Archive for the ‘Facilities’ Category
Posted by Paul Taylor on April 23, 2012
The St. Joseph County Parks Foundation and the Friends of the Pumpkinvine have each received $1,000 from the BMC to support development of their trails.
The Parks Foundation will use the funds for development of the IN-MI Trail, to help fill in the gap between Niles, Mich. and Roseland, Ind. The Park’s segment of this trail, the LaSalle Trail, has not yet started construction, and the BMC donation will be added to their trust fund earmarked for the trail.
The Pumpkinvine Nature Trail meanders between Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana in Elkhart County: they will use the funds to help close gaps in the trail. Currently under construction is a 1.2 mile section near Middlebury.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, Facilities, Infrastructure, News | Tagged: bicycle, Contributions, IN-MI Trail, LaSalle Trail, Pumpkinvine trail, Trails | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on February 10, 2012
Bikes on an Amtrak Train
As a bicyclist, you know how difficult it can be to transport your bicycle. The League of Michigan Bicyclists is currently circulating a petition to allow bicycles on Amtrak trains without taking them apart.
The petition says “Seamless multi-modal connections are essential to a sustainable 21st century transportation system. It should be easy for travelers to make connections from one mode of transportation to another”.
Michiana cyclists are encouraged to learn more about the issue and sign the petition. You don’t need to be a Michigan resident to sign. Click here to take the next step.
Posted in Advocacy, Facilities, Infrastructure, News | Tagged: Michigan, Trains | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on February 7, 2012
Four things are in the works to move this project closer to completion. The bicycle/pedestrian trail will eventually stretch between Niles, Mich. and Mishawaka, Ind.: and maybe beyond.
Most noteworthy, is the new lease agreement between Niles Township and American Electric Power Co. (AEP) that is in the works. AEP owns a high power line that goes from near the current Niles trail, down to the State Line; they will lease part of the property to Niles Township. Harry Thibault, chairman of the Niles Township Parks Board envisions running the trail down part of that property. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Facilities, News, Routes | Tagged: IN-MI Trail, LaSalle Trail | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 13, 2012
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Roads, trails and multiuse paths are shown
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Bike friendly roads in green
The Southwest Michigan Plan Commission has just published a map that can help cyclists find the best places to ride. The map shows the low volume roads that cyclists prefer in green. It also highlights roads with a wide shoulder or bike lane. There’s even a listing of state and area parks with a listing of biking and other facilities and you can download it all from www.michigan.gov/mdot-biking. At that site, you can also download maps and listings from other parts of Michigan and get loads of information on biking in the thumb state.
Because of their size, the maps are pretty cumbersome to look at on line, so you may want to get a hard copy. By this time next month, the maps should also be in the hands of Michigan bike shops, or you can order them from MDOT for $5.00 each, from the web site mentioned above.
Posted in Facilities, Infrastructure, News, Routes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on October 28, 2011
The Bike/Ped trail design has been virtually completed, and will be presented to the public at 6:00 on Wednesday, November 2, at the Nuner Primary Center, located at 2716 Pleasant Street.
In the meeting, the public will learn about the design specifics, as well as the impact the trail may have on the historic structures in the area, and a projected construction timetable. After the presentations, there will be a public statement session where citizens will be invited to offer comments.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Events, Facilities, Infrastructure, News, Routes | Tagged: Northside Trail, South Bend Trails | 2 Comments »
Posted by Paul Taylor on October 10, 2011
For bicyclists, one of the most useful county roads is also one of the most intimidating. Local officials recognize that, and hope to do something about it, possibly as early as 2012. Juniper Road is the logical northside route to and from the Notre Dame campus. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in News, Facilities, Advocacy, Infrastructure | Tagged: bike paths, commuting | 2 Comments »
Posted by Paul Taylor on February 26, 2011
Earlier this month the mayors of South Bend and Mishawaka stepped up to their podiums to deliver their State of The City addresses. Throughout their speeches they listed the various accomplishments of their cities in 2010, and laid out plans for 2011 and beyond.
Their addresses were well reported by the media, and it is my intention in this post to elaborate on just one facet of their speeches: alternative transportation. Biking and walking. A lot is going on that we, as bikers and walkers don’t fully appreciate. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Events, Facilities, Infrastructure, News | Tagged: bike paths, Bike the Bend, Mishawaka, South Bend | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 27, 2011
In a recent post, I commented on a new Marshall County Bike/Ped path in Plymouth. Today I am concentrating on St. Joe County. Cyclists look at the huge need for friendlier places for biking and walking, and often get discouraged. But progress is being made. Listed below are nine improvements in the county that have been recently completed, or are on the drawing board for the near future.
Mishawaka Riverwalk
Some would say the Mishawaka Riverwalk is the most impressive project in the county. It would be hard to make a case against that claim. The path that hugs the St. Joseph River complements the overhaul from a toxic industrial area in city center to an urban area that is as good as any around. It also is a part of the IN-MI Trail. Mainly along the north bank of the river, the trail extends from the Mishawaka City Limits on the west (Logan St.), almost to Cedar St. on the east, a distance of over 1.3 miles. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Facilities, Infrastructure, News | Tagged: bike paths, IN-MI Trail, South Bend, Trails | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 2, 2011
This is the time of year to reflect on accomplishments for the year just ended. Here is a short summary of Michiana good things cycling.
Bike to Work Week saw miles ridden in The Corporate Challenge increase to 26,154 from 16,179 (an increase of 74%). Also the number of teams increased to 119 from 111 (an increase of 7%) and South Bend closed off a street so the Bike Michiana Coalition could host an organic blueberry pancake breakfast.
Bike Michiana for Hospice saw the number of riders increase to 475 from 273 (an increase of 102%). Increases are expected again in 2011 since several new features will be added, including a 200 mile route. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, education, Events, Facilities, Group Rides: Special, Infrastructure, Maintenance, Mountain Biking, News, Routes | Tagged: bicycle, bike lanes, bike paths, Bike the Bend, bike-to-work, commuter, commuting, education, Goshen, IN-MI Trail, NIMBA, South Bend, Trails | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Paul Taylor on November 5, 2010
Trail enthusiasts await the ribbon cutting
About two dozen hearty souls braced themselves against a blustery wind to celebrate the extension of the trail at Riverfront Park. Against the backdrop of the St. Joseph River, a cloudless sky, and swirling fall leaves, Autumn Carey, Chairwoman of the City of Niles Parks and Recreation Department said the trail “has been twenty years in the making”. The first section of the trail was opened in 1996. She said “it takes a lot of people” to accomplish something like this.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Advocacy, Events, Facilities, Infrastructure, News | Tagged: bicycle, bike paths, IN-MI Trail | Leave a Comment »
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