Ann Arbor officials invite public to check out new 1.1-mile path along Washtenaw Avenue
Ann Arbor officials are inviting the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate a new shared-use path on Washtenaw Avenue.
The event will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot and adjacent sidewalk and path by the Assembly of God Church, 2455 Washtenaw Ave., near the intersection at Stadium.
The new 10-foot wide, non-motorized asphalt path was constructed along the north/northeast side of Washtenaw Avenue.
Extending from Glenwood Road to Tuomy Road, the 1.1-mile path connects the existing sidewalk system serving the downtown area and the University of Michigan campus with the Washtenaw/Huron Parkway commercial area to the east.
In addition to the main path, a connecting sidewalk was reconstructed between Washtenaw and Adare Circle.
Project partners included the city, Michigan Department of Transportation, Washtenaw Area Transportation Study, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Department, and Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.
City officials said the new path is intended to create a safe, convenient and comfortable environment for pedestrian and bicycle travel. In addition to accommodating non-motorized travel, it now allows nearby residents safer access to AATA service along Washtenaw.
AnnArbor.com previously reported the $1.58 million project was being paid for with a combination of $748,675 in federal funds, $772,091 from the city's alternative transportation fund, and a special assessment from property owners along Washtenaw Avenue.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Pei Huang
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 4:16 a.m.
I hope someone is really reading these comments. There should be a new traffic light for the new connecting sidewalk at Adare Circle. One key beneift of this new sidewalk is for Tappan students to walk to school from Ann Arbor Hills, but without a traffic light it is extremely dangerous for the studnets to cross Washtenaw in the speed limit of 45 mph. Cars fly through that section of Washtenaw.
laura wolf
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 2:47 a.m.
for those of you moaning about who will shovel the snow and mow the grass - the property owner is responsible for the right of way going past their property - same as everywhere else in the city. this is much more cost effective than using tax money to do the work. and i am 100% positive that more snow will be shoveled and lawn mown than when there was no pavement. for those of you who never walk or roll anywhere, we'll miss you out there.
Pei Huang
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 4:10 a.m.
the path is behind some of the houses, not in front, so I can't imagine how we are going to shovel the snow on the new sidewalk? We will have to walk through the woods in our backyard with a big shovel and get to the new sidewalk, and shovel the snow??
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
Probably the same place it's written that signs saying "Speed Limit" mean "Minimum Speed".
Blanch DuBois
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
It must be written somewhere in the driver's/cyclists handbook that stop signs outlined in white means that stopping is optional.
just a voice
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:07 p.m.
I think FredMax hit the nail on the head. Try biking past arborland and into ypsi and you'll see where that money should have been spent to make the area more bikeable.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
This is Ann Arbor money, and past Arborland is Pittsfield Township and Ypsilanti. Sorry, but Ann Arbor money should generally not be spent in neighboring communities.
Steve Pepple
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:17 p.m.
Two comments containing inappropriate language have been removed.
Chip Reed
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.
There has never been a sidewalk across Washtenaw from Tappan. It's fun to complain, and how can we make the world a better place if we can't make other people do things differently?
Goober
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:46 a.m.
Quite a tremendous waste of hard earned tax payer money. Ann Arbor should be listed in the same article that recently detailed government waste for our wars in Iraq and Afganistan. Remember to vote for all new city leaders and representatives this coming fall to change our experience from this tax, spend and waste pattern.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:26 a.m.
It's a very nice sidewalk that should have been put in decades ago. It's not a bike facility, and we shouldn't call it one. AASHTO is very clear that this is not the proper place for a multi-use path. There should be bike lanes on Washtenaw if we want to provide bike facilities. Of course, anyone else notice that gas prices are rising again, even though we may well be heading into another recession? At some point, a lot of people who constantly gripe about spending money on bike transportation facilities may want to try it after all.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 3:32 a.m.
Well, this will give the bikers something to ride next to. Sort of like that million dollar fiasco at Geddes and 23. Bikers STILL go through the roundabouts, ignoring the yield signs in the process. I can't make this crap up and never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it. I'm sure they had a good reason though.
EyeHeartA2
Wed, Sep 7, 2011 : 1:23 a.m.
I love it, "if you don't like it, move somewhere else". Can I use that sound logic when you complain about Snyder?
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.
Have you heard of something called "pedestrians"? Please do tell council to stop calling wide sidewalks bike facilities. But the sidewalks are valuable for pedestrians and cyclists who are afraid of rude motorists. So sorry for you, but the state requires us to spend some of our Act 51 money on non-motorized transportation. And the US DOT is happy to help fund non-motorized transportation projects too. If you think it's garbage, you're free to move somewhere else. You're welcome!
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 4:57 p.m.
Glad to know that. Now we can stop wasting money on bridges like the one over US23. You know, since the bikes are ***supposed*** to go through the roundabout anyway. Guess we somebody needs to tell city council to quit wasting money on this garbage too. Thanks for the help.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
Cyclists are ***supposed*** to go through the roundabout, just like the motorists do. They're supposed to yield to traffic immediately to their left, just like the motorists do. If they're in the roundabout and someone comes up behind them, the person behind them is supposed to yield to them just as they would behind a motorist. And you're darned right I'm going to continue biking on Washtenaw instead of using a sidewalk. That's one of the reasons the road authorities say you shouldn't build glorified sidewalks right beside roads - it makes some people think the cyclists belong on the sidewalk, when adult cyclists *always* belong on the road.
George Gaston
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 2:57 a.m.
Will this new path (sidewalk?) be kept clear of ice and snow in winter and, if so, who will be responsible for doing so?
Goober
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:48 a.m.
Guaranteed, the city will need to increase taxes for new snow equipment as a result.
Are you serious?
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
I suppose all of the bicyclists going down the hill to the east will come to a full stop (they always do at all the stop signs I see around town) before they cross the half dozen driveways that enter on the north side. I haven't figured out how the residents on the north side will be able to even see if anyone is riding down the sidewalk. Maybe the city will require them to put mirrors so they can look both ways before pulling onto Washtenaw. When I asked my city council person why it was built he did not even remember voting on it let alone what it cost. Oh well, business as usual.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
Traffic on the sidewalk isn't supposed to stop for driveways. People pulling out of driveways are required to stop before the sidewalk and only pull out when it's clear.
MRunner
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 2:07 a.m.
This is a welcome addition to the Washtenaw corridor. It will benefit any pedestrian headed to the Whole Foods/Barnes and Noble/etc. shopping area coming from the west. I have already used it prior to the official opening, and am very pleased with it. My only concern is whether the land between the sidewalk and the street, if seeded for grass, will be maintained throughout the year. Yes, it duplicates a *portion* of the sidewalk on the south side of the road. However, it should be noted that the sidewalk on the south side of Washtenaw between Platt and Huron Parkway is incomplete and inaccessible for wheelchairs/scooters in good weather, and is never cleared for any pedestrians in the winter. Hopefully the city will maintain the new path throughout the winter and beyond. While I generally agree with the concept the cycling in the road is safer than on the sidewalk, in this instance, cyclists will no doubt be safer on the new pathway than driving in traffic on this road with no shoulder. Yes, they will need to be aware of cars exiting the driveways, but in this instance, this should be safer than risking the unattentive driver on Washtenaw itself. I laugh at those commentators who cannot imagine someone biking to do their shopping, and then biking back, "uphill." This path is clearly not for you, and I don't expect you to see any advantage. It is funny- for all the comments negatively associated with bicycles on the roads in the past on this site, you would think that actually building a path to take bikes off one of the most dangerous, heavily traveled roads in Ann Arbor would be welcomed.
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
I thought so too. There is no "uphill" there. Slight incline maybe. In re to safety, I have posted heavily here on it. The good thing about this is that if some cyclists feel safer using it, great for them. I will stay on the road here because I feel safer on the road and since it is only 1.1 miles it is not worth it to me to use it and it will be slower. The other issue I have is that often they are not cleared of debris as well as the roadway.
USRepublic
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
Maybe Dingleberry could provide us with a couple million on the Obama credit card?
timjbd
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:04 p.m.
" $1.58 million project was being paid for with a combination of $748,675 in federal funds..." Maybe you could read the article?
Halter
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:22 a.m.
Biggest. Waste. Of . Money. Ever.
J Shaker
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.
cool. hopefully we'll get more bike paths all over town.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
My heart goes out to the person in the electric wheelchair, this is a perfect accomodation for you if it were on level ground. From personal experience. My father, god rest his soul, lost his life when the batteries could not handle a long ride on a shopping trip. That turned in to a series of events which cost him his life. Please make sure you have heavy duty batteries in your chair for carrying extra weight and going up hill for a length. A full charge before taking that ride both ways will be very necessary.
blueeyedpupil
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 3 a.m.
Oh i know hills and steep grades, i live in Ypsi down in the valley. Everywhere is uphill. And many here walk it , bike it, and scooter it. I make sure im fully charged up for all my excursions. I have a deluxe heavy duty scooter that carries my fat butt and all my purchases up and down the hills of Ypsi and Ann Arbor. I dont ask much just decent curb cuts, and a path that is reasonably smooth. Im so sorry about your father, that should never happen to anyone. I now always carry my charger for emergencies. I do this ever since i ran out of power crossing washtenaw from arborland when they first stopped the busses at arborland. it was the beginning of a blizzard and while some one brought me the charger. The lovely people party store on the south side, let me wait in their store and then let me charge it up to get home. They were so kind.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:04 a.m.
It's going to be an uphill battle carrying those "essentials" uphill. Keep that in mind as you leave your home with your wallet or purse only and coast down the hill empty handed. Meanwhile the State Street bridge is either going to fall down or get knocked down by an oversized truck. I witnessed a truck stopped less then 10 feet from the bridge one day with cars stacked on it. The driver was outside the truck with a bewildered look on his face and scratching his head. Will it take a serious injury or death to get that eyesore and obviously dangerous situation fixed?
A2Woman
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
Hopefully they will begin in November, as promised, on the bridges. It's been the elephant in the room in A2 for quite some time. I agree, does it take a serious injury or death to get the attention of the city?
Goofus
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 11:34 p.m.
It's amazing to me that the city can get this useless sidewalk built and then have a fanfare about it...but still in unable, after nearly 1/2 decade...to get the State St Bridge repaired or build a pedestrian path on washtenaw under US23.
Tom Joad
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
I disagree vehemently. This path is on the right side for cyclists to do their shopping at Arborland, Whole Foods, Barnes&Noble. The path on the adjacent side is, well, on the wrong side of the road. If you don't ride a bike you don't know how difficult it is to cross a major thoroughfare on a bike, like bottleneck Washtenaw. Are you supposed to take your chances and cross it riding your bike across the crosswalk or jumping into the left turn lane...GOOD LUCK Anything that separates bikes from cars is good. Even riding a bike on Washtenaw is almost suicidal...forget about it. I'd still ride the new path with 100% attention because you still have to cross numerous streets and plenty of driveways to get to Arborland. The biggest headache is going to be for the homeowners along the route because for them to enter Washtenaw requires waiting for traffic to clear and that means temp blocking the path. Ride smart, ride safe. Keep your speed down because you never know what's going to cross your path and overtaking walkers is a scary proposition for them.
blueeyedpupil
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
And i can lolad all my groceries and stuff from BBB on my scooter. This may make the scooter wider than usual but if the sidewalk is there i can scooter all the way back to ypsi with no worries about trying to board the bus with full load of groceries, which is darn near impossible. Its not surprising that those with cars just dont get it.
santino
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 10:28 p.m.
I totally agree with Townie. What a waste of money.
Sallyxyz
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
What am I missing here? A bike path that runs from downtown though the campus to Arborland. So what? Who is going to use it and for what purpose? Are recreational bicyclists going to find it fun to ride along Washtenaw Ave along side heavy traffic sprewing exhaust and pollution? And if not for recreation, then what is the purpose? Are bicyclists going to ride from the campus to Arborland to buy groceries at Hillers or a table and chairs at BB&B? So after a half hour bike ride from downtown, they purchase what, a melon, and some apples, and try to take them back on their bike for another half hour peddle back to campus (uphill this time). Can they take the table and chairs back on their bikes? Not likely The table and chairs could be purchased online and delivered. The food shopping is most likely done in a car so the groceries can be transported back to the apartment. So, why would bicyclists use this new path from downtown to Arborland?
Ann E.
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
You are missing the fact that not everyone has a car. Students ride bikes from Ann Arbor to attend classes at WCC and EMU where there is little parking space. With the rising costs of tuition more and more students are depending on bikes with the accompanying health and environmental benefits. Many employees are choosing to ride bikes to and from work as well.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:59 a.m.
Sally, I put about 80 pounds of stuff in my bike trailer this past Saturday, and went home from downtown up Pontiac Street with it. With just my bike bags, I could carry four or five plastic bags of groceries. Hillers to the diag would take me about 15 minutes - even the Google 12mph route says it's only 20. More likely, Whole Foods to the diag is 15 minutes according to Google, which regular cyclists could do in 10 or 12 minutes.
Tom Joad
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 10:45 p.m.
Stay in your car. You've obviously never rode a bike. You can fit a lot of essential groceries in a back pack, and even more in your Pannier Bike Bag. I'd prefer to ride my bike than fight for a parking spot and sit in Washtenaw traffic.
blueeyedpupil
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 10:10 p.m.
you forget that not everyone has an automobile to do thier shopping.I use a handicapped scooter and the area was not scooter friendly. This may not be a big issue to you, but to many of us handicapped people the new route should be a great improvement. I wonder if you have any idea how difficult travel on washtenaws supposed sidewalks and paths is? It is really unsafe to have to switch sides of washtenaw thru all that traffic because the sidewalk stops and starts with no logical reason. If i take the bus to huron river parkway and then wish t shop at assorted stores this new route will mean safety and convenience for me and others. Also dirt paths are not cleared in the winter and many have no curb cuts to exit. which means back tracking to the last curb cut and the braving the washtenaw traffic with my scooter in the street. hoping everyone is paying attention and sees me before they hit me. Never forget that not everyone is as mobile as you. Cut us a break now and then.
AAresid
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
For those who claim duplication, there's a short path on a small stretch of the South side of Washtenaw. Biking on the sidewalk across from Whole Foods is a mine field where you weave in and out of parking lots. The old sidewalk along the stretch of Washtenaw leading to campus was too narrow for a bike to pass a pedestrian and in bad shape. I think a lot of funds are wasted here in AA, but this was a well justified and terrific project. The lack of decent bike paths in this city is an embarrassment, and it's about time they started to address this.
cette
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 11 p.m.
It's very expensive path for the distance. I don't know how biking on the sidewalks next to Whole Foods is that much better then the other side. I would have rather that walkover bridges were built so pedestrians could cross Washtenaw at Platt safely as well as further up Washtenaw by Arborland. And Sallyxyz is right, the path is very close to the road, the path on the other side of the street is further off the road, much quieter and safer. It's about half the distance of the total path, so paying so much for duplication across the street is silly at this point in time given budget constraints.
Goober
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
A continuation of tax, spend and waste. Another reason to vote against all incumbents in our next election.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:11 a.m.
Another thoughtful comment from a person named Goober.
David Briegel
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.
Just vote against all TeaPublicans!
MyOpinion
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
I take it that most of the detractors to this path are not bicyclists. Riding a bike on a path on the wrong side of the road is really dangerous. Cars are not expecting anything coming om the right. Likewise, while there is a path on the opposite side of the major street, any city that aims to be biker/pedestrian friendly needs paths on both sides of the street. I've biked all over the country and none of the bike friendly cities has bikers crossing major intersections to ride a several mile path going in the wrong direction. As to cost per mile - seems expensive, but my guess was that this was bid out. If it could have been done for $100,000 I expect a local bidder would have offered that price.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 11:01 a.m.
Obvious - have you ever actually walked or biked anywhere in Michigan? Motorists stop on top of the sidewalks and *then* look both ways.
obviouscomment
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 11:30 p.m.
since the path will be visible to the drivers, they will be able to look both ways and anticipate pedestrians and bicyclists...just as they should normally look both ways
townie54
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
the money this town wastes in a bad economy is just incredible.Does anyone on the council see that buckets (pun intended) of money go to fake trees in west park,art,a giant urinal,trails,and green belts for a creek you cant see but lays off fireman and police officers.We just had three late night robberies in one night and a guy that attacks women still loose
Marilyn Wilkie
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 8:09 p.m.
Another place for weeds to grow along.
Linda Peck
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
I think it's great and it will be used a lot! That is a big roadway and having walkways on both sides is very important and beneficial.
DBH
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
I don't agree or disagree with you because I am not that familiar with the area other than occasionally driving by it on my way to a destination. Why do you think it was an important and beneficial addition, given that there apparently is a walkway on the other side of the street and the fact that it cost $1.58 million?
Mick52
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 7:31 p.m.
Seems like a high price tag for only 1.1 miles. Also if it crosses driveways or other streets, it is unsafe for bicycle travel which should stay on the roadway. Maybe the improved access to AATA cost a significant amount of this. $1.58 million for 1.1 miles. Jeez, that is a hefty price tag could have been much better spent on bike facilities.
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
<a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/signs-tell-cyclists-on-sidewalks-to-slow-down-or-walk-bikes-downtown/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/signs-tell-cyclists-on-sidewalks-to-slow-down-or-walk-bikes-downtown/</a>
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.
Blueeyes, what I meant by watching for care, peds and bikes is that it is not so hard for a driver to spot vehicular traffic and peds but to add bikes to the mix is much more difficult. That is simply because sidewalk travel is supposed to be slow and easy to spot. A bike traveling four or five times as fast as a ped is much farther down the sidewalk and harder to spot. That video from the Chicago link points out the problems with examples. I do not expect you to believe me, that is why I provided several links that illustrate the common thinking. You are safer on the street when riding a bike.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:06 a.m.
"If you as a driver cannot watch multiple vehicles and pedestrians at the same time you should not have a drivers license. " Yeah, well, a lot of us walking and biking think the same thing, but they hand out driver's licenses like confetti anyway. All you need to do is watch motorists pulling up to sidewalks from driveways to see why biking on sidewalks is a problem. Go to a nearby Kroger or something (not just Kroger, but they tend to have enough traffic to see the problem quickly) and watch the motorists blithely pulling into the sidewalk without looking. They stop before they pull into the street, but they don't stop before pulling into the sidewalk.
blueeyedpupil
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 2:45 a.m.
MIck52 wrote: When a driver makes a turn they cannot be expected to look for both vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic and bikes moving quickly down the sidewalk If you as a driver cannot watch multiple vehicles and pedestrians at the same time you should not have a drivers license. Maybe you should consider only driving on two lane country roads with no people, bikes or other cars. As these are things drivers encounter each and every day, especially on a busy corridor like Washtenaw. And most pedestrians, bikers, scooter users are very careful and will yield to most any car since some drivers just dont pay attention. Most drivers are very careful and respectful, the other give them a bad name
obviouscomment
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:50 a.m.
"they cannot be expected to look for both vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic and bikes" hmm...sounds like this could be a good argument for the crosswalk law too
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:56 a.m.
Here: <a href="http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/sidecrash.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/sidecrash.htm</a> <a href="http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/sidecrash.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/sidecrash.htm</a> New York City is uber bike friendly, it is illegal to ride on a sidewalk there: <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/biketips.shtml" rel='nofollow'>http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/biketips.shtml</a> Even in info for youths after ten years or so: <a href="http://www.ecoact.org/Programs/Transportation/Safe_Routes_to_School/safety_tips.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.ecoact.org/Programs/Transportation/Safe_Routes_to_School/safety_tips.htm</a> Chicago is another leader in bicycling where it is illegal for adults to ride on the sidewalk. Great video here with examples: <a href="http://chicagobikes.org/video/index.php?loadVideo=sidewalk" rel='nofollow'>http://chicagobikes.org/video/index.php?loadVideo=sidewalk</a> That should be obvious enough, eh?
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.
The greatest risk to bicyclists is a vehicle turning right when a bicycle is traveling in the same direction. If the driver does not see the bicycle coming up from the rear on the sidewalk the car can turn right into the bike's path. Normally a person on a sidewalk has the right of way but again the bike would be much more to the rear out of the driver's line of sight but closing at a rate that can result in a collision. In the area of bicycle lane planning, there is an entire school of thought that there should be no extraneous markings, bike lanes, etc. and that bikes should simply ride in traffic with traffic and obey all traffic laws. Those folks believe that is the safest possible way for bikes to co-exist in traffic. The fact is that if you are on a bike you are either a "vehicle" or a pedestrian and you cannot be both. Thus you cannot ride on a sidewalk like you are riding in traffic. Drivers just cannot spot bikes on sidewalks in addition in the same manner they can see pedestrians. Thus it is obvious that it is more dangerous to ride a bike on a sidewalk except when there are few or no traffic crossings.
Mick52
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.
Actually many research studies have been done on bicycle safety and bicycles on sidewalks are at greater risk. It is quite simple really. A bicycle travels at a much greater speed than a pedestrian and can be out of the line of vision of a driver entering the roadway from a cross street or a driveway in the path of a bicycle. When a driver makes a turn they cannot be expected to look for both vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic and bikes moving quickly down the sidewalk. If bikes directed to travel on paths adjacent to and crossing streets and driveways, you need extra traffic control-stop signs- at those intersections. A local example of this is on Platt Rd south of Michigan Ave where there are stop signs on the path for bikes at the intersections of driveways. Also, the Metro Parks have stop signs for bikes at street intersections.
blueeyedpupil
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 11:55 p.m.
obvious is obviously correct
obviouscomment
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 11:27 p.m.
what does crossing driveways and streets have to do with the safety of bicycle travel? if they were in the road they would still cross in front of vehicles from streets and driveways...
FredMax
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 : 7:23 p.m.
$1.5 million to duplicate a path already on the other side? Is there some value added missing in the explanation given in the article?
Andy
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
Agree with KJM. Why bother to put a sidewalk on both sides of a busy (5-lane?) road? In fact, why have a sidewalk at all? Cars need that space to drive in, you know.
KJMClark
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 10:09 a.m.
Yeah, and we should get rid of the expressways too! There are perfectly good roads going everywhere the expressways go. What a boondoggle those things are! Seriously? There are supposed to be sidewalks on both sides of every street. If you don't like that, move somewhere backward. Please.
aes
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 8:54 a.m.
Couldn't agree with you more--this new path is unnecessary, redundant, and frivolous when the streets of Ann Arbot are in shambles, we are lacking a safe bridge over Stadium, and city public safety services (oh, I know--those are kept in separate "buckets"!) are slipping and sliding away.
FredMax
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
I think you should have to pay $1.5 million back to the taxpayers, and don't forget to tell us what job you take to earn the money!
David Briegel
Tue, Sep 6, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
same as above, and don't forget to tell us how you make out!