Ludington to Become Michigan's Crossroad of US Bicycle Routes?

[XLFD]

At its last meeting, the Ludington City Council unanimously approved a resolution that allows Ludington to be situated on a newly created US Bicycle Route 35.  This route connects Sault Ste. Marie via the Mackinaw Bridge and a lakeshore route along Lake Michigan all the way down to New Buffalo. 

 For this route to become a reality, all municipality and county governmental entities along the way have to approve it, and then the route will be finalized and the roads used will have signs designating the route as "USBR 35".  Here is the locally proposed route:

 

 

As the Ludington City Manager said at the meeting, the resolution is just a formality, doesn't cost the city anything (road signs are supplied by the route planners), and does not commit the city to building any bicycle-friendly infrastructure. 

 

However, it may be just the start of making Ludington the keystone city for people who wish to tour Michigan on their bicycles.

 

A second bicycle route, USBR 20, is also more recently (in October) proposed which shoots east-west through mid-Michigan, ending its western progress at Ludington.  This sets up the SS Badger to ferry them across the lake, where USBR 20 continues, much like US-10 does.  These are the only two proposed USBR at this time, and so the biggest dividends from these routes should interest and excite all those who would like to see our area pick up economically.

 Bicycle tourists supposedly contribute about $47 billion to the communities they pass through, and the proposed routes will have them not travel on the roads motorists like to frequent.  If USBR 20 and 35 both come to fruition, these environmentally-friendly tourists who will likely grow in number as gas rises in cost, could be a significant future source of local prosperity.

 

 

 

[Edie Lindsey]

It looks as though they make quite a few turns just to go through the city. You ride bicycles a lot, is this a good route? Are our city leaders actively campaigning for these routes?

[XLFD]

Most of the local route isn't all that bad as far as bicycling, but the designers did have to make some considerations as to 1) having it go near the carferry 2) having it go near the business district 3) having it be on fairly ridable roads, and 4) having the least amount of turns.

I like them using S Lakeshore to get to Pentwater, coming in via Angling, and not using N Washington St. as initial plans indicated. I don't like that section of Jebavy being used (busy, fast moving traffic with mailboxes overhanging the shoulders on the west side), I think using Dewey and Lincoln Roads would have been better, but otherwise no complaints here.

In the articles I've read on this, other cities along the route have had some vocal proponents in their mayors or city managers. There seemed to be little interest at the Ludington council meeting-- here is what the minutes say: "(Resolution) Moved by Councilor Holman, seconded by Councilor Marrison, that the foregoing Resolution be adopted. City Manager Shay stated that this resolution does not commit the City to any financial obligations. Councilor Engblade questioned whether this resolution was simply a formality and no bicycle lanes would be added. City Manager Shay confirmed it was just a formality. Motion Carried."

[XLFD]

Two Bicycle events are scheduled to originate in Ludington this year, compared to none four years back. 

The MAD Ride (Make A Difference) is a one day event ran by HELP Ministries with proceeds and donations going to that fine organization, and featuring four different routes from 13 to 100 miles, that will take place on August 20.  This has began in Ludington the last three years and this will be its ninth year in operation, with over 100 participants.  Yours truly has ridden the 100 mile course since it started eight years ago.

 

The six day ride known as PALM (Pedaling Across Lower Michigan) is for the first year in memory starting in Ludington on June 18.  About 700 bicyclists will arrive early that day, or on Friday night.  Give them a wide berth, when you see them riding around that Saturday morning; many will probably be seeing Ludington for the first time.