Michigan’s Evolving State Michigan’s Evolving State Context for Non-Motorized Context for Non-Motorized Transportation AdvocacyTransportation Advocacy

MI Dept. of Community Health:MI Dept. of Community Health: Karen Karen PetersmarckPetersmarck

League of Michigan Bicyclists:League of Michigan Bicyclists: Lucinda Lucinda MeansMeans

Trails and Greenways:Trails and Greenways: Nancy Krupiarz Nancy KrupiarzDept. of Transportation: Dept. of Transportation: Cynthia KruppCynthia Krupp

In Michigan, advocacy for In Michigan, advocacy for non-motorized non-motorized

transportation has a new transportation has a new look. The Lycra and look. The Lycra and

Spandex image has been Spandex image has been upgraded to “office casual.” upgraded to “office casual.”

Our Goals for You Today:Our Goals for You Today:You will leave here with ideas for: You will leave here with ideas for:

– Getting INSIDE the system to promote Getting INSIDE the system to promote biking and walking.biking and walking.

– Some public-private approaches that Some public-private approaches that could work in your state. could work in your state.

Getting Inside the World of Getting Inside the World of Public HealthPublic Health

MISSION:MDCH strives for a healthier Michigan. To that end, the department will: – Take steps to prevent

disease, promote wellness and improve quality of life.

What’s In It For Us?What’s In It For Us?• It’s our job to make It’s our job to make

it easier for people it easier for people to be healthy!to be healthy!

• We are expected to We are expected to work on “active work on “active communities.” communities.”

We didn’t learn how to do it in We didn’t learn how to do it in school!school!

Three Ways Bike and Ped Three Ways Bike and Ped Activists Have Gotten “Inside” Activists Have Gotten “Inside” Public HealthPublic Health

1.1. Active Communities Active Communities AwardAward

2.2. State plansState plans3.3. Health conferencesHealth conferences

The Active Communities The Active Communities AwardAwardIn Michigan, we In Michigan, we start on the path start on the path to becoming an to becoming an active community active community by applying for an by applying for an award.award.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm presenting Active Communities Award

The Beauty of an Award The Beauty of an Award

Each community Each community Assesses itselfAssesses itself Earns points for efforts Earns points for efforts

toward walkability/bikabilitytoward walkability/bikability

No one has to preach!No one has to preach!

Promoting Active Communities Award

Instant feedbackInstant feedback

Links to resourcesLinks to resources

Automated reportAutomated report

www.mihealthtools.orgwww.mihealthtools.org

Now: Web-Based, Interactive Application

Previously, Paper and Previously, Paper and Pencil!Pencil!

You can do this in your state or You can do this in your state or province!province!

How the Award Works

Points earned in six categories.

Promoting Active Communities Award

Promoting Active Promoting Active Communities AwardCommunities Award

Six categories of assessmentSix categories of assessment1.1. Policies & planning (most points)Policies & planning (most points)2.2. Pedestrian & bicycle safety/ facilitiesPedestrian & bicycle safety/ facilities3.3. Community resourcesCommunity resources4.4. WorksitesWorksites5.5. SchoolsSchools6.6. Public transportationPublic transportation

Section 1: Policies and Planning

Examples: When roads and streets are built or

repaired, bike facilities are always included when possible.

New residential areas are required to have sidewalks.

“Sidewalk furniture” (newspaper vending machines, advertising signs, flags, etc.) is required to be out of the path of walkers or wheelchair users.

Section 1: Policies and Planning

More Examples:

The governing body has adopted an official plan for improving non-motorized transportation, including a timetable and a budget.

Transportation planning and funding address the following important safety concerns for bicyclists and pedestrians: Making sewer grates bicycle

friendly. Creating well-marked crosswalks… Performing regular maintenance…

Section 2: Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Facilities

Examples:Abandoned railroad beds are being converted to walking/ bicycling trails.

Shopping malls and strip malls have safe approaches for pedestrians and cyclists.

Section 3: Community Resources

Examples: Walking incentive programs are

available to residents.

Sports leagues are available for adults and youth.

Section 4: Worksites

Examples: Consider the four employers in the community with the largest work forces.

Showers?

Safe area to walk or exercise?Walking club?

Bike racks?

Section 5: Schools

Examples: Did elementary schools participate

in National Walk Your Child to School Day last fall?

How many days per week were children receiving physical education?

Section 6: Public Transportation

Examples: The community has a system of

public transportation.

Park-and-drive lots are available so that bicyclists and auto drivers can conveniently park vehicles while using public transportation.

Five Levels of AwardsFive Levels of AwardsCommunities have:Communities have:Level 1: Made a commitment…Level 1: Made a commitment…Level 2: Taken significant steps…Level 2: Taken significant steps…Level 3: Achieved significant Level 3: Achieved significant

progress…progress…Level 4: Documented outstanding Level 4: Documented outstanding

achievements…achievements…

Level 5: Are models of commitment… Level 5: Are models of commitment…

to healthy, active living.to healthy, active living.

Promoting Active Communities Award

The Award Benefits Communities:The Award Benefits Communities:

1. Raises awareness

2. Creates partnerships

3. Inspires change

Jackson Developed short-and long-range plans for Developed short-and long-range plans for

safe walking and biking infrastructure safe walking and biking infrastructure improvements.improvements.

Detroit—Southwest Measured walking routes around

community parks and created signage to show distances (in English and Spanish)

Promoting Active Communities AwardInspiring Change…

““Getting Inside the World of Getting Inside the World of Public Health” Public Health”

State PlansState Plans

– Cardiovascular Cardiovascular DiseaseDisease

– InjuriesInjuries– ObesityObesity

““Getting Inside the World of Getting Inside the World of Public Health” Public Health”

ConferencesConferences

– ““Designing Active Designing Active Communities”Communities”

– Cardiovascular Cardiovascular DiseaseDisease

– InjuriesInjuries– ObesityObesity

Getting Inside Public Health: Getting Inside Public Health: First StepsFirst Steps

1.1. Find out who is in charge:Find out who is in charge:Chronic DiseaseChronic Disease

• Heart diseaseHeart disease• ObesityObesity• Injury controlInjury control• Physical activityPhysical activity

2.2. Offer to help Offer to help 3.3. Make a friendMake a friend

Pro Bike Pro Walk Pro Bike Pro Walk September 2004September 2004

League of Michigan BicyclistsLeague of Michigan BicyclistsLansing, MichiganLansing, Michigan

www.LMB.orgwww.LMB.org

Most decisions are made by those who…

show up!

Moving from “Outsider” to “Insider”

Tactics • Start small • Prove yourself• Identify their priorities• Pursue win-win projects• “Carry the water” for

their project or priority • Say “yes” to work

groups

LMB Partnerships Since LMB Partnerships Since 19971997

MDOTMetropolitan Planning OrganizationsMichigan Dept. of Community HealthOffice of Highway Safety Planning (State Police)Dept. of Management and BudgetDept. of Labor and Economic GrowthTravel Michigan

How We Got StartedHow We Got StartedMichigan Dept. of Transportation

Built on existing projects and relationships– Regular meetings with Non-Motorized staffers– LMB Poster Calendar– Biking info in welcome centers at state borders– Biking content for MDOT website and brochures

How We Got Started, How We Got Started, continued…continued…

Metropolitan Planning Organizations• Found champions in two

MPOs• Their mandate: improving

public input in transportation and land use planning

• Viewed us as credible reps of stakeholders

• Helped plan regional traffic safety summit

Next StepsNext StepsMichigan Department of Community Health• Attended a public health conference to schmooze.• Served on several multi-agency work groups.• Demonstrated expertise and willingness to help• Invited to help develop Active Community Award• Invited to present at CVD conference• Invited to develop state plan for cardiovascular health• Safety education contracts

The Most Challenging The Most Challenging PartnerPartner

Office of Highway Safety Planning (State Police)Critical agency

Federal Traffic Safety Money (402 funds)Traffic Safety Planning for state

Toughest nut to crackHad to rely on state agency partners for entré

Co-present at annual Traffic Safety SummitServing with MDCH, MDOT staffers on non-motorized action team

Rare OpportunityRare OpportunityDept. of Management and BudgetCross-town freeway

construction Affected 10,000 state

employeesInvited to deliver bike

commuting classes for downtown state employees

A Neat DovetailA Neat DovetailDept. of Labor and Economic Growth

Awarded small grant for bike commuter manual for state employees

Ties in with “Cool Cities”

Tourism Tourism

Travel Michigan Invited to create biking section for state

tourism website

Moving from “Outsider” to “Insider”

Tactics Review: • Start small • Prove yourself• Identify their priorities• Pursue win-win projects• “Carry the water” for

their project or priority • Say “yes” to work groups

Trails: Trails: Integral Integral

Projects for Projects for State State

Partnership Partnership Michigan Field Office

PRO WALK PRO BIKE

September 2004

TRAILSLand Use

TransportationHealth

Transportation Summit

Cool Cities Initiative

Safe Routes to School

MI Steps UpHealthy Communities Network

Michigan Cardiovascular Health Task Force MI Land Use

Leadership Council

Designing Healthy Livable Communities Conference

In Michigan, Trails have played a part in:

Trail projects by nature convene Trail projects by nature convene many stakeholder groupsmany stakeholder groups• Land Use PlannersLand Use Planners• Transportation Transportation

PlannersPlanners• Parks and RecParks and Rec• EngineersEngineers• Landscape Landscape

ArchitectsArchitects• Downtown Downtown

Development Development AuthoritiesAuthorities

• Outdoors activistsOutdoors activists• Environmental Environmental

groupsgroups• Elected OfficialsElected Officials• Chambers of Chambers of

CommerceCommerce• Health and Health and

Fitness groupsFitness groupsAll fit into one state department or another!

Fulfilling Fulfilling a a Unique Unique RoleRole

Trails and Greenways Trails and Greenways Legislative Day – May, 2004Legislative Day – May, 2004• Planning Committee of Diverse Planning Committee of Diverse

Interests:Interests:Health, Transportation, Natural Health, Transportation, Natural Resources,Bicycling, Environmental Resources,Bicycling, Environmental AdvocacyAdvocacy

• Produced 3 key messages to be Produced 3 key messages to be incorporated in all materials incorporated in all materials

• Selected legislative focus from these Selected legislative focus from these messages.messages.

3 Key Messages3 Key Messages

Connected Communities Connected Communities are Healthy Communities are Healthy Communities – Trails Work!!– Trails Work!!

• TransportationTransportation• HealthHealth• ConservationConservation• RecreationRecreation

3 Key Messages3 Key Messages

Everyone Wins Economically with Everyone Wins Economically with Trails Trails

and Greenwaysand Greenways• Economic Growth – Community Economic Growth – Community

Revitalization and business Revitalization and business investmentinvestment

• Save Health Care CostsSave Health Care Costs• Retain Work Force through Quality Retain Work Force through Quality

of Life enhancementsof Life enhancements

3 Key 3 Key MessagesMessages

Trails and Greenways bring Trails and Greenways bring people and local governments people and local governments together!together!

• Serve as Outdoor Meeting Serve as Outdoor Meeting PlacesPlaces

• Foster Community Foster Community development and pridedevelopment and pride

• Form Local Partnerships Form Local Partnerships

Constituent visits carried the Constituent visits carried the messages as it related to their trailmessages as it related to their trail

HIGHLIGHTS!

Advocated legislation for trails but also non-motorized in general

Formed a trails caucus in the LegislatureOpened the door for future discussion on all

non-motorized topics and their relation to health, transportation, land use, and the economy

Michigan’s Cool Cities Initiative

“Michigan’s economic future lies in creating vibrant communities that are magnets for people, jobs and opportunity.”

--Governor Granholm

Respondents Described “Cool City”

•Bikeable/walkable community

•Revitalized, energized downtown

•Sense of place•Creative opportunities,

diverse housing, wired for technology

•Historic preservation meets new world

Trails as “Cool Cities” Trails as “Cool Cities” ProjectsProjects

• Some Cool Cities grants awarded to biking/walking facility developments

•“One-stop shopping” format of Cool Cities program opened doors to $$

• > $100,000 Catalyst Grants, toolbox of applicable resources, and lots of technical assistance

Example: Eastern Market Example: Eastern Market RedevelopmentRedevelopment

Example: Eastern Market Example: Eastern Market RedevelopmentRedevelopment

Catalyst GrantRebuild shed for selling local produce

Tool Kit of Resources AppliesTo Expanded Project

“Dequindre Cut” Rail-Trail Links Market To Detroit Riverwalk

Expanded Project is a T-ShapedDowntown Redevelopment Zone

A trail’s involvement in Cool A trail’s involvement in Cool CitiesCitiesHigh Visibility from a High Visibility from a

state/local multi-state/local multi-agency team = agency team = More $$, More More $$, More actionaction

New Diverse New Diverse Stakeholders for Stakeholders for Strategizing Strategizing ImplementationImplementation

For more info: www.coolcities.com

Safe Routes to School

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and

League of MIBicyclists were

First to the Table with

MDOT

RAILS-TO-TRAILSHIGHLIGHTS

Achieved a spot at the table in statewide coalition

Invited Trail Communities to apply for Pilot School GrantsOne school achieved a major trail link across private property to school

The Key is . . .The Key is . . .• Show you deserve a place at the Table Show you deserve a place at the Table

throughthrough--relationship building--relationship building--initiate action to help--initiate action to help

• Show upShow up and contribute (whether it’s directly and contribute (whether it’s directly related to your topic or not --general related to your topic or not --general expertise and leadership is helpful too)expertise and leadership is helpful too)

• Keep in contact and look for your entryKeep in contact and look for your entry

Michigan Field Office

www.railtrails.org

Context Sensitive SolutionsContext Sensitive Solutions September 8, 2004September 8, 2004

Getting Inside the World of Getting Inside the World of Departments of Departments of TransportationTransportation

Context Sensitive Solutions Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)(CSS)

• AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

• PartnershipsPartnerships• work within the systemwork within the system

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions

According to the FHWA, CSS is According to the FHWA, CSS is “A collaborative, “A collaborative,

interdisciplinary approach interdisciplinary approach that involves all that involves all

stakeholders to develop a stakeholders to develop a transportation facility that transportation facility that fits its physical setting and fits its physical setting and preserves scenic, aesthetic, preserves scenic, aesthetic, historic, and environmental historic, and environmental

resources, while resources, while maintaining safety and maintaining safety and

mobility”mobility”I-94 Public Hearings

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions

Develop designs that meet the needs of specific sites rather than using standardized solutions

Streetscape Downtown Saginaw

M-22 Glen Arbor Bridge, Leelanau County

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions

Beulah Bridge, Benzie County(Local Input regarding “look” of new bridge)

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions

•Aesthetic concerns can be addressed by use of natural material to blend with the landscape

•Using architectural features to create a unique appearance

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions• CSS does not

have to be expensive or complex

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions• Striping of

existing roadway to channel traffic

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutionsSince 1992, MDOT

has awarded $200 million in Transportation Enhancement Program grants Landscaping along trunkline

Bikepath

Preservation of Depot

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions

•Pedestrian Facilities along trunklines

•Non-motorized facilities as part of a trunkline

•Over the past 11 years, MDOT has contributed $6.5 million in match money through the Transportation Enhancement Program toward $32.7 million in nonmotorized projects which benefit pedestrians, bicyclists and other forms of non-highway transportation

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions

Public Involvement - How we listen

• 26 Transportation Service Centers located statewide

• TSC responsible for project scoping

• Day to day contact with citizens, local officials and stakeholders

Public InvolvementPublic Involvement

MDOT’s public involvement

process is to obtain as much public

participation and comment as

possible

How we listen

Nonmotorized PartnershipsNonmotorized Partnerships• Training ProgramTraining Program• Information and DistributionInformation and Distribution• Bicycle Facility Map PrototypeBicycle Facility Map Prototype• Bike SummitBike Summit

Cooperative Planning Cooperative Planning • Kalamazoo Nonmotorized PlanKalamazoo Nonmotorized Plan• Southeast Michigan Greenways StudySoutheast Michigan Greenways Study• Southeast Michigan Green Ways Southeast Michigan Green Ways

InitiativeInitiative• Macomb County Trail Acquisition and Macomb County Trail Acquisition and

Dev.Dev.• Pere Marquette StudyPere Marquette Study• The Southwest StudyThe Southwest Study

Healthy Communities Healthy Communities InitiativesInitiatives• Safe Routes to SchoolSafe Routes to School• Designing Healthy, Liviable Designing Healthy, Liviable

CommunitiesCommunities• Increased emphasis on pedestrian Increased emphasis on pedestrian

safetysafety• Governor’s “Cool Cities” Governor’s “Cool Cities”

Nonmotorized Policy and Nonmotorized Policy and CSDCSD• Nonmotorized PartnershipsNonmotorized Partnerships• Cooperative PlanningCooperative Planning• Healthy Communities InitiativesHealthy Communities Initiatives

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions Public Involvement - How we listen

• Transportation Summit December 3,4 2003

• .

Summit Process CSSSummit Process CSS

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutionsContinuous Improvement

• Interdisciplinary internal working groupto examine balance issue

•Work with stakeholders to develop guidelines

Stakeholder Engagement Stakeholder Engagement ProcessProcess

CSS Focus GroupsCSS Focus Groups• SafetySafety• Historic/Cultural/CommunityHistoric/Cultural/Community• Environmental QualityEnvironmental Quality• Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development• MobilityMobility• Public and AgencyPublic and Agency• AestheticsAesthetics

CSD Focus Group CSD Focus Group WorksheetWorksheet• Focus Area: (What?)Focus Area: (What?)• Background: (Why?)Background: (Why?)• Alternatives Discussed: (How?)Alternatives Discussed: (How?)• Recommendations: (Specify if for Recommendations: (Specify if for

CSD Policy, Guideline or Procedure)CSD Policy, Guideline or Procedure)• Define Success:Define Success:

We Need Partnerships!

Context Sensitive Context Sensitive SolutionsSolutions