On May 1, the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society (AABTS) and the Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition (WBWC) organized a Worst (and Best) streets of Ann Arbor ride .  The following is a report from Frank Schwende (WBWC Board Member) and Craig Stephan (Board Member of AABTS).  Frank and Craig organized this ride after meeting with city representatives to discuss the condition of city streets from the viewpoint of bicycle safety:

Who Was There and What We Experienced
Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, Ann Arbor City Transportation Manager Eli Cooper, and Fifth Ward Ann Arbor City Council member Carsten Hohnke were among the ride participants.

Our crew of about ten riders covered about 15 miles around the city, not just downtown streets. Along the way we talked about the deficiencies of lane striping and signals not able to detect bicycles.  Eli was eager to explain that the city has obtained federal money to install new signs and stripe more bike lanes, both aimed at improving bicycle safety in town.  We paused at Bandemer Park where we discussed the proposed rail underpass and the prospects for routing a bike path underneath the existing rail trestle (similar to the bike path at Barton Dam).  Unless Argo Dam is completely removed and the water level drops 3 feet this option isn’t viable.

The Worst Streets
We saw a lot of rough road and sidepath surfaces, and the general feeling of the group was that it was wrong to feel that one needed a mountain bike to ride in the city. The worst roads, I think we all agreed, were Miller and Barton Drive.  In fact, the linear pot-holes on Barton Drive were extremely hazardous to bicycles – we’ve never seen anything like them anywhere else!  And if we are going to seriously encourage our youth to ride bicycles to school, then the available roads and paths, especially adjacent to the schools, ought to be superb, not the mess that surrounds Pioneer High School.

The Best Streets
Best stretch that we traveled was Packard Road, especially the relatively new surface south of Stadium and north of Jewitt, a 4-to-3 lane conversion. Wouldn’t it be great if the entire length of Packard could be improved like this?

Fuller Intermodal Transit Station
Eli Cooper had our group stop at Maiden Lane and Fuller, just below the U. of M. medical center. There is a plan being developed now to build an intermodal transit station in this area on city owned property.  East-west commuter rail and high speed rail would stop here and connect with buses, and there would be shower and locker facilities for commuting cyclists, as well as a bicycle repair shop.  The buses would include shuttle service to the north-south rail service.  An enclosed walkway would connect with the hospital, which is the region’s largest employer right now with expectations of continued growth.

Take Action
Times are tough just now for SE Michigan as the nation turns away from complete domination of transportation by cars and looks to alternative forms of transit.  Those who know and understand the advantages of bicycles need to work with government at local, state and national levels to insure that bikes will be included in the mix of future transportation choices.  Rides like this, with the participation of our mayor, his staff and other elected officials demonstrate that although we have a long way to go in Ann Arbor, we are working together to improve all modes of transportation.

Voice Your Concerns/Comments on the Best and Worst Streets of Ann Arbor:

• Contact your City Council Member or the Mayor of Ann Arbor
• Contact Eli Cooper, City of Ann Arbor Transportation Program Manager
• Get involved with the Wastenaw Biking and Walking Coalition