Ann Arbor is known as Tree Town, but city officials are working to make it Bicycle Town, too.

City officials announced today that Ann Arbor has increased its on-road bike-lane system by 500 percent this decade - going from 8 to 48 lane miles. That more than surpasses the city's goal to increase the amount of on-road bike lanes by 300 percent in five years, Mayor John Hieftje said in a press release.

“I’m proud of the work that has been done to expand the city of Ann Arbor’s bike-lane system and making biking an easier, more accessible, alternative transportation option for our residents and visitors,” said Hieftje, who today set a new target for city staff to double current bike lane miles within the next five years.

Earlier this decade, the city initiated a non-motorized transportation initiative. At that time, the city system included eight miles of one-way, on-road bicycle lanes on only four roadways, including Earhart, Ellsworth, Green and Packard. And the extent of the system was counted in one direction only.

Today, the city has more than 24 centerline miles of on-road bicycle lanes. The goal is now to make that 50 centerline miles in five years.

In addition to its mileage goal, the city continues to expand and enhance the non-motorized system within the city. Ann Arbor is in the process of installing three pedestrian crossing islands, 13 countdown signals and crosswalk signing, and marking upgrades at 22 locations. Additional non-motorized improvements are under way along Fifth Avenue and Division Street.

Beginning in spring 2010, the city has plans for installing nearly 10 more miles of on-road bicycle lanes and independent side paths.

Ryan Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.

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