Engineering Section
|
| Do you have a policy that requires the accommodation
of cyclists in all new road construction and reconstruction and
resurfacing? |
| Yes |
| Provided policy |
| Your accomodation policy is on file. |
|
| Have you provided training for your engineers
and planners on how to accommodate cyclists? |
| Yes |
| Description |
| In conjunction with the implementation
of the city's non-motorized plan, a member of the city planning
staff, working with a representative from the city parks
and recreation department, has developed a cycling needs
checklist as part of the site plan review process. Site
plans submitted by developers must meet checklist guidelines
in order to be approved. |
| Is there a mechanism to provide training
on an on-going basis? |
| Yes |
|
| How many bridges are in your community? |
| 17 |
| How many are closed or inaccessible
to cyclists? |
| none |
| Of those accessible by bike, how many
have shoulders, bike lanes, wide curb lanes, or sidewalks/walkways?
|
| all bridges feature at least one of the
above |
|
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Schools?
|
| All |
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Libraries?
|
| Some |
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Transit
Stations? |
| All |
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Recreation
Centers? |
| All |
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Government
Buildings? |
| Most |
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Office
Buildings? |
| Some |
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Retail
Centers? |
| Most |
| Are there bike racks or storage units at Public
Spaces and Parks? |
| Most |
| Are buses equipped with bike racks? |
| All |
| Are bicycles permitted on public transit? |
| No |
| Please describe any restrictions |
| no answer provided
|
|
| How many miles of bike lanes do you have? |
| 19 |
| How many miles of bike lanes are in your bicycle
master plan? |
| 47 |
| What is the mileage of your total road network?
|
| 300 |
| What percent of arterial streets have bike lanes
or paved shoulders? |
| 30 |
| How many miles of bike paths and trails do you
have? |
| 22 |
| How many miles of bike paths are in your bicycle
master plan? |
| 48 |
| How many miles of designated bike routes do
you have? |
| 3 |
| How many miles of signed bike routes are in
your bicycle master plan? |
| 25 |
| Please describe any maintenance programs or
policies over and above routine roadway maintenance that ensures
bike lanes and shoulders remain usable |
| The city's alternative transportation management
regularly solicits feedback from the cycling community, which in
turn guides the city's resurfacing schedule. In addition, bicycle
retail outlets stock postage-paid "Citizen Bicycling Improvement
Request" cards that city residents can fill out and submit
to the city parks department. |
| Please describe maintenance programs or policies
for your Multi-use Paths |
| The Parks and Recreation Department solicits feedback
from user communities with surveys available at park facilities
(including the Citizen Bicycling Improvement Request" forms). While
these surveys cover various types of park amenities, most of the
multi-use path mileage in Ann Arbor is located in the city's parks.
|
| How many businesses employing over fifty people
have worksite bicycle accommodation programs such as worksite bicycle
parking, shower facilities, or "guaranteed ride home"? |
| Most |
| Are there other facilities that have been created
to promote bicycling in your community? |
| Yes |
| If yes, please describe: |
| The Olson Park trails represent the first
city park to recognize the mountain bike community as a
primary user group. |
|
Education Section
|
| How do you educate motorists to share the road
with cyclists? Please describe: |
| Motorist education efforts currently take place
on an informal level, mainly through individual encounters or word-of-mouth
communication among friends. The Ann Arbor police department has
a IPMBA-certified staff member who educates officers about Michigan
cycling law. On-line forums, such as the one maintained by the Michigan
Mountain Biking Association, also engage in motorist education to
the extent that many MMBA members are also motorists. |
| How many community motorists do you reach with
these efforts? |
| Few |
| Are there other bicycle education opportunities
for adults? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| The Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
regularly holds bicycle education seminars, and the local
Critical Mass movement sponsors monthly workshops to educate
cyclists about transportation rights. |
|
| Do you have a bicycle safety program for children
in schools? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| The Ann Arbor Public School District holds
a Safetytown program for kindergarten children at the end
of each academic year. Participation is voluntary, though
students throughout the district are eligible to attend.
In 2004, the program educated 68 students and attendance
has historically been in the range of 60-80 students. 21
elem. schools. |
| How many schools participate? |
| 21 out of 21 |
|
| What other types of bicycle safety and education
opportunities are available for children? |
| Participation in the Tour de Kids involves mandatory
helmet use and rudimentary safety education. The Tour de Kids usually
draws several hundred participants. |
| How many children participate? |
| 100-300 |
|
| Do you make bicycle safety materials available
to the public? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| The three groups who perform most of the
distribution work in this regard are the Ann Arbor Bicycle
Touring Society, the Washtenaw Bicycling & Walking Coalition,
and Critical Mass. Materials are made available at various
events, including non-cycling gatherings. |
|
| Do you have League Cycling Instructors in your
area? |
| Yes |
| Please list their names: |
| Michigan is home to nine League-certified
Instructors, one of whom lives and works in Ann Arbor. Her
name is Cathy Vonk. |
|
| Is bicycle safety education included in routine
local activities (e.g. tax renewal, drivers licensing and testing,
or inserts with utility bills each month)? |
| No |
| Please describe |
| no answer provided
|
|
Encouragement Section
|
| How do you promote Bike Month? |
Ride(s) or event(s) celebrating Bike Month
Commuter Station(s)
Official Proclamation
Bike Month posters/flyers are posted throughout the community |
| Provide attendance numbers |
| 172 |
|
| Do you actively promote Bike to Work Day or
other bicycle commuting incentive programs? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| In 2005, Ann Arbor will continue its tradition
of support for Bike to Work Day with an organized ride with
the mayor, ending at City Hall. Starting from various points
in the city, participants will converge on City Hall for
breakfast. The ride occurs on the final (official) day of
the Bike-to-Work Challenge, in which businesses compete
to log bike-to-work miles. The ride also caps a week of
bicycle-themed events, including skills workshops and group
rides. |
| What portion of the community workforce
do you reach? |
| Some |
|
| Is there an annual bike tour or ride promoted
to the general public in your community? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| The Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society's
Helluva Ride is the largest ride in the area, but the Tour
de Kids generally gets more local press and is much cuter.
The Helluva Ride usually draws around 1500-2000 participants,
with about 200 volunteers providing ride support. |
|
| Are there community bike clubs, bicycle advocacy
organizations or racing clubs? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
1. Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society
- The Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society organizes the
Helluva Ride every June. In addition, they oversee a diverse
array of bicycle education opportunities, from bike handling
clinics to workshops on the cycling section of the Michigan
Vehicle Code.
2. Ann Arbor Velo Club - The Ann Arbor Velo Club is a
leading local force in promoting youth cycling competition.
Consisting of several professional teams including a youth
and masters squads, AAVC participates in local racing
circuits as well as helping with trail maintenance.
3. Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition - Since
1998, the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition has
worked locally to promote alternative transportation policy
and practice. Constant dissemination of information, workshops
up the yinyang, and attending sub-committee meeting after
sub-committee meeting. These are the real folks in the
trenches and, incidentally, responsible for bringing this
application before the League.
4. Ann Arbor Critical Mass - Started in 2001, this student-based
group has "organized" monthly rides through
Ann Arbor's downtown and campus area. Workshops on cycling
safety and effective cycling precede each ride.
5. University of Michigan Cycling Team - Restarted in
the early 1990's, the U of M Cycling team promotes University
of Michigan athletics in collegiate competitions around
the country. This group also acts as a sort of feeder
organization for other local cycling organizations as
its members graduate.
6. Michigan Mountain Biking Association, Southeastern
Michigan chapter - The local chapter of the Michigan Mountain
Biking Association coordinates trail maintenance in the
area as well as advocacy for trail access. |
|
| Do you have Safe Routes to School program that
includes bicycling? |
| No |
| How many schools are involved? |
| no answer provided
|
| Please describe |
| no answer provided
|
|
| Does your community have youth recreation and
intervention programs that are centered around bicycling? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| The Program to Educate All Cyclists conducts
a Special Needs Cycling program for children with motion
and balance disorders through the Spine Center at the University
of Michigan Mott's Children's Hospital. The program maintains
special bicycles for impaired riders, and rides are organized
for patients at the Spine Center. |
|
| Do you publish a bike map and keep it up to
date? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| The most recent edition of the City of
Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County Bicycle Map was printed in
June 2001. The key for the city map distinguishes between
suggested cycle routes (i.e. wide outside curb lane or low
traffic volume), roads with dedicated cycle lanes, signed
bicycle routes, shared-use paths, and sidewalks. The county
map designates roads with wide shoulders and preferred cycling
routes. The map is being reprinted for the 2005 Curb your
Car Month events |
|
| Please describe any other efforts in your community
to encourage cycling |
| no answer provided |
Enforcement Section
|
| Is your local police department aware of the
concerns of cyclists in your community? |
| Yes |
| Is there a liaison that communicates
with the bicycling community? |
| Yes |
| If yes, please describe |
| Ann Arbor Police Department officer Cathy
Vonk is not only active in the local cycling community,
she regularly educates officers about cycling laws. |
|
| Do you offer specific training to police officers
regarding traffic law as it applies to bicyclists? |
| Yes |
| If yes, please describe |
| The Bicycle program at the Ann Arbor Police
Department trains officers to patrol by bicycle as well
as educates officers on Michigan cycling legislation |
|
| Do you use targeted enforcement to encourage
cyclists and motorists to share the road safely? |
| No |
| If yes, please describe |
| no answer provided
|
|
| Do you have public safety employees on bikes?
|
| Yes |
| If yes, please describe |
| Members of both the Ann Arbor Police and
the University of Michigan Police patrol by bicycle. |
| Indicate the number of employees on
bike as well as the size of the entire staff. |
| During any given shift, the Ann Arbor
Police Department has 12-15 patrolling officers, of which
2-4 patrol by bicycle. |
|
| Do you have a mandatory helmet law? |
| Yes |
| To what ages does it apply? |
| 12 and up |
|
| Do you have mandatory sidepath laws? |
| Yes |
| If so, what is the status of these laws?
|
| State Law |
| Are they enforced |
| No |
|
Evaluation & Planning Section
|
| Do you have any information on the number of
trips by bike in your community? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| one 2000 Census datum, which estimates
that 2.4% of trips to work in Ann Arbor occur by bicycle
|
|
| How many cyclist/motor vehicle fatalities have
occurred in your community in the past five years? |
| no answer provided |
| How many cyclist/motor vehicle crashes have
occurred in your community in the past five years? |
| no answer provided |
| Do you have a system in place that allows bicyclists
to submit ideas and concerns to public officials? |
| Yes |
| Please describe |
| Bicycle retail outlets stock postage-paid
"Citizen Bicycling Improvement Request" cards
that city residents can fill out and submit to the city
parks department. Parks staff as well as the city's alternative
transportation management team use this information to guide
future policy |
|
| Do you have a comprehensive bicycle plan? |
| Yes |
| When was it passed or updated? |
| 04/10/2004 |
| Is it funded? |
| Yes |
| What percentage has been implemented?
|
| Few |
|
| What improvements do you have planned for the
following year? |
| The city's near-term roadbuilding and resurfacing
schedule includes the addition of 1.2 miles of bicycle lanes and
13.35 miles of sidewalks. |
| How integrated is your bicycle network? |
| Currently, Ann Arbor's bicycle lanes and shared-use
paths exist largely as separate rights-of-way, with a moderate amount
of connectivity. The city's non-motorized transportation plan places
emphasis on network integration, and the implementation schedule
reflects that emphasis. |
| Do trails, bike lanes, and bike routes
connect with each other to provide seamless transportation
options? |
| Yes |
|
| Have you evaluated your transportation network
and prioritized bicycle improvements based on hazards and needs?
|
| Yes |
| What are the three primary reasons your city
deserves to be designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community? Reason
One: |
| The Ann Arbor City Council has not only voiced
a commitment to an integrated bicycle network, they have taken political
and financial steps to realize that end. |
| What are the three primary reasons your city
deserves to be designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community? Reason
Two: |
| Since adding bicycle racks to their buses several
years ago, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority has seen a 12%
increase in ridership. |
| What are the three primary reasons your city
deserves to be designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community? Reason
Three: |
| The Hieftje administration has made alternative
transportation a continuing priority, and the mayor has publicly
stated that his second term will carry forward with the goals already
set in this regard. |
| What are the three aspects of your community
most in need of improvement in order to accommodate bicyclists?
Number One Aspect: |
| Though it should come as no surprise, Ann Arbor
is located in a region with a profound level of political sympathy
for the automobile and its attendant accommodations. While automotive
hegemony pervades most of the country, its influence is especially
significant in southeastern Michigan. By recognizing Ann Arbor as
a bicycle-friendly community, the League of American Bicyclists
would help the general population of the area understand that other
transportation options can be viable and respected. |
| What are the three aspects of your community
most in need of improvement in order to accommodate bicyclists?
Number Two Aspect: |
| Unimproved rights-of-way within the city limits
still lack any amenities for cyclists, including adequate space
and lighting, and remain quite dangerous. Likewise, many of the
rural roads around Ann Arbor could be improved for cycling use.
|
| What are the three aspects of your community
most in need of improvement in order to accommodate bicyclists?
Number Three Aspect: |
| Currently, Ann Arbor's cycling community engages
in a relatively modest amount of coordination toward reaching common
goals. While each cycling organization exists for a different purpose,
no coordinative body engages in consensus-building among cyclists
at this time. Recognition as a bicycle-friendly community would
not only help the cycling community realize its common interests,
but also help grow the membership of different organizations. |
