New option for AATA trip planning

You won't find a link to it on the AATA site but Google maps has added Ann Arbor to the list of cities for which you can get transit directions as well as driving directions. It's also pretty hard to tell by looking at the page that you're there but this seems to be where you start: Google Transit Ann Arbor

Perhaps one reason AATA isn't really promoting this is that it has its own trip planning site. In not-very-extensive testing, each site seems to have its own quirks, but they definitely have advantages over using the printed route maps and timetables. Even experienced transit users can find it a little daunting to figure out a new route with them; for people who are considering taking the bus for the first time, trying to make sense of them can be a big barrier. Any new options that help potential transit users become actual transit users can't hurt efforts to increase ridership.

howell - ann arbor rail line plans expand

According to Metromode, the Coalition for Mass Transit is optomistic about the million dollar Federal grant that they applied for. They are also considering adding stops in Hamburg and Saline.

Other juicy details include:

A three-car passenger train would make six trips during the morning rush hour and another six trips in the afternoon/evening rush hour. Each stainless steel bi-level car could carry between 500 to 600 people per trip. A train would take about 20 minutes one way, saving commuters about 45 minutes in transport time, officials say.

It is estimated the cost to passengers could be kept in line with what they pay for gas. The city also has an enthusiastic partner in Great Lakes Central Railroad, which is willing to set up the service and provide the trains.

curb your car month already started

The housekeeping staff as been consumed with preparations for a return to Michigan from the Far East. As a result, we forgot to remind everyone that May is Curb your Car Month.

The getDowntown program has a great list of events over the next 25 days, like urban cycling skills workshop, lunchtime river walks, class on building your own bike light... too many great things to mention. Check out the calendar for details.

Also, it's not too late to get your company signed up for the Commuter Challenge. Over 60 groups are already signed up! It's a great way to get co-workers to try a carfree commute and a great way for our community to quantify the possibilities of a non-SOV commute.

ten ways to encourage a carfree commute to your downtown ann arbor business

Bicycle Colorado just posted 7 Steps to a Bicycle-Friendly Workplace. Their list of general tips on encouraging biking to work inspired us to write up a list of simple ways businesses in downtown Ann Arbor can encourage carfree commuting.

1. Sign up for the go!pass

2. Post locations and rental info on bike lockers

3. Hand out pedestrian maps, bike maps and bus schedules

4. Offer to ride (bus or bike) with other employees to get them started, or start a bike commute support group.

5. Support local biking and walking organizations and events (WBWC, AABTS, Eco-Ride, Crop Walk, Breast Cancer walk, etc.)

6. Update HR policies to encourage walking, biking and bus riding (parking policy, biking & walking incentives, Emergency Ride Home program, etc.)

7. Invite the getDowntown program to contribute to your company newsletter or talk to employees about their commuting options

8. Provide better biking facilities (covered bike parking, showers, lockers, etc.)

9. Invite a local bike shop to do a brown-bag seminar on bike maintenance.

10. Sign up for the Commuter Challenge and encourage employees to participate in other events throughout Curb Your Car Month

If you've got other ideas, add them to the list via a comment!

Whitmore Lake to Ann Arbor rail service coming this spring?

AANews reports that the city is pushing to implement this line ASAP in order to help relieve construction-related congestion on US23 this summer. We love the plan to link this rail service so directly to the ever-worsening traffic on US23, and this approach is certainly worth a shot before we decide to add lanes to the highway. Of course, the schedule is a little tight. It would be possible to finish the required improvements by March. The problem is in fast-tracking the funding.

Fortunately, potential funding source, MDOT, is working hard to break out of it's image as a heartless, bureaucratic stop-all controlled by the auto industry.

Tim Hoeffner, administrator of MDOT's Intermodal Policy Division, cast doubt on whether the proposed rail service could be running so soon. He said MDOT staff are reviewing cost estimates, schedules and other aspects of the proposal.

They clearly recognize the importance of acting quickly to take advantage of the current allignment of inter-government cooperation, public-private coordination, and urgent need for alternatives to an already crowded highway during major construction. Michigan is fortunate to have a DOT that considers all these hidden costs into their calculations.

"A big question is money," Hoeffner said. "Is there going to be sufficient ridership to justify making some sort of expenditure into it?"

You may think of MDOT as an advocate of highway construction. But the Intermodal Policy Division should be excited to participate in a project like this, with so much infrastructure already in place, so much local support, and such a low initial investment compared to most rail projects.

Hoeffner said he didn't know if the proposed service could be running by this spring.
"We were not real optimistic with them (in December), and I don't know if our position has really changed,'' Hoeffner said.

OK, so MDOT can't really be considered a supporter of the project. Obviously they have a procedure to follow and there are good reasons that that procedure is in place. We would be disappointed to see them throwing money around without some understanding of the risk. All the same, MDOT comes off like a real wet blanket in this article. It would be nice just to hear that they think the general concept is good, or that they support the effort to alleviate construction congestion. In the meantime, the city still seems optomistic. We hope that it pans out.

Yet, we can't close this issue without some constructive criticism. If we were distributing money at MDOT, we'd have to ask how many people would be willing to
-drive to a vacant industrial park in Green Oak Township
-buy a train ticket for a 20 minute ride
-disembark at Plymouth Rd. noreth of Barton Drive (aka middle of nowhere)
-board an AATA to UM Hospital, campus, or downtown
-walk the rest of the way to work
-pay $120/month to do this

That trip probably isn't going to be any faster than sitting through the construction traffic on US23. It's certainly not going to be cheaper, since you have to drive to the train station. And changing modes 3 times doesn't add to the attraction. We understand that there only so much can be done here, but some suggestions might be:
-add bike lanes on Plymouth and good facilities to encourage cycling from the train station (bikes will be permitted on trains)
-stop and start the train near some sort of amenity or service. this train goes from nowhere to nowhere..
-Put the tumbscrews to Ann Arbor Railroad to get that train into downtown, where it belongs
-DDA, UofM, Google, AANews, Toyota, other major employers need to make some commitment to this project. Discounted rail pass for employees is a great start.
-Include bus fare in the train ticket. Most riders should get a free ride through UM or go!pass


Despite the cynicism here, we really are hopeful for the project and the schedule. We'll continue to post updates and ways that people can get involved.

who will Google bring to town?

A recent AANEws article announces that Google is moving downtown, at least for the next four years. The seemingly good news for the city is followed up by another article pointing our that the addition is not all wine and roses. Specifically, parking is an issue again (yes we agree that it probably never stopped being an issue; the framing is just different).

In an effort to accomodate Google's four year stay in the McKinley Town Centre and show a commitment to providing infrastructure that will allow them to stay downtown as they ramp up to 1,000 employees and look for permenant offices in four years, the city guarenteed the internet giant...
go!passes for all employees?
expansion of the Zipcar program to include downtown locations?
increased funding to AATA to expand routes and extend service hours?
a commitment to improving bike and ped facilities downtown?

Sorry gang. The city took the easy way out (or, rather, foolishly dug themselves further into a parking hole) by offering 200 guaranteed parking spaces. Promising 200 parking spaces at a time when permits for downtown parking have a waiting list is a pretty clear indication that Ann Arbor is planning to build more parking.

The article poses the question "As downtown evolves with a flurry of development and visions, one question stands out: Does the city have enough parking to support it?" Hopefully this narrow perspective is to representative of Ann Arbor's view on mobility. By viewing parking as the major constraint to increased density, the reporter boxes us into a one-track (or lane) mobility solution. More people = more cars = more parking.

Really, there are lots of programs in our fair city that support alternatives to driving. We are reassured by programs like the DDA sponsored getDowntown program, which advocates and promotes a variety of transportation options. We are expanding our cycling facilities, the Link is up and running, and the Mayor is pushing for rail service to neighboring areas. It seems feasible that increasing density with the right mix of transportation services could reduce Ann Arbor's car/household ratio.

Yet the policy and infrastructure will do little if the new residents and employees coming to town are only interested in having a parking spot. When wooing Google and other potential business to Ann Arbor, and particularly to downtown, we would like to see a greater effort by the city and business associations to promote the city's complete mobility package, instead of just throwing a stack of parking permits on the bargaining table.

McKinley CEO Albert Berriz says he's ready to house goolites across the street from the office. By promoting the mobility and flexibility of a go!pass, safe bike/ped experience, and a Zipcar membership to new residents and employers, we take a good first step to attracting the kind of people who are more likely to support and use the facilities we want to build and improve.

mini-showers

You want to bike to work, but need to smell professional when you arrive. The fact that your office doesn't have lockers or shower facilities makes that pretty much impossible, right?
Actually, a shower is often overkill in cleaning up for work. Keep in mind that fresh sweat doesn't stink. It's the waste product of bacteria eating the old sweat that creates a nasty odor. Wiping of the old sweat and changing clothes will work just fine, unless you are really using your commute for a work-out.
Here are a few different methods for a mini-shower you can manage in any bathroom stall.

Wash cloth
Keep one at work and dampen. It's the simplest solution. Soap is not necessary. It does require some place to hang the cloth to dry and getting it in the laundry once in a while.

Baby Wipes
Baby wipes have the versitility of duck tape. They are cheap, widely available, easy to carry and do a fine job of knocking the sweat off before work.

Rocket Shower
If you can't get over the association of baby wipes with dirty diapers, or you just prefer over-priced, sport-marketed liquid in a flashy container, you might give this a try. It does get good reviews. Alternatively, combined the listed ingredients at home for a cheaper DIY version.

Armpit diapers
Zajido offers pads that you can stick either directly on your armpit, or on the armpit of your clothing. If you aren't totally weirded out by the idea, maybe you can give it a try and report back.

No matter what method or product you use to wipe down, remember to let yourself cool of and stop sweating first.

Ypsidixit on winter biking

Our favorite Ypsi cyclist, Ypsidixit, is toughening up and waxing poetic on her plans for her winter bike commute. She is fortunate to have the Gallup Park trail as a large section of that ride. This leads us to wonder how well-maintained that trail is in the winter. Anyone know?

quick cool-off tips

The most common concern we hear about cycling to work is the fear of sweat. Even if you ride at a comfortable pace and wear appropriate clothing, chances are that on some days you’ll glisten a little at the end of your commute. Bike rides are deceptive because you can feel cool from the breeze while riding, but then break out in a sweat as the ride and the breeze end.

I live in Bangkok right now and ride to work most day in 90+ temps and 90+ humidity. Despite my slow pace I’m always sweaty when I arrive at work. Here are a few things that help me cool down before I change into work cloths and sit down at my desk. While I’ve broken them down here, they really are one 5-10 minute experience that make my whole day better.

Wait
I used to get off my bike and head straight for the restroom to change, thinking it was a race to get to my air-conditioned desk before I started to sweat. Bad idea. By the time I got to my desk the sweat was really kicking in and my work clothes were looking splotchy with sweat. I’ve since found that if I hang out in my bike clothes for about 5-10 minutes, the sweat will come and then pass, leaving me feeling much cooler and comfortable. Besides, standing in moving air cools you quicker than office A/C.

Breathe
A few deep breaths (in through the nose and out through the mouth) cool me off. I assume that the passing air cools my head a little and the deep breaths slow my heart rate, but I’m not going to pretend that I understand the science behind it. The bottom line is that it works. Five to ten times is enough for me on a hot day (in Thailand that would be 100+). I don’t need to go into a trance state or anything.

Drink
While I’m standing outside the office, I drink a cool beverage. I don’t find that I need anything ice-cold or a name brand sport drink for this to work. A little room temp water works just as well to cool me down.

Strip
The first thing I do when I get off my bike is take off my helmet and backpack to increase the surface area available for heat release. The helmet vents work when riding, but once there is no airflow that thing feels like a wool cap. You might shed gloves or shoes as well.

That routine only takes a few minutes and makes my whole morning a lot more comfortable. It will work even faster in Michigan temps. I found that even in the Ann Arbor winters I often need a moment to cool off from the ride. I’ve also considered carrying a cold hand towel to put over my shoulders. Lots of athletes swear by that technique. During her teeter talk, Nancy Shore also suggested walking your bike the last little bit of your trip. You could combine any of the above with that suggestion.

Now back to the reality of the coming snow…

bike buddies

In a comment on a previous post we wistfully suggested,

It would be great if we had some volunteers willing to ride with people to show them how to do this and build some confidence. I'd like to support a "riding buddy" list on this website. Even better if a couple of police folks would sign up!

C.I.C.L.E. bike blog reports on the kind of thing we were imagining, matching up bike "students" with volunteer "coaches". Courses, class, and manuals are all great, but nothing beats "expert" advice on your own commuting route.

Maybe this is something that could be organized for Curb Your Car Month. Any volunteers?

cycling for slackers

Bicycle fixation has a great article on how to ride without breaking a sweat. It completely debunks the myth that only macho athletes who are totally committed to biking would ever cycle to work. As the author explains, you don't have to dress up like an underwear pervert or invest your life-savings in a bike, in order to pedal around town. In fact, such bike-snob accouterments are more likely to get you sweating than just dressing comfortably.

This is not to say that there isn't a place for day-glow, skin tight, spandex outfits; only that such a place may not be at work, the post office or the supermarket.

AATA RideShare service

AATA offers a free ridesharing service. The website describes the service as "computerized carpool and vanpool matching services that help people with their daily work or college commute. Applicants are matched with others who share common neighborhoods, destinations and hours." The service includes eligibility for the "guarenteed ride home" program, in which you can be reimbursed for a limited number of taxi rides each year to account for emergency needs.

Driving and cost arrangements are left up to the carpool groups. This is nice because it means you don't need a car to participate. You just need someone interested in driving for compensation.

Contributed by: Scott TenBrink

MichiVan vanpools

If you are keeping a car solely to get to work, MichiVan may be just what you need to cut a car out of your life. They set up vanpools for people who live and work in the similar areas. They say if your commute is 15 miles or more and you have a fairly regular work schedule, Michivan will work for you. If you aren't sure, they also provide a commute calculator to show your potential savings over driving to work alone. The average cost is about $75/month which includes all gas, maintenance, parking, insurance, etc.

The stumbling point is finding a vanpool group to join. MichVan does that for you, but you may have to go on a waiting list until there are enough people with a similar commute to form a group.

Contributed by: Scott TenBrink

coffee cup for your bike

I came across a bike blog that is part product review and part DIY modification. The recommendation is for the OXO Good Grips Liquiseal Travel Mug. The benefits are
a. it's cheap ($10)
b. easy to find (Linens 'N Things)
c. fits in a bottle holder
d. doesn't leak
Finding a cup that is leak-proof is harder than I had expected. I haven't used this one, but if it works, it's worth the money.
This rider also added extra insulation to the cup by wrapping it with a layer of cork handlebar tape covered by a layer of duct tape. This has the added benefits of reducing the tapered shape to fit the bottle holder better and making the cup more “grippy”. All in all a good tip for those who combine their morning ride and morning coffee.
Link: http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2006/07/coffee-mug-for-your-bike.html

Contributed by: Scott TenBrink

commuter clothing stash

By committing to car-free commuting, I’m also committing to repeated weather interaction. Whether commuting by bus, bike, or foot I know that I can't escape bad weather. Instead of worrying about keeping my cloths clean and dry on the way to work, I usually carry my work clothes in my backpack and dress in the bathroom at work. Properly folded and protected, my clothes are basically wrinkle-free when I arrive. If I sweat a little while pedaling uphill, I have fresh clothes to put on at the office.
I also keep a comfortable pair of work shoes at my desk so I can ride with my cycling shoes, and keep an emergency change of clothes in a desk drawer in case a city bus dowses my backpack in a tidal wave of road wash. You can also keep a washcloth, deodorant, comb, etc. in this emergency stash. Even though my office doesn’t have shower facilities, the bathroom offers plenty of space for a quick change.

Contributed by: Scott TenBrink

bike lockers

The getDowntown program rents out bike lockers around town for $60/year + $25 key deposit. It's a good way to keep an expensive and/or much-loved bike safe from weather and undesired attention. They are big enough for most any bike (except recumbants) but a trailer won't fit. Contact getDowntown to find out what is available.
Website: www.getdowntown.org/bike/bike_parking.html
Email: Erica@annarborchamber.org
Phone: (734) 214-0100

Contributed by: Scott TenBrink

go!pass

If you work downtown (that is, within the DDA boundary-map), your employer could be providing you with a free transit map. The go!pass program, operated by the getDowntown program, allows downtown employers to buy free transit passes for all of their employees for $5/person. You can use the transit pass at any time on any AATA route. That means not only is your commute to work free, but you can also get a free ride to the mall or grocery store. If you work downtown and don't have a go!pass, talk to your boss or contact the getDowntown program and they will do the sales pitch on your behalf.
A bunch of downtown retailers like Relax Station, Crazy Wisdom, and Footprints, also offer discounts for go!pass holders!

Website: www.getdowntown.org
Email: Erica@annarborchamber.org
Phone: (734) 214-0100

Contributed by: Scott TenBrink

our commuting habits according to the census

Despite rising fuel prices, the Detroit News claims "Metro workers OK with the drive". The article agues that living where you like is worth the commute.

"People tell me they're willing to live farther from their jobs if it means a clean, safe, very quiet neighborhood," said Anna Rudica, a Dearborn Realtor. "To do that, I'm referring people to homes farther and farther from the traditional older neighborhoods."

If only realtors and businesses recognize the potential benefit of creating a better environment near places of employment, perhaps families wouldn't have to run screaming to the suburbs. In the mean time, a CPA commuting one hour to downtown Detroit every day form his new home in Brighton gives this enthusiastic support of the suburban commute:

"I guess I'm used to it now," said Gupta, who became a dad last year. "Most of my neighbors do it. It's just a way of life."

That article, along with the recent release of the 2005 American Community Survey, got us interested in Ann Arbor's commuting stats. This is the first year A2 is a "place" on it's own, instead of being lumped into the Detroit/Flint metro area, so we couldn't get historical comparisons. But here are a few basics on how AnnArborites get to work:

65% of us drive alone to work
13% of us walk to work. Wow! That's more than biking, taxis, motorcycles and "other" modes combined!
19.8 minutes one-way is our average commute time, a little less than the 25 minute national average. That amounts to a little over three hours each week, which is a good amount of excersize if you are biking or walking. It's enough time to accomplish a decent chunk of reading, knitting, or studying on the bus.
13.3% of Ann Arbor commuters work outside the county, according to the ACS. That seems low to me, but it is good news for the carfree community. If you do work outside the county, you are about 50% more likely to drive to work alone.