October, 2006 Letters about Hagadorn

Note:  Some of the formatting has been lost due to unknown forces of nature ; - )

In chronological order... (most recent first)

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Jessica Yorko

Dear Mr. Sneathen,

While I am not intimately knowledgeable on the details of proposed changes to Hagadorn Road, I did want to send you this note in support of the concept of road diets where they make sense. It would be just wonderful if a road diet could make sense for Hagadorn Road. It would help all who walk, bike, and drive on Hagadorn Road, which is I'm sure a significant number.

Some of the benefits:

- Left-turning cars are removed from the line of traffic with the addition of a center turn lane. The remaining two auto lanes are more than enough to handle the majority of car traffic demands.

- Dramatic improvements in safety, walkability, and bikability.

- Creating a buffer between the sidewalk and car traffic help people feel more secure walking.

- A recent survey of 13,000+ MI residents revealed that safe streets and walkability were in the top three of 30 attributes of preferred places to live. (www.coolcities.com).

Thanks for all the great work you do for the City of East Lansing.

Sincerely,

Jessica Yorko
Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council
 

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Karen Kligman

I have been a resident of East Lansing for over thirty years and have lived at my current address on Lexington one block west of Hagadorn (and south of Albert) for over twenty years.  I bicycle commute to work in downtown Lansing, and I ride for recreation over half of the year.  During winter months I frequently walk to downtown East Lansing and to campus.  Converting Hagadorn from “4 to 3 + 2,” will have a significant effect on me and I strongly support the conversion.
 
The City deserves recognition for the conversion of Burcham Road to this configuration.  I ride on Burcham Road almost daily when I’m commuting, and as a pedestrian, the “bike lane” provides a nice buffer from traffic since the sidewalk is so close to the road.  I think the same benefits will be gained if Hagadorn is converted.
 
As a cyclist there are limited alternatives for north-south roads that allow for connections to east-west roads.  The conversion of Hagadorn would be another step towards achieving that goal.  Unfortunately, this conversion does not address the intersection of Grand River and Hagadorn, which I find to be the most dangerous part of my commute (as a pedestrian, too.)
 
Although I do support this conversion, I have some questions.  In the plans I reviewed, the conversion begins north of Old Canton.  As a motorist driving north on Hagadorn and turning west onto Old Canton, there isn’t a day that I don’t worry about being rear-ended as I slow to make my turn onto Old Canton.  There are times of the day when cars driving south on Hagadorn and turning east onto Grand River are backed up north of Old Canton.  How will the conversion handle that traffic? 
 
Despite my concerns, I think this proposal would greatly enhance the walkability/bikability of East Lansing.  Thank you for considering this proposal.
 
Karen Kligman
East Lansing

 

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Gary Guenther 

 

I’m a 67 year old retiree who moved from Meridian Twp to East Lansing 3 years ago. I currently live on Lexington Ave and walk and bicycle to many places in East Lansing as well as throughout the tri- county area. I think one of the most positive things that the city did for bicyclists was the conversion of Burcham from 4 lanes to 2 with the bike lanes and left turn lane. It has made the street safer and more comfortable for bicyclists. In the past, motorists would sometimes aggressively pass and holler for me to get off of the street where now they recognize my right to be there because of the visibly designated bike lanes. Since I am retired, I also have the luxury of being able to spend considerable time bicycling in other parts of the country. Two places that impressed me the most are Davis, California and Tucson, Arizona, both of which are designated as “Bicycle Friendly Communities” and would be very attractive places to live because of what they have done to earn that designation. I think East Lansing has that same potential and encourage you to continue to make this a more Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly community. Converting Hagadorn from 4 lanes to 2 would be a step in the right direction and I fully support the conversion.
 
Gary Guenther
East Lansing, Mi 48823

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John Lindenmayer
 

Dear City Council Members,

I strongly encourage the City of East Lansing to putt Hagadorn Road on a "road diet."  

Studies indicate that similar lane conversions not only improve safety, walkability, and bikeability but also do not tend to slow down traffic.  This is because left-turning cars are removed from the line of traffic with the addition of a center turn lane.  I reference the study on Abbot Road that was done earlier this year in which a four to three-lane conversion revealed a 44% reduction in overall accidents after the conversion and a %100 reduction in bicycle-related accidents.

Equally important to the safety concerns are the great health, economic, and environmental improvements that can be achieved within communities committed to becoming bicycle-friendly.  A Hagadorn lane conversion would offer the opportunity to install bike lanes and other nonmotorized improvements.  I strongly encourage bike lanes be added to Hagadorn as well as all other East Lansing streets where they are practical.  Below are excerpts from a letter that the League of Michigan Bicyclists hand delivered last week to all State Legislatures about the benefits of bicycling in Michigan.  Although the information was drafted originally to a statewide audience, I am sure you will find this information useful in making your decision on the Hagadorn lane conversion issue.

Bicycling Improves Michigan’s Public Health

·   Bicycling keeps people healthy.  That’s good news given the increasing illness and healthcare costs in Michigan.  Sedentary lifestyles are contributing to Michigan’s obesity epidemic and record levels of premature death from heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and other weight-related health problems.  According the League of American Bicyclists, just three hours of bicycling per week can reduce a person’s risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.

·   Bicycling is a fun and easy way for Michigan residents to stay fit.  Bicycling for routine trips such as to school, work, and shopping can provide enough exercise each week to have a positive impact on people’s health without having to set aside time specifically for exercise.

·   With more than 11% of Michiganders – about 1.13 million people – not insured according to the 2005 U.S. Census Bureau, staying physically fit with activities like bicycling is becoming increasingly important.

Bicycling Improves Michigan’s Economy

·      Bicycling is good for Michigan’s economy.  According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association and Bureau of Transportation Statistics in 2003, U.S. consumers bought 18.5 million bicycles.  That’s 3.7 million more than all the cars and trucks purchased in the U.S. that year.  The LMB estimates that over $200 million are spent on direct bicycle industry purchases each year in Michigan with a substantial amount more spent on indirect bicycle related expenditures.  Our Wisconsin neighbors recently completed an extensive economic impact report on bicycling for their state.  The report indicates that bicycle manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, retail/service, and other services attribute 3,420 jobs and $556 million annually to the state’s economy.

·   Additionally bicycling improves Michigan’s economy by lowering energy costs (which also makes Michigan less vulnerability to energy interruptions), revitalizing neighborhood shopping areas, lowering health care costs, saving employers from lost productivity from poor health and road congestion, and lowering Michigan’s transportation costs which leaves more disposable income for residents to recirculate through the Michigan economy.

Bicycling Improves Michigan Communities

·   Bicycling is a strong link in the chain of healthy communities. Bicycling enhances public safety and security by increasing the number of “eyes on the street.” Bicyclists tend to travel at a slower pace, interact with neighbors, and experience their neighborhoods firsthand by participating socially and economically in their local communities.

·   Public safety is also enhanced in bicycle-friendly communities by providing more options for movement in the event of emergencies, natural disasters, and major public events.

·   Bicycle commuting is a positive alternative to garage-highway-garage journeys that isolate commuters and clog roads.  More bicyclists mean less traffic, cleaner air, and fewer accidents. Bicycle-friendly communities are attractive destinations for new residents, tourists and businesses.  

·   Bicycling enhances recreational opportunities, especially for children, and further contributes to the quality of life in the community. According to America Bikes and the National Center for Health and Statistics, in just one generation, the percentage of children who walk or bike to school has dropped 75% while the number of overweight children has tripled.  This is a startling statistic to a culture that prides itself on investing in today’s youth as tomorrow’s leaders.  Exciting bicycle-related projects, however, such as Michigan Safe Routes to School are playing a vital role in providing Michigan children with safe and convenient opportunities to become healthy and active.

Bicycling Improves Michigan’s Environment

·   Bicycling improves the environment by reducing the impact of pollution and noise, limiting greenhouse gases, and improving the quality of public spaces.  With ozone action days becoming a common occurrence in communities across Michigan who fail to meat EPA air quality standards, providing alternative transportation options to polluting automobile traffic has never been more important.   

·   The most frequent trips for bicyclists – those less than five miles – produce the greatest environmental benefit since automobile trips under five miles in length are the least fuel efficient and produce the highest emissions per mile.  (It is worth noting too, that many bicycle commuters report that these shorter trips can actually be quicker than driving to the same destination.)

·   Smart Growth principles that include nonmotorized transportation options also help preserve Michigan’s farming heritage by reducing urbanization of agricultural and sensitive lands.  With tourism being one of Michigan’s most important economies, it is vital that our state act prudently to protect and preserve the natural landscape that is the backbone of the tourism industry.
 
With nearly 40% of U.S. adults riding bikes according to the Outdoor Association and 53% of Americans favoring increased federal spending on bike facilities reported by America Bikes, bicyclists are an important constituency that can help have a positive impact on Michigan’s economy, public health, transportation and land use, sense of community, and environment.  The LMB is extremely excited to continue to work with local communities like East Lansing on bicycle-friendly initiatives.

Thank you for considering my input in the matter of the Hagadorn Road diet.

--
John Lindenmayer
Associate Director
League of Michigan Bicyclists
www.LMB.org
Phone:  (517) 334-9100
416 S. Cedar St, Suite A
Lansing, MI 48912

 

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Steve van  Nocker

Hello E.L. Transportation Commission!

I strongly support a conversion of Hagadorn to three lanes plus bike lanes. 
I routinely bike in the mornings from my home in Glencairn down the length
of Burcham (a nice ride since the resurfacing!) to drop my kids at Marble
and Eastminster, then have to negotiate the neighborhood streets to get down
to MSU (possible, but lengthy).  I think more people like myself would make
the habit of biking if that route were more intuitive and efficient.  I've
spoken to several occupants of the large tract northwest of the
Saginaw/Hagadorn intersection that would like to bike given a better route.

In addition, this would be a nice access for much of the City to the
businesses near the Grand River and Hagadorn intersection (eg Beaner's Tasty
Twist).  We do bike over there occasionally, but are much more likely to
visit given a safe route.

After you consider Hagadorn, I hope you will get together with MDOT and work
on the weakest link in the network - the ~mile along Grand River Ave. from
Michigan to Hagadorn.


Sincerely,
Steve van Nocker
East Lansing

 

 

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Kristin Bott

Greetings,

I'm writing regarding potential changes to Hagadorn Road.  I support the reduction of car lanes from four to three, and the addition of bike lanes and marked pedestrian crossings.  These changes will make Hagadorn more friendly toward a number of different transportation options, including cycling and walking.

As an East Lansing resident and a student and employee at Michigan State, I spent a great deal of time moving around the area on my bike, on the road (where cyclists belong - see MVC 257.657).  Roads with bike lanes are not only safer for cyclists but also (based on my experience) anger fewer drivers, as cyclists are out of the main flow of traffic.  Keeping main roads bike-friendly should be a focus of transportation planning, especially given the importance of alternative transportation as we face issues like climate change driven by anthropogenic emissions and other examples of the  "real" cost of fossil fuels.

Also, speaking as a cyclist - I'm co-coordinating the women's division of the MSU cycling team -  Hagadorn has the potential to be another cyclist-friendly road in the East Lansing area.  Many common cycling routes are south of MSU's campus, and it is important to provide connecting roads that are bike-friendly, both in the sense of a welcoming roadway and a safe thoroughfare - space to be visible and space to be ride safely.

If anyone doubts the importance of bike-friendly spaces, I invite you out on a ride - on a road without an official bike lane, instead leaving you a few inches of shoulder, or put in traffic, while being passed by racing SUV's at 40 mph at an arm's length.

I trust that you will keep the goal of walkable/bikeable/sustainable communities in mind in your planning decisions, and look forward to living and working in a community that continues to support all forms of transportation.

Sincerely,

Kristin Bott


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Terry Hunt

 

I would appreciate your sharing these comments with the Transportation Commission.
 
My name is Terry Hunt and I live at 1530 Mt. Vernon. 

A team of MSU students and faculty studied the Hagadorn Road Corridor during 2005 and recommended that the community:

·        Add bike lanes and reduce car lanes from: 4 to 3

·        Explore feasibility of burying power lines

·        Improve lighting

·        Improve signage to increase visibility of numerous neighborhood associations  and neighborhood parks located in the corridor and alert drivers of school zones

·         Add benches and pedestrian crossings

 

 

I support all of these improvements, including converting Hagadorn from 4 car lanes to 3 and adding bike lanes.  I believe this change will: 

-  improve safety.  We have lived in our house for 30 years.  We have heard and seen many car crashes as drivers attempt a left turn from Hagadorn onto a side street.  By taking left-turning cars out of traffic, the number of crashes should significantly decrease.  Additionally, this third lane also provides a safer haven for pedestrians attempting to cross busy streets.  Installing a median or rain garden would also help beautify the board and reduce noise and polution.

*  improve walkability/bikability.  By adding bike lanes, students and permanent residents will have more options for walking/biking to and from campus, shopping and for exercise. 

 

I also encourage the city to adpot a "complete streets policy" for all of its streets.

 

Thank you for time and consideration.

Terry Hunt

 

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Diana Twede

Hi Todd.
I'm writing to support the effort to reduce Hagadorn Road from 4
lanes to 3 + bike lanes.

MSU is committed to improving bicycle commuting, and I think that our
city should be too. As a member of the MSU All University Traffic and Transportation
Committee, and a committed bicycle commuter, I believe that this
would greatly improve the use of Hagadorn Road as an access to and
past campus.  This would bring the City into accordance with the
University as it adds bike lanes and bike services throughout the campus.
Diana Twede

Diana Twede, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Packaging
Michigan State University


Editor, Packaging Technology and Science
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jhome/4545
 

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Mat Reeves

Dear Transportation Commission,

 

I am writing to support the proposal to add bike lanes to Hagadorn Road. I commute on Hagadorn Road from near the intersection with Lake Lansing Road every day on my way to campus where I work as an epidemiologist in the medical school. For 10 months of the year I use my bicycle.  However, at rush hour in particular, I am not able to ride my bike on Hagadorn Road since cars do not pass by me at a safe distance. I am therefore forced to ride on the sidewalk which (paradoxically) is more dangerous as drivers pull out on their driveways and don’t check the sidewalks for bikers, runners or walkers. I see many other bikers having to ride on the sidewalk as well.

 

I also drive Hagadorn Road on occasion and find the drive to be slow and often dangerous, especially at rush hour, as cars always have to slow down and stop to allow cars to turn. I also suspect that the new configuration would help reduce speeding near the Marble elementary and McDonald middle schools where the speed limit is 25 mph.  

The essential point is that a 3+2 configuration would improve the safety of the road immeasurably without slowing traffic down. It would allow this major north-south route to be used safely by bicyclists and would promote biking and walking for the many children who attend the elementary and middle schools (as my kids do!).

 

The final thing I want to say is that university towns such as East Lansing should be seen to be leaders in the development of bike-able and walk-able communities. When I travel to other mid-western college towns like Ann Arbor, Madison, and even Columbus, OH, I am struck by how well developed their transportation systems are and how well integrated the biking and walking trails are between the campus and the rest of the community. East Lansing should strive to develop that same level of integrative transportation systems. This would not only improve the quality of life of its residents but also help promote Michigan as a place for young professionals and families to move to at a time when our state sorely needs to attract outside investment.

 

If you would like me to attend the meeting in person to make these comments please let me know.

 

Thank You,

 

Mat Reeves, PhD

Associate Professor Epidemiology, MSU

And East Lansing resident

 

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Elise Harvey

 

Dear Sir,
    Hagadorn Road is very close to my home [1619 Mt. Vernon]. The ideas
about changing Hagadorn to a safer road for _all_ of us -- bikers,
walkers and drivers -- are very wise. Please do so, sir. Four lanes to
the 3 suggested for the turning safety, sounds very good. Thank you.
Sincerely, Elise Harvey

 

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Andrew Kilpatrick

Todd,

I understand that the East Lansing Transportation Commission will be reviewing and taking action on the conversion of Hagadorn Road from four to three lanes with bike lanes, or as some like to call it, four lanes to 3+2.

The city of Lansing fully supports these type of conversions and I can attest that they work very well when applied under appropriate situations.  We received positive support when we converted a section of Kalamazoo Street almost eight years ago and the road continues to operate very well today.  We have developed plans for the conversion of several other streets in Lansing and hope to begin implementing some of these in the near future.  I'm sure you've had positive experiences with these conversions in East Lansing as well.

Congratulations on developing plans for this conversion.  I encourage you to look at other streets with similar configurations, including Coolidge, Harrison and even Abbott.  From driving these, even at busy times, I think they would make good candidates for conversions.

If you need any support at the meeting next week, feel free to let me know.  I would be happy to share our experience with these conversions and my observations on how they operate (pre and post-conversion).

Andy

 

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Sanjay Bisht

October 10, 2006
 
Todd Sneathen
East Lansing Transportation Commission
 
I encourage the East Lansing Transportation Commission to change Hagadorn Road into a 3 + 2 style road with 2 lanes, a center turn lane, and two bike lanes.  As a seventeen year East Lansing resident, who has attended McDonald Middle School, Hannah Middle School, East Lansing High School, and Michigan State University, I think this change would add marvels to our community.
 
Hagadorn could turn into one of the premier roads and stretches in East Lansing were this to happen.  As of now, the nature of the road is dangerous, with four lanes, fast cars, and lots of noise.  Adding the bike lanes and “completing-the-streets” would make progress towards building a sustainable, friendly community for all stake-holders.
 
After the Hagadorn Road diet is approved, please work on changing Coolidge to a 3 + 2 style road, since it is much the same as Hagadorn.  The traffic on Coolidge does not warrant four lanes and the aesthetic would be much approved for pedestrians and cyclists.
 
How do you feel about this issue?
 
Kind regards,
 
Sanjay K Bisht
 

 

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Anna Barna

Dear East Lansing Transportation Commission, c/o Todd Sneathen,
 
As a person who lives in Ingham County (in Mason), and travels to East Lansing often for shopping, entertainment, and cultural activities, I am fully in support of the Hagadorn 'Road Diet'.  I usually travel that road to get into East Lansing, and I would welcome the changes to better reflect the needs of the varied users of Hagadorn road.  While I usually drive, I appreciate that bikers and walkers will be safer, will have their own designated 'space' on the road, and that they will be able to cross more safely.  As a public health professional, I am impressed by the study done by MSU faculty and students that indicated that changing from a 4 to 3 lane road on Abbot resulted in a 44% reduction in overall accidents and a 100% reduction in bicycle accidents.  As a driver, I respect the rights of peds and bicyclists and desire that the walkability and bikeability of Hagadorn be increased in order to better reflect the values of East Lansing students, residents, and visitors.  Currently, East Lansing is a desireable place to visit (and spend money), and the Hagadorn 'Road Diet' will only increase the city's reputation for fairness and progressiveness. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Anne Barna


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Jason Weller

Dear East Lansing City Council,
 
I am writing as a Lansing resident who frequently rides in East Lansing and the idea of converting Hagadorn Road to 3 lanes of traffic plus bike lanes sounds like an excellent idea.
 
I look forward to similar types of suggestions and projects throughout East Lansing.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jason Weller

 

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LeRoy Harvey's Letter

click here

 

 

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Todd Sneathen's Letter to Residents

click here