MTGA is a non-profit organization that shall foster and facilitate the creation of an interconnected statewide system of trails and greenways for recreation, health, transportation, economic development and environmental/cultural preservation purposes.
Active communities are vibrant communities. You can help turn your community into a more active, livable, economically viable community by participating in the Promoting Active Communities (PAC) program. Increased opportunities for physical activity can provide improved air quality, higher real estate values and better public health. This program consists of a free online assessment tool designed to help communities evaluate local policies, programs, and environments and identify ways to promote and support physical activity. The PAC also consists of an awards system that recognizes communities for using innovative strategies to design active living environments. You can learn more and become an active living advocate in your hometown by visiting the PAC Web site at: www.mihealthtools.org/communities.
Bikes Belong, in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists and with generous support from REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.), is thrilled to announce this year’s REI/Bicycle Friendly Community Grant Awards. These grants, between $15,000 and $20,000 each, were awarded to five grassroots groups that are working closely with their city governments to make conditions better for bicycling in aspiring and designated Bicycle Friendly Communities.
“The responses confirmed that advocates are doing innovative and exciting work in America’s big cities,” said Tim Blumenthal, executive director of Bikes Belong.
The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance will continue to implement Bicycle Friendly Community initiatives and policies in the Motor City by supporting Detroit’s Non-Motorized Transportation Plan in coordination with its own ambitious vision for a greenway network, complete streets, and safe routes for cyclists.
The League of American Bicyclists is proud to be the forum for Google to announce what all bike riders have been waiting for – Grab Your Bike and Go with Google Maps. Google is announcing at the Opening Plenary Session at the National Bike Summitthat they are adding biking directions in the U.S. to Google Maps.”This new tool will open people’s eyes to the possibility and practicality of hopping on a bike and riding,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “We know people want to ride more, and we know it’s good for people and communities when they do ride more – this makes it possible. It is a game-changer, especially for those short trips that are the most polluting,” Read more from the League of American Bicyclists Press Release and from Google.
Title: Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run Location: Mackinac Bridge, Mackinaw City Link out: Click here
The seventh annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run lottery is now open and taking applications for the opportunity to be one of 400 runners and wheeling athletes who lead the way across the Mighty Mac as the sun rises.
The Bridge Run is a five mile non-competitive run over the Mackinac Bridge, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. It is organized by the Governor’s office, the Michigan Fitness Foundation, and the Mackinac Bridge Authority. This is not a timed event and the course will not be certified for Distance. The Bridge Run is limited to 400 participants who will be selected from a lottery drawing in June, 2010. For qualification requirements and to register, click here.
Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance teamed up with Michigan State University RS and GIS Center to map the state’s trails in relation to elementary and middle schools. Trails can serve as an important artery for children walking and biking to school if they are aligned properly with a connection to nearby neighborhoods. Check your county to see whether there are trails within a 2-mile radius to your local school that could be part of a safe routes to school network. For more information on the Safe Routes to School program in Michigan go to www.saferoutesmichigan.org
There is an intense amount of passion in Detroit for this history. I witnessed a small sampling during my visit. The Michigan Freedom Trails Commission and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will play an important role in helping us incorporate the best sites and history into this route, and cycling advocates will help us ensure the route stays true to the Adventure Cycling standards of scenic and safe roads and trails.
Though there’s a lot of work to be done to get this route from concept to map, I am honored, once again, to be working with dedicated people on something that will bring economic and active transportation opportunities to a city once known as the Paris of the Midwest.
MTGA is excited to “go live” with an on-line trailway toolkit, as the latest achievement from the Connecting Michigan State Trailways Vision Action Plan (released by MTGA in 2005). To take a peak, follow this link.
Trail advocates can now find 156 downloadable resources, gathered from MTGA and other trail experts across the state, as well as connections to other helpful website links and trail resource collections across the nation, to help in planning, building, operating, and maintaining their trail projects.
The toolkit is interactive in that it allow for comments to be posted upon review of each resource. There is even a star-rating system that allow the best resources to displayed at the top of the list. “The toolkit will evolve over time as we continue to gather new topics and informational pieces to add,” said Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director of MTGA, “but this starting collection and the user-friendly format lays a good foundation for the future of this online resource.
n the Promoting Active Communities (PAC) program. Increased opportunities for physical activity can provide improved air quality, higher real estate values and better public health. This program consists of a free online assessment tool designed to help communities evaluate local policies, programs, and environments and identify ways to promote and support physical activity. The PAC also consists of an awards system that recognizes communities for using innovative strategies to design active living environments. You can learn more and become an active living advocate in your hometown by visiting the PAC Web site at: www.mihealthtools.org/communities.
For a free copy of the 
