Ypsilanti non-motorized plan feedback

[WBWC]

You may be aware that the City of Ypsilanti is updating its non-motorized plan (latest draft PDF here) and seeking public comment on it. As WBWC is formulating its response to the plan, we'd like to initiate a discussion of the plan. Some aspects to consider:

• does the plan go far enough in protecting vulnerable road users?
• are the plan's priorities appropriate?
• are there any items that you feel the plan leaves out, or that you especially appreciate?
• what are the areas of Ypsilanti that could most benefit from interventions?

You can contribute to this discussion publicly by simply replying to this e-mail. You may also send your comments to the WBWC board directly at in...@wbwc.org. If you wish to participate more intensively with WBWC's response to the plan, please also e-mail us at in...@wbwc.org. 

Finally, we encourage everyone to provide feedback directly to the City of Ypsilanti (instructions here). Please note that the deadline for comments is June 14.

WBWC Board

[Ken Clark]

Traffic calming.  Nowhere in the whole plan does it mention traffic calming.  It repeatedly points out motor vehicle speeds, but never gets around to saying they need to take measures to slow them to safe speeds. 

I think it's great that they had residents come up with a bike route system.  But without putting traffic calming measures on those streets, it's not clear why people would use them.  There should be more support in the plan for ensuring safe traffic speeds on those routes.  There should also be a proposal for more bike lanes.  That was the biggest problem noted in their survey.

It's terrific that they're proposing vision zero.  And really, MDOT should provide more support for every community that wants to put in more mid-block crosswalks.  I'd like to see some discussion of enforcement to go along with mid-block crosswalks and an improved crossing ordinance.

For that matter, the tiny section on enforcement isn't really adequate.  I get why they didn't want to call for more enforcement, but it seems like they could call out speeding and other aggressive driving enforcement directly, and then keep the rest of the statement.  Maybe it should just call for more automated enforcement if/when the state legislature comes around. 

Ken

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Please note that WBWC google groups is an unmoderated forum. It was developed by the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition as a tool for bikers and walkers to discuss key issues and share information. However, not all views expressed in this group are the views or values of WBWC. For more information about WBWC, meetings, and projects, please visit www.wbwc.org
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[Eric Macks]

I am eating out at Shalimar tonight and sitting at a table on Main Street.
I noticed recently that there are signs at William in Main Street stating that bicycles should be walked while the street is closed to motor traffic and being used for dining.

But it seems kind of discriminatory to single out bicycles when pedicabs, motorized single wheel vehicles, and motorized scooters are zipping by frequently.

Maybe I missed signs that said no wheeled vehicles, but I believe they only say no bicycles ridden down the street. Oh yeah, there are some bikes going by occasionally too.

This is not a big concern me, but wondered what others thought about the signage.

[Ken Clark]

Personally, I just bike slowly through those zones.  The Main Street Association has always been unusually anti-bike.  The DDA overall isn't so bad.  Those signs have no legal standing, it's just a request.  It's not unreasonable for them to ask everyone to slow to a running pace or less, but you're not really under any obligation to actually walk the bike.

Ken

--
Please note that WBWC google groups is an unmoderated forum. It was developed by the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition as a tool for bikers and walkers to discuss key issues and share information. However, not all views expressed in this group are the views or values of WBWC. For more information about WBWC, meetings, and projects, please visit www.wbwc.org
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