bike lane

Grand Rapids is embarking on a multi-year bicycle safety education project to help motorists and bicyclists know the rules of the road.

(MLive.com File)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A federal grant will fund most of a $632,000 bicycle safety education project. Most of the project funding will be spent on a $499,500 consulting contract.

Grand Rapids City Commission on Tuesday, July 22, hired the Portland, Ore. firm Alta Planning + Design as the prime consultant on the 3-year project. Four other consultants also will be involved.

Here’s what they’ll all do, according to a memo from Christopher Zull, the city’s traffic safety manager:

• Alta Planning + Design

• Cairn Guidance in Oregon

• Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition

• GUD Marketing in Lansing

• Wondergem Consulting in Grand Rapids



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With a prime consultant on board, the project can begin research that will inform the development of educational materials, Zull said.

“I’m expecting to see some cool video work, likely some billboards and maybe some radio spots as well,” he said.

Some of the education will focus on engineering and infrastructure, Zull said, but “the bigger focus is going to be about general education, where is the car supposed to be where is the bike supposed to be.”

Matt Vande Bunte covers government for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at mvandebu@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter and Facebook.