by Jan Lazor

Created on: October 05, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Bicycle enthusiasts are teaming up with city officials in Grand Rapids in the western section of Michigan to make their city more bicycle friendly. Whether residents and visitors are serious cyclists, recreational ones or just enjoy biking for a little relaxation and exercise, Grand Rapids has created an excellent network of bicycle routes for the two-wheeling public.

As early as 2002, city planners began looking at ways to encourage residents of Michigan's second largest city to park their cars and the hit the trails on their bicycles. In 2005 the city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Committee developed and published a bike route map of the city. The map was updated in 2008.

Known as the Grand Rapids Bike Map, the detailed drawings designate three types of bike trails including non-motorized paved trails, cautionary routes and side paths. Many of the non-motorized routes have been constructed along abandoned railroad right of ways as part of the federal government's Rails-to-Trails program.

Copies of Grand Rapid's bike map are available at the city's Planning office at 300 Monroe Avenue or the Park and Recreation Department at 201 Market Avenue SW. The map is free and may also be downloaded at the city's website at www.grand-rapids.mi.us.

Grand Rapids' push to make its residents more environmentally aware has helped put cycling in the spotlight. In a move to reduce congestion on city streets, city officials encourage residents to park their cars and bike to work.

Early in 2009 Grand Rapids hosted its first ever Bicycle Summit. Guest speakers applauded the city's extensive Rails-to-Trails paved pathway system which has already put the city on track to become the third city in Michigan to be designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Currently Ann Arbor and Traverse City have earned the designation.

The designation is given to communities deemed bike friendly, based on five components known as the 5 E's. Evaluations take into account engineering, enforcement, education, evaluation and encouragement. Cities can earn various levels of the designation ranging from bronze to platinum. Only three communities in the nation have the platinum designation. These include Boulder, Colorado; Davis, California and Portland, Oregon.

In addition to its first ever bike summit, Grand Rapids also held its first ever Bike with the Mayor event in 2009. The event brought bicyclists of all levels of expertise together to celebrate their joy of cycling. The event included basic advice on bike maintenance and safety. It also showcased the various biking organizations in the city including bike polo, BMX, Cyclo Cross and a pro bike team.

Remember, if you bike in Grand Rapids, a bike license is required. The license is free. Bring your bike to your fire station and fill out a short form to get your bike license. Remember if you ride your bike; make sure you wear a helmet.

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