SEMCOG’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Map series is an online resource for users to interact with key datasets and outputs from SEMCOG’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan for Southeast Michigan. The map series includes Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridors, Demand and Equity Analysis, and Local Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans. These maps allow users to zoom in and out across our region, turn on and off various layers, and even create custom printable maps.
Communities and road agencies may wish to use these resources as part of local planning and implementation efforts such as corridor planning and grant writing. For example, a community may learn that their local project ties into a county-wide effort to increase regional connectivity. They could also learn where to prioritize new infrastructure for equity populations who may more heavily rely on walking and biking to access core services. Road agencies can also learn where there is latent demand for walking and biking infrastructure to assist in their complete streets planning efforts.
Data within these maps will be updated regularly in effort to create a more living document, so check back often and be sure to contact SEMCOG staff with additions or corrections.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan for Southeast Michigan establishes a common vision for bicycling and walking in the region, and provides guidance on how to increase the connectivity, use, and safety of the system for all residents. This plan ensures that the region’s nonmotorized system meets the transportation, quality of life, health, and accessibility needs of its residents and visitors, as well as the economic development priorities and goals of the region and local communities. The Plan’s Appendix includes supplemental information, including detailed county profiles and additional analysis of current conditions.
Southeast Michigan Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Network
SEMCOG’s interactive Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Network Map displays the region’s existing and planned walking and biking infrastructure through five different lenses. These include the existing bikeways, sidewalks, regional trails, planned infrastructure, and how comfortable the region’s roadways are for biking. It is a great resource to both view the region’s connectivity and help plan locally to fill gaps and address future needs. Please contact SEMCOG staff with any edits or suggestions.
Additional Information
Bicycle and Pedestrian Assessments
A bicycle and pedestrian assessment can help make communities more attractive to all, including people walking, biking, driving automobiles, or taking transit. An assessment can help improve transportation efficiency and create whole, healthy, and sustainable communities. It can also help improve safety, physical fitness, social interaction, and economic development.
A bicycle and pedestrian assessment reviews walking and biking conditions along specified streets and may include stakeholders such as:
- city planners and engineers,
- road and transit operators,
- local elected officials,
- residents,
- emergency responders, and
- developers and business owners.
Recommendations address bicycle and pedestrian issues such as:
- location and quality of sidewalks and crosswalks,
- street furniture,
- streetscape design,
- bikeways (multi-use trails and road facilities),
- bike racks and lockers,
- education and enforcement opportunities,
- signage,
- signalization, and
- intersection design.
Often, low-cost improvements can have a large impact on the safety and use of walking and biking.
To learn more about bicycle and pedestrian assessments, please contact Brian Pawlik.
STRAVA Data
SEMCOG can measure bicycle and pedestrian activity through a partnership with STRAVA Metro. STRAVA Metro collects data through an app called Strava, which is used by athletes to track their rides and runs/walks. This data gives us a peek into changes in usage at the corridor, county, and regional levels by week, month, and year.
Recently, SEMCOG looked at yearly changes at the regional level for both biking and walking/running. Overall, there has been a 110% increase in walking and biking Activities since 2019 (the last year’s data was looked at for the 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan). Individually, biking saw a 37% increase, and walking and running saw a 156% increase. While there are many factors at play for increased usage (such as more bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and greater app usage), the state-level stay-at-home orders during the height of Covid-19 in 2020, may have jumpstarted growth. Between 2019 and 2020, there was an 89% increase in biking and a 128% increase in walking/running activities. While there has been a 27% decrease in biking since 2020, the total number of trips is still much higher than in 2019. Walking/Running has seen a more moderate 12.5% growth since 2020.
This data proves that there is continued interest in walking and biking and regional and local officials should continue to make walking and biking infrastructure a priority.
SEMCOG will add additional analysis from STRAVA metro in upcoming plans and projects. SHould you be interested in learning more about STRAVA data for your local community, please reach out to SEMCOG staff.
Funding Sources
Financing the acquisition, development, and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian facilities is essential to sustaining the system. Numerous opportunities exist to fund acquisition and development of the nonmotorized system. SEMCOG staff can work with your community to find the best funding source for your local project. Some sources to highlight are:
Southeast Michigan Active Transportation Committee
The Southeast Michigan Active Transportation Committee is an interagency group responsible for monitoring and helping implement SEMCOG and MDOT’s joint Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan. The committee meets approximately four times per year. Sub-committees may meet more often. Meetings typically are virtual but once per year could be at featured assets within the region.
The committee includes representatives from SEMCOG, local and statewide MDOT Offices, County planning, recreation, and road agencies, interested local governments, bicycle, and pedestrian advocacy organizations, and other professionals.
If you are interested in learning more about this committee, please contact co-chairs Brian Pawlik and James VanSteel.
Michigan’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Team (PBSAT)
The State of Michigan has a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Team (PBSAT), which is currently co-chaired by SEMCOG and MDOT staff. This team is one of eleven teams that report back to the larger Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC).
PBSAT is open to the public and generally meets quarterly, usually in the Lansing area. Generally there is a call-in option as well.
Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel Video and Report
Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel in Southeast Michigan
In August 2018, SEMCOG provided an implementation report documenting the progress made in improving the region’s bicycle and pedestrian network. Learn more by reading the Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel report and watching the video below.