“There’s no better place than Michigan to show by example that things are changing.” — Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists

Andy Clarke speaks with an English accent that gets your attention right away.  How did [...]]]>

Andy Clarke, Exec. Director of the League of American Bicyclists, and some guy with bike pins.

“There’s no better place than Michigan to show by example that things are changing.” — Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists

Andy Clarke speaks with an English accent that gets your attention right away.  How did this short British chap get the primo bicycling job in America?  He is paid to speak on behalf of all cyclists in America and get people excited about creating change in American culture to create increased opportunities for bicycling.  He was the keynote speaker at this year’s Michigan Bicycle Summit on March 27th in Lansing.

His stump speech is a mix of positive examples from Portland, Europe, and elsewhere, mixed with the realization that change of this magnitude is like trying to change the direction of a glacier.  It’s going to take awhile.  But, he was quick to highlight the positive steps in this direction, such as the recent announcement by Ray LaHood, Secretary of the US Dept. of Transportation, that “This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized.” (google search: “ray lahood bicycle”)

LMB merchandise for sale

Andy Clarke was not the only draw of the Michigan Bicycle Summit.  While at a session led by the charismatic Jean Doss on lobbying your legislature, I learned the importance of timing, that successful advocates are patient, persistent, and planful in their approach, and that the most important phrase working with politicians is, “I’m sorry that we disagree, but I look forward to working with you in the future.”   At a panel on the Complete Streets movement, we heard from the the bicycle and pedestrian advocates who played a key role in Lansing becoming the 100th city in the US to pass a Complete Streets ordinance.

In addition to the seminars, there was a Friday evening reception at the downtown Radisson where the League of Michigan Bicyclists handed out awards to some of the most active and inspiring volunteers promoting bicycling in Michigan.  Some of the other sessions that followed Andy Clarke’s keynote speech included:

• How to make your bicycle tour accessible to ALL bicyclists, including those with mental and physical handicaps
• What is the US Bicycle Route System and what routes are being developed in Michigan
• How to use the new NEW Bicycle Educator’s toolbox on the League of Michigan Bicyclists’ website
• What Role do Bicycle Shops play in advocating for better conditions for cyclists
• Reports of successes and setbacks from the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and the Michigan Mountain Biking Association
• What is the Ride of Silence, as told by founder Chris Phelan of Texas, and how is this international day of remembrance making a difference all over the world?

In 2009, I attended my first National Bike Summit, and this was my first Michigan Bike Summit.  There are lots of opportunities to hear about all the great things that others are doing, but I think the best part is being around so many other people who “get it”.  They know how much fun bicycling is and they want to spread those feelings of joy and happiness to others, just like I do.

Bike parking at the summit

I invite you experience that same feeling on May 26th at the 2010 Lucinda Means Bicycle Advocacy Day in Lansing.  Join the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, and the Michigan Mountain Biking Association for a day of lobbying your state legislators and fun (yes, those two things can go together).  It kicks off with a rally on the north lawn of the Capitol at 8:30am.  Visit http://www.lmb.org for more information.

I’ll end with another quote from Andy Clarke, via the League of Michigan Bicyclists’ eNewsletter.  When asked how to respond to people who ask why we should build bicycling facilities in places where people don’t ride their bicycles, he said “how many cars crossed the river before you built the bridge.”

When I moved to Heritage Hill in 2006, one of [...]]]> I am absolutely elated that Ada Bike Shop has purchased Fulton Heights Mower and Bike Repair and will be opening a satellite shop in the coming months at 1311 E Fulton near the Family Fare!  A grand opening is tentatively planned for sometime in the spring.

When I moved to Heritage Hill in 2006, one of the things that made bicycling and commuting more difficult was the lack of full service bicycle shops within easy riding distance. The two closest were Freewheeler on the NW side and Alger Cyclery near 28th and Buchanan. Both were about a 15-25 minute ride, depending on conditions.  Similar to the food desert many city residents live in, without access to a full service grocery store, Grand Rapids had a bike desert in much of the city.  Many of the other shops in Grand Rapids are between 5 and 7 miles away, and often located on busy 4-5 lane roads that aren’t very bicycle friendly.

Local Bike Shops - Before 2009 vs Median Income

Local Bike Shops - After 2009 vs Median Income

Local Bike Shops vs Population Density

Why? Follow the money.

I created three maps.  The first shows full service bike shops prior to 2009, with a 2 mile radius surrounding each one. (I didn’t include The Motion Initiative on Godfrey because of their limited hours.)

The base map was created with the fantastic MAPAS application of GVSU’s Community Research Institute. The shading is for median income and darker is better, although the data from the 2000 census is getting old.

You’ll note a pretty big hole on the east side of Grand Rapids between Freewheeler, Alger Cyclery, Kentwood Cycling & Fitness, and Grand Rapids Bicycle Company.

The 2nd map, shows what it now looks like, with the addition of Commute Bicycle Shop on S. Division and the new Ada Bike Shop in Fulton Heights.

Dan Koert at Commute GR started with a bang and low overhead, selling a lot of used bicycles, some new, and a lot of parts, accessories, and repairs.  He was recently rewarded with the People’s Choice for Best New Business at the 2009 Neighborhood Business Awards.

The new Ada Bike Shop should do well serving the neighborhoods full of bicyclists that surround it and the affluent in EGR who were also in the bike desert.   Based on my talks with owner Jim Ippel last Tuesday, they are planning to do their best to continue to fix up some of the cheaper bikes that come in for repairs as well.

The third graphic shows population density.  The new shops added this year are within easy biking distance of some of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the metro area (>5,922 people per square mile.)

Finally, I wanted to share a few photos of the new space on Fulton St.  These photos are from 12/2/09 (when it was 50F outside!!!)  and when I was back on Tuesday, there was a nice window display with some youth bicycles and the entire peg board had come down.  They were planning to paint the walls this week.  The snowblower repair side of the business was also in full swing, with about 15 of them lined up in the main shop area, and more in the garage.

A segment on NPR this morning (via Facebook) covered the new, nearly complete BikeStation outside of Washington, DC’s Union Station.

Implementation of the BikeStation concept varies, but they generally provide secure, sheltered bicycle parking for a modest membership fee.  They often have a mechanic on hand [...]]]>

Washington DC's new BikeStation - http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownpau/ / CC BY 2.0

A segment on NPR this morning (via Facebook) covered the new, nearly complete BikeStation outside of Washington, DC’s Union Station.

Implementation of the BikeStation concept varies, but they generally provide secure, sheltered bicycle parking for a modest membership fee.  They often have a mechanic on hand during certain hours to perform maintenance or repair.  You can have regularly scheduled tune-ups done while you’re at work!  Some also offer bicycle rentals, a restroom, and even shower facilities.

How awesome would it be to have a similar venue in the warming hut at Rosa Parks Circle?  In the summer the zamboni could be stored elsewhere and racking for bicycles could be installed in the garage.   In the winter, the need for bike parking would be reduced, the racks could be moved,  and the zamboni would get its home back, with parking remaining elsewhere in the building.

Grand Rapids Chalk Flood 2009 (by Richard Deming, Jr)

I’m not aware of any efforts to make this a reality, but I think the need is there.  There is certainly a lack of visible bicycle parking downtown.  It’s around, but you often have to search it out.  At many events this summer, I saw lots of bicycles haphazardly locked to trees and parking meters.  With the efforts going on to network our existing trails and create more on-street facilities, bicycle commuting to downtown will only become easier.  The station could also handle traffic from events downtown, and rent out bicycles to tourists and conventioneers.

Words can’t really describe how great this new trail is, so I will just agree with Fred Meijer and say, “It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful.”  And it starts less than 2 1/2 miles from [...]]]>
Tuesday marked the opening of Phase 1 of the Fred Meijer Millennium Trail that will eventually connect Johnson Park to John Ball Park.

Words can’t really describe how great this new trail is, so I will just agree with Fred Meijer and say, “It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful.”  And it starts less than 2 1/2 miles from Fulton and Monroe!

Now, onto the good stuff.

First a map of the new trail, as best as I could draw it up from memory.  Thanks to Microsoft for the aerial imagery.  I started my trip at the west end of the new trail.  I also drew in the location of the fantastic viewing deck that you can see in the above photo. To view a larger version, click any photo to visit Flickr. Once at Flickr, click the “All sizes” icon and select “Large” or “Original”. My complete set of photos may be found by clicking here.

The wires remind you that this is still an “urban” park.

This was the site of a large washout of the trail that happened during an 85-year flood that happened in January. The bridge was placed to protect the trail from future high flood events.

This is part of the site of the proposed ampitheather (looking west)

That’s it for the tour. More photos are here. We’ll probably be riding this trail on a PedalGR ride in July, on our way to Versluis Orchards, so keep an eye out. I hope that you get a chance to visit this trail soon, as the photos don’t really do it justice. If you’ve been on it already, what do you think? Please pass on this link to others, so they can get an idea of what a treasure this park will become!