Biking from Lansing's east side to downtown? A new route could make that easier

Sarah Lehr | Lansing State Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Public Service Director Andy Kilpatrick describes Lansing's plans for new bike route Lansing Public Service Director Andy Kilpatrick describes the vision for a bike route that would connect Lansing east side to its downtown.

LANSING — Biking from Lansing's east side to the city's downtown could get a whole lot easier.

The city is finalizing plans for an "east side connector" pedestrian and bike route that would extend from the area of the Frandor shopping center to the eastern edge of Lansing's downtown.

Public Service Director Andy Kilpatrick anticipates the project could be completed by fall 2019, although the city is waiting on formalized agreements with several property owners along the route.

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The route, just over 3 miles in total, would connect bike lanes along city streets to sidewalks and a paved bike path.

In all, the additions would extend from the east side of Frandor to Grand Avenue. The city may extend the route farther west than Grand Avenue into the downtown, though that depends on discussions about traffic volume and whether to replace some street parking with bike lanes.

The city has secured close to $500,000 for the project from a Federal Highway Administration grant. The remaining cost — about $125,000 — will come from the city's allocation of the state gas tax.

Brothers Jeff and Tim Potter lead local bike rides each week through a club called the Lansing Bike Party.

Jeff Potter, a Williamston resident, says he's "wildly enthusiastic" about plans for an east side connector, noting that it's difficult for members of his club to avoid busy streets when biking from East Lansing to Lansing.

"There seems to be a gulf between the two cities," Potter said. "(U.S. Route) 127 creates a real barrier, socially and physically."

Tim Potter, also an advocate for bike-friendly transportation through the Tri-County Bicycle Association, bikes each day from Okemos to his job at Michigan State University's bike shop in East Lansing.

Many amateur cyclists, he said, only feel comfortable riding to work if there is dedicated infrastructure such as bike lanes that are set apart by physical barriers.

"There's a lot of people who don't want to risk riding, if they're mixing it up with motor vehicles," Tim Potter said. "I don't presume other people to be as crazy as I am."

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Nancy Mahlow, president of Lansing's Eastside Neighborhood Organization, is hopeful the connector will pave the way for additional trail projects.

"If we're truly going to be a more bikeable, walkable city, then we need to step up," Mahlow said.

Kilpatrick said the city's goal is to add 1 to 2 miles of bike-friendly infrastructure each year.

"I'd love to see more options for people who want to use non-motorized transportation," Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said of plans for an east side connector. "We're not eliminating cars. We're not eliminating streets. We're just adding another option."

Contact Sarah Lehr at (517) 377-1056 or slehr@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahGLehr.