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.

Obtaining rights to that property is only one step: the next step is funding. Thibault said “We’re hoping to apply for grants by the April 12 deadline…We’re running around like crazy to get our ducks in a row.”

Meanwhile St Joseph County, Indiana is also moving forward. Steve Slauson, Deputy Director of the St. Joseph County Parks reported that the county is applying for funding for the LaSalle Trail. This is the portion of the IN-MI trail that will run from the state line southward toward Roseland. The county applied for funding in 2011, but the application yielded no fruit, and will try again this year.

South Bend is slated to break ground on the last missing segment of the Northside Trail. According to Chris Dressel, South Bend Bicycle Coordinator, the ground breaking will be April of this year, and should be completed before next fall. This segment will close the gap between the trail’s current end near IUSB and the Mishawaka Riverwalk at Logan Street.

For more information, visit the Niles Daily Star, the  IN-MI Trail web site or the LaSalle Trail site. For more information on the Northside Trail, click here.

“LeBron James bikes to work to avoid marathon traffic

With the ING Miami Marathon backing up traffic Sunday, fans were advised to see alternate routes to get to Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bulls. LeBron James took that advice to heart.

Rather than driving, James biked about 40 minutes from his house to AmericanAirlines Arena before Sunday’s game. James said he had biked to games “a few” times before.

“You guys drove here?” James asked media after the game. “You guys are crazy.”

James is somewhat of a biking enthusiast. Every summer since 2005, James has hosted a bike ride for charity in his native Akron, Ohio. In 2007, James bought an ownership stake in the bicycle manufacturer Cannondale.

James’ pregame ride didn’t seem to affect him Sunday, as he still managed 11 rebounds and a game-high 35 points in the Heat’s 97-93 win.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/30/2615787/lebron-james-bikes-to-work-to.html#storylink=cpy”

SPONSOR: Fulton County Habitat for Humanity
DATE: April 28, 2012
TIME: 9:00 AM
LOCATION: Rochester City Park on Park Rd
LENGTH: 10, 20 & 50 mile rides.

See below for a map to the starting location and additional details, including contact information.

COST: $20 for the 50 mile ride, $15 for the 20 mile ride and $5 for the 10 mile family ride, max of $20/family.

DESCRIPTION:

• 50 mile ride includes Lake Manitou, small section of the Nickel Plate Trail and country roads.
• 20 mile ride includes Lake Manitou and a section of the Nickel Plate Trail.

CONTACT:
Don Christenson
574-223-2760
donaldchristenson@comcast@.net

SPONSOR WEBSITE: fultoncountyhabitat.org

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.

Here’s the legal synopsis of the bill: “Provides that it is a Class C infraction for a person driving a vehicle overtaking a bicycle to not allow at least three feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle and not return to the original lane until the vehicle is safely clear of the bicycle.”

If you want details, or want to follow the political wrangles of the bill, you can do so at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctype=SB&docno=0101.

This is the third year that Senator Broden has sponsored a bicycle safety bill. Two years ago there was an ombudsmen bill with many minor provisions. It nearly passed but died in the reconciliation process between the two chambers of the legislature. Last years bill never got to the assembly floor, probably because it included a mandatory helmet provision and received little or no support from the bicycling community.

This year’s effort is a single issue bill: 3 feet please. Tim Maher said “Hopefully this is our year.” Tim has been among the strong supporters of  Sen. Broden’s bike safety efforts.

As a follower of biking issues, I am reminded of the state of Maine. They introduced bicycle safety bills for seven (count ‘em 7) consecutive years before a bill was passed. Maine is now one of the most bicycle friendly states in the U.S.

Another biking and walking issue is brewing. The NIMBYs (Not in My Back Yard) and BANANAs (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything) are flexing their muscle in Granger, Indiana: even considering legal action.

Since 2005, plans have been underway to build multiuse paths in Granger. In recent years, most residents were happy to see their area get new schools and new libraries, but they realized that kids couldn’t get to these places unless Mom or Dad drove them. What a downer! So the push for a walking and biking infrastructure was on.

Now, according to a WSBT news report, some Granger residents are pushing back against safer biking and walking. WSBT lists their objections:

• it’s going to wreck a lot of front yards
• where does this fall in the luxury vs. needs …
• a small group of homeowners weren’t able to get their questions answered, so they are pursuing another alternative course of action. Legal actions? Maybe.

The WSBT report didn’t mention the obesity epidemic, the air quality, global warming, traffic congestion, or danger to people who walk or bike along the narrow Granger roads. It did itemize the efforts of a group of Granger residents and St. Joseph County to keep homeowners and the public informed.

• “…regular public meetings and publicized their [Friends of Granger Paths] fundraisers”
• notified homeowners three times
• ‘legal notice went out to the affected homeowners in September [2011] and stresses that the vast majority of changes will be within the county-owned “right-of-way.”’
• It’s being funded in part by a federal grant with an additional $150,000 coming from local donations. Disclaimer: The Bike Michiana Coalition (manager of this web site) has donated $2,500 to the project.

To combat this BANANA reaction, another informational meeting is being conducted by the Friends of Granger Paths:

• Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 6:30pm at the Northpoint Elementary School Cafeteria, 50800 Cherry Road, Granger.
• There will not be a public comment session, but bike and walk advocates are encouraged to attend.

Thanks to WSBT for the above photo.

Issue highlights from RPM Editor Jan Spalding: This issue includes a Fit for the Fit gift guide featuring stories from RPM retail advertisers and gift ideas from local stores, gyms and services. Also, Ann Amico Moran contributed a great story on Michiana’s Dynamic Duos — five area couples who workout and work for the community. Winter runs, cross-country skiing, a report from the PanAm Games, water intake and plenty more fill the issue.

Check it out!

Yes and no. State laws make no distinction, but many cities and towns add restrictions, usually to protect pedestrians. I compared the laws of four area communities: Chicago, Elkhart, Mishawaka, and South Bend.