terms of city agencies and such infrastructure, but first:

Trails and Greenways seems like it's a little more on the perphery in terms of connection/relevance to most people. I get a little bit lost in the different terms in relation to non-motorized transportation infrastructure. I don't come across them that often, but when I think of "trails", I tend to think of off-road trails for mountain biking.

For example, there is a Trail/Off-road trail as listed on the MTGA map (http://www.michigantrails.org/map/)that I run by. I think of it as more of a "path" and actually one I don't use because of limited size when biking or running because of safety, enough room, as well as dogs and their byproduct and sharp teeth.

I say this because the of MTGA is for preservation and its name implies as much, but it doesn't seem to make an explicit statement or purpose in regards to transportation. It's obvious it's a goal, but I believe most people are unaware of environmental issues and the connections to various aspects of their life. I would include myself in this group--I understand some basics as related to the built environment and transportation, but not a lot and it would make me less attracted to such a group to get invovled, and less inclined because I don't know that much about such issues as how they relate to one another.

I could speak this much quicker, but wanted to get my feelings on it out there. In sum, it seems the stated and implied (through its name) goals are framed more in environmental and preservation impact vs. a more broad impact and that more people would see as more broad to them. Thinking about it though, people are so used to their built environment, that such a goal would seem irrelevant or not as relevant, but in actuality, is an alternative based on many of the positive benefits of such greenways and trails.
That's really an interesting perspective that I'd not heard before with regards to the MTGA name and all.

MTGA is the former Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's (RTC) Michigan office. When RTC shifted from state offices to regional, the Michigan staff worked with RTC to create MTGA. MTGA doesn't do mountain bike trails (that's more of the MMBA.) It's mostly rail-trails and the similar, though in Detroit, there's been a wider, more comprehensive focus on non-motorized transportation which includes Complete Streets, bike parking, bike lanes, sidewalks, transit-bike systems, Safe Routes to School, US Bicycle Route System, Underground Railroad Bicycle Route, etc.

Perhaps the primary reason for the broader approach in the city of Detroit is our funders require it. And with me working full time in Detroit, it's a realistic option for such an approach. MTGA has more of a trails focus statewide because (a) that's their mission and (b) that's all they have the resources to do.

Good info...The problem is that many of us are looking for some nice trails everywhere but Detroit...

Here is one interesting article... I'm awaiting same news from Michigan...

What's the Value of Bicycling? $1.5 Billion, in Wisconsin

A new study by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that bicycling contributes $1.5 billion to Wisconsin's economy every year.

The boost to the Wisconsin economy provided by bicycles comes from tourism, bike shops and bicycle-related businesses, and the health benefit of exercise that keeps people out of the doctor's office:

"Sparta is just one of many Wisconsin places where bicycle recreation generates more than $924 million in economic activity. Sparta welcomes 15,500 visiting bicyclists each year thanks to the Elroy Sparta bike trail. The Wisconsin department of Natural Resources reports that 100,000 people use the trail annually."

"World-renowned bicycle brands like Trek Bicycle Corporation, Saris Cycling Group, Planet Bike, Pacific Cycles, Waterford Precision Cycles reside in Wisconsin. Hundreds of locally-owned bike shops and bicycle-friendly businesses support the vitality of local economies. Wisconsin bicycle industry adds nearly $600 million annually to our state's economy."

Source: Bicycling Federation of Wisconsin, January 2, 2011

Here is the link to "bicycle maps" by MDOT. It's far from being perfect. Some of the bicycle routes are just sidewalks with dead ends and most park trails are missing completely.
MDOT MAPS (http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9615_11223-146053--,00.html)


EDIT
I just found this: The Great Lake to Lake Trails
(http://www.destinationoakland.com/parksandtrails/trailsoakroutes/Documents/NancyCrossStateTrail.pdf)