AnnArbor.Com reports that the City of Ann Arbor recently acquired some federal stimulus dollars that will allow for some new bike lanes near downtown Ann Arbor.
The locations of these new bike lanes will be along Catherine Street, North University Avenue, Ashley Street and First Street.
Since many people feel better about biking when bike lanes are present, these new additions should be a good move.
It’s been a pretty hot summer around here so I thought I’d through out some information on how to beat the heat when walking with your feet:
As a person who walks at least 2 miles a day (and is pregnant at the moment), I can attest to the fact that walking in the heat is doable, but there are definitely some ways to make it work better for you and your body.
For those of you who work in the Kerrytown area of Ann Arbor, you might have noticed some new signs going up.
These are residential parking signs and they mean that only people with residental parking permits can park at those spaces for more than 2 hours 8am-6pm Monday-Saturday. The residential parking district will go into effect on Sunday, August 15, 2010.
Click here for information on Residential Parking Permits from the City of Ann Arbor.
So if you used to park in these spaces (On State, Ann, Thayer, Kingsley, etc). You might need to find another option. Click here for a map of the parking spaces being impacted by this change.
Of course, getDowntown is more than happy to help you explore your other options, many of which are free.
If you have a question about your downtown commuting options, please let us know by clicking here.
FYI:
City of Ann Arbor, MI Daily Digest
The Ann Arbor Art Fairs and Townie Street Party will close streets in the downtown Ann Arbor area during the week of July 19, 2010. In order to maintain timely service, routes 2 and 36 will be detoured all day on Monday, July 19 for the Townie Street Party and routes 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17 and 36 will be detoured Tuesday, July 20 – Saturday, July 24 around the Art Fairs.
Affected route and bus stop information can be found here.
AATA is advising passengers to plan their trips in advance and allow extra time for traveling on the affected routes. Please note that several routes in the University of Michigan (UM) Central Campus area are already detoured. The latest information on AATA routes, schedules and detours is available at 734.996.0400 and at www.TheRide.org/dd.asp.
Our updated guide to commuting into downtown Ann Arbor during the Art Fairs is now up on our website!
This year there is a new shuttle from the West Side leaving from Maple Village Shopping Center, a trolley that circulates around the downtown, as well as the other Art Fair shuttles that run from Pioneer High School Park & Ride Lot and Briarwood Mall. This information plus great maps, biking information and more are all found here.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact us at 734-214-0100!
(above) Ted before the fateful journey
My oh my are those Menlo Innovations employees innovative people! Take Ted Layher, a programmer at Menlo Innovations. Ted thought it would be fun to kayak and canoe from his job in downtown Ann Arbor near Gallup park to his home over by Dixboro Dam. This inspiration came to him while participating in this year’s getDowntown Commuter Challenge. Usually, Ted bikes to and from work, a trip that takes about 40 minutes one way. He thought the commute by Kayak and Canoe would take about an hour and a half.
So on one fine spring day in May, Ted recruited a bunch of other people (at Menlo you always work in pairs, so this wasn’t something he was going to do alone) and set off along the river.
Ted documented his journey (complete with pictures) on the Menlo Innovations blog. Read about the commute, what they saw, and much more here.
Here’s an interesting commuting option taking place tomorrow, from Menlo Employee Ted Layher:
I have a crazy idea for participating in the Commuter challenge.
A couple of us from Menlo Innovations are going to commute home via the Huron river kayaks and canoes. James and I both live in Ypsilanti, so our plan is to take the river from the Broadway bridge all the way down to the Dixboro dam and then carpool the rest of the way home. We’ve recruited a few friends and co-workers to come with us on the trip.
We will start from under the Broadway bridge at 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 20th. There are currently 5 of us making the trip. The fleet will begin to arrive under the Broadway bridge between 5:30 and 6:00pm and we anticipate a 6:00 launch.
I love rain. Being cozy under the blanket in the morning, rain provides the best lullaby. Taking a lazy stroll through the neighborhood, tugging at my boy friend’s arm, rain is most romantic. Not this morning though, as I am rushing to get to work in my pant suit and leather shoes, under the protection of a tiny umbrella which I have to say, created more of an adventure than any help from getting wet. So I like to know from my fellow walkers/bikers/bus riders, what accessories should I get to enjoy my walk to work on a rainy morning.
And here is a challenge to all those entrepreneurs out there: couldn’t we build an umbrella that will not resist the wind (so that I don’t have to run after my umbrella) but will direct water away from pouring down. I am sure this is doable, considering water is all about surface tension and those little droplets wanting huddle together.
This post is from Commuter Challenge Ambassador S. Kutty
After a long winter of boots and windshield scraping, it’s finally time to do more walking, busing and biking… and what a great way to kick it off with the Commuter Challenge!
I try to use sustainable commuting throughout the year but now that spring is here, one can really enjoy the outdoors on their way to work. Whether going for a walk while listening to my headphones, riding my bike or relaxing on the bus as the breeze flows through my hair – I feel great knowing that I am not only enjoying my surroundings and getting exercise but also helping the environment and utilizing our city transit system. And I don’t have to worry about parking or gas money!
The Commuter Challenge is a great way to let everyone know that there is no minimum requirement for going green… everyone can do it and there are many benefits to doing so! So get out there and celebrate summer, sustainable commuting and the Commuter Challenge!
The following post was submitted by Commuter Challenge Ambassador Christine T.
For Earth Day, President Obama encouraged all Americans to improve our environment. One of the ways he suggested was to take the bus to work:
That’s why, as we get ready to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, I want to leave you with a challenge.
I want you to take action – in your home or your community; at your school or your business – to improve our environment. It can be as simple as riding the bus or the subway to work, making your home more energy efficient, or organizing your neighbors to clean up a nearby park.
Perhaps one of the ways you can act on the President’s challenge is to be a part of our Commuter Challenge – pledge to take the bus, walk, bike or carpool for your commute during the month of May. Try a new bus route, or maybe fall back into some old habits like biking or walking a few days a week. Every sustainable trip you make helps (and during the Commuter Challenge, every commute comes with the chance to win prizes!)
If you need pointers on biking, walking, busing or carpooling to work, or wonder how the Commuter Challenge works, check out our website and contact us at 214-0100.
