MI: MDOT Promotes On-Road Bicycle Facilities

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is sponsoring "Training Wheels" courses around the state to help communities provide on-road bicycle facilities (bike routes, bicycle lanes, shared-use paths, and shared roadways) for residents and visitors.

The five to six-hour course includes both classroom and outdoor instruction. Sessions will be offered July 7 in Houghton Lake; July 8 in Spring Lake; July 8 in Fremont; July 9 in Parchment; July 10 in Lansing; and July 11 in Grand Blanc.

"Training Wheels" shows communities how to integrate bike facilities into existing infrastructure to make bicycling safe and convenient, providing alternate transportation to make roads more complete for everyone. Classroom instruction using a guide produced by the American Association for State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is followed by an on-road, on-bike portion. The outdoor segment provides participants a firsthand look at the benefits of providing an alternative mode of travel that does not require expensive facilities for communities to build or maintain.

The courses are intended for city, township and county managers; council members; engineers; and related design and planning staff. Advance registration only. A bicycle and helmet are required - please notify the local host if either of these items is needed as a limited number of bikes and helmets may be available. If interested in participating, contact the host community to see if space is available.