People for
Transportation Options (PTO)
Date: September 27, 2006, Time:
10:00 – 11:45 am @ S. Cedar Street, 12:00 – 1:30 pm @ 211 N. Grand Avenue,
Lansing
Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 25 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
LeRoy reviewed the agenda & invited participants to Complete the Street webcast
immediately following the PTO meeting (see slides at www.re-news.net/cto).
Comments from attendees:
Reiterate one of the group’s goals: Educate the Public. The group members
should use the "Low Hanging Fruit" method of responding to poignant State
Journal articles or editorials and find ways to increase community input for
public roadway projects.
Biking Items: TCBA is interested in finding funding for bike racks throughout
the city. TCBA can map out the best route for bikers. There also is a useful
Crosstown publication printed for providing information.
In August, group members learned the Tri-County continues to direct the federal
CMAQ money (1% project money) to CATA exclusively. Several group members are
involved with Smart Commute, Clean Commute, and a Lansing bicycle program. They
are knowledgeable and would like to influence the decision-making concerning
bicycle routing and amenities.
LMB
A large reconfiguration of the transportation system is in the works for Cedar &
Pennsylvania Streets, Interstate #96 and American Way in south Lansing. Several
meetings are scheduled to present alternatives to the community and community
input is being solicited. LMB received an invitation to attend and reported
after one of the meetings that the agency seems interested in incorporating a
multi-modal area.
PTO should consider developing an e-mail letter to provide speaking points for
citizen input. South Lansing lacks a pedestrian friendly environment that other
areas of Lansing have. Many studies bear out the economic benefits of areas
with biking paths and amenities so economic benefits should be emphasized for
the south Lansing reconfiguration.
John requested ideas for using and obtaining CMAC money to benefit non-motorized
transportation.
Kathy Dunbar, the City Council member-at-large, has been very supportive of
non-motorized transportation. An opportunity for an additional bike path exists
with the abandonment of the railway near Davis and Washington Parks.
Rail-to-Trails would like to expand the existing trail system in this area by
connecting to the riverfront. Rail-to-Trails is also working with the Heart of
Michigan to further expand the statewide trail system.
Senate Bill 1224 passed recently which prevents communities from creating side
paths. The best way to ensure non-motorized system success is to integrate
bicyclists into mainstream community.
Consider contacting the Lansing Economic Development Center to persuade their
organization to endorse bicycling in our community. The argument is that
walking and bicycling in a community are considered to be a significant quality
of life issue. In a 2004 survey of 15000+ residents, (1) safe streets was #1
and walkable streets was #3 of 30 items. (see page 10 of http://www.coolcities.com/cm/attach/7DAC9167-89CF-46DB-834C-D2382ED19B15/Summary_Findings.pdf
)
Oct 7 Bike Jam: Details are being finalized
Mayor has announced that areas of Lansing as far as walkable communities. A
task force will be assigned to determine bike rack needs. Enhancement grants
are available where $ for $ are matched between city and state for non-motorized
improvements. MDOT has $ for Complete the Street projects. The current mayor
is focusing on developing a regional quality of life.
Handout—quality of life surrounds many of the issues discussed.
November 13 Conference will recognize Lansing’s Promoting Active Communities
South Lansing Project IPACE –develop a sign-on letter to encourage citizen
participation.
John Waterman Conference Call @ 10:45 am: PEAK program is available to educate
all cyclists and to get people with disabilities out on bikes. Can run
individual training sessions and families ride program.
LCI (League of Cyclists) encourage refugees and others who have only bikes as a
means of transportation to participate in their ride safely program. Train the
trainers program is available; this program provides bicycling instruction to
support capacity building within a community.
www.Bikeprogram.org www.Bikeleague.org
Discussion on “What can we do to activate the community?” An upcoming event in
Battle Creek is planned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila Moore