League of Michigan Bicyclists

Representative Candice Miller votes against pro-bike amendment - defeated by two votes

Representative Tom Petri (R-WI) and his colleagues Timothy Johnson (R-IL), and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) showed themselves yesterday to be strong and brave defenders of biking and walking, a balanced transportation system, and livable communities. Representative Candice Miller (R-MI), however, did not.

The Petri Amendment to the American Energy and Infrastructure Act to restore dedicated funding for walking and bicycling lost by just two votes and unfortunately, Representative Miller, the only Michigan Representative on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voted against it.

The House leadership strongly opposed the amendment, so our sincere thanks goes to Representatives Petri, Johnson, and LoBiondo for standing with their constituents and people everywhere who value walking and biking.

We also thank all the Michigan cyclists who responded to our action alert messages over the past few days and contacted Representative Miller to ask for her leadership on this issue. Despite all the communications she received from concerned citizens as well as the fact that her district has benefited from over $28,986,000 in Transportation Enhancement investments in the past, she still bowed to House leadership and voted against the best interests of her constituents.

We'll keep you posted of next steps to restore dedicated funding for non-motorized transportation. For now this inspired performance from Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in which he says we’re going back to the pre-1980s in this country should help keep hope alive:

Here’s the breakdown of the vote. Add new comment

Last Updated on Friday, 03 February 2012 16:55

What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know

A Guide For Bicyclists

“What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know” is designed to help you safely and enjoyably share the public roads and trails of Michigan with other users. Although this publication includes information about many Michigan traffic laws, it is not meant to be a legal document or a substitute for the Michigan Vehicle Code.

This handy booklet is designed for bicyclists and is an excellent resource for anyone riding a bicycle in Michigan. Law Enforcement agencies and other organizations can request free copies for distribution.

Remember that you are ultimately responsible for your own safety. Keep yourself and your bicycle in good condition and ride within your own limits.

What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know is brought to through a partnership between the League of Michigan Bicyclists, the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Michigan Department of Community Health.

THESE ARE AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP!
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What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know

This handy booklet is designed for bicyclists and is an excellent resource for anyone riding a bicycle in Michigan.			Date File size Hits	2010-01-25 4.96 MB 7565

MDOT Seeks Public Comment on Draft 2012-2016 Transportation Program

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking public comment on its draft 2012-2016 Five-Year Transportation Program. The document includes a list of specific transportation projects planned for the next five years in each of MDOT's seven regions. For the first time ever, you can locate the projects by proposed construction year on an interactive state map.

The draft 2012-2016 Five-Year Transportation Program is available on the MDOT Web site at: www.michigan.gov/mdot5yearplan. Comments will be accepted until Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, and should be e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To request alternative formats, such as large print, please contact Bob Parsons, Public Involvement and Hearings Officer, Bureau of Transportation Planning, Michigan Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 48909; fax: 517-373-9255: or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Five-Year Transportation Program, a continuous, interactive dialogue with the department's customers and stakeholders, has become the anchor of MDOT's project development and delivery systems. Each year, a new fifth year is added and program/project adjustments are made to the previous four years. MDOT presented the draft 2012-2016 Five-Year Transportation Program to the State Transportation Commission (STC) on Nov. 17, 2011. It will remain a draft program until it receives final approval by the STC in January 2012.

Urge Amtrak to Allow Bicycles on Michigan Trains

LMB is extremely pleased that the recently published Michigan State Rail Plan makes clear recommendations that bicycles need to be accommodated on Michigan passenger trains. LMB thanks the Michigan Department of Transportation for recognizing this need. We also thank all of our supporters who responded to our call to submit comments to the rail plan this past year.

bikes_on_trains We now are asking for your help again to ensure that these recommendations are acted on promptly. Please sign our petition urging Amtrak to implement roll-on bicycle service on all Michigan service routes as they have already done in other states.

Currently in Michigan, bikes are not allowed on board Amtrak trains, nor as checked luggage. On board accommodations for bicycles will make seamless multi-modal connections possible by allowing passengers to bicycle to train stations, ride the train, and then conveniently bicycle to their final destinations within the community.

Our state is home to a number of bicycle tours in or near Michigan communities serviced by Amtrak. By adding bike facilities on Amtrak trains, many Michigan communities could benefit from increased tourism spending, particularly from vacationing Chicago residents. Without options to bring bicycles on board, Michigan is losing out on significant travel-related spending generated by bicycle tourism. Commuters traveling within Michigan would also have additional transportation options.

We encourage everyone to sign the petition, but it is especially important for Amtrak to hear from individuals living or working in or around current stations locations in Albion, Ann Arbor, Bangor, Battle Creek, Birmingham, Dearborn, Detroit, Dowagiac, Durand, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, New Buffalo, Niles, Pontiac, Port Huron, Royal Oak, and St. Joseph/Benton Harbor.

Please click here to add your name to the petition and please share the petition link over your networks. When you add your name to the petition please use the "Why This Is Important" option to help personalize the message. For those on Facebook, we have also created a Facebook Event titled "Tell Amtrak to Allow Bikes on Trains - Sign the Petition" to help raise awareness around this issue.

We sincerely appreciate your support on this issue and hope that by spring we will all have the ability to bring bicycles on board passenger trains in our state.

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Last Updated on Friday, 03 February 2012 17:35