Great Lakes Echo - Environmental news of the Great Lakes region

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Transportation

E-bike surge sparks safety concerns amid policy changes

By Donte Smith | September 20, 2024

By Donté Smith

The surge in electric bike (e-bike) sales has been nothing short of “obvious,” according to Rick Teranes, the co-owner of Bikes Blades & Boards in Grosse Pointe, Michigan

“Sales of e-bikes have multiplied in recent years,” Teranes said, highlighting the significant shift in Metro Detroit’s cycling landscape driven by their growing popularity. And that has raised concerns about safety for e-cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. In response to the increasing use of e-bikes, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently implemented a land use change, allowing Class 1 e-bikes on designated non-motorized trails. Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal-assist without a throttle and can reach speeds up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes have the same speed limit but include a throttle, allowing riders to accelerate without pedaling.

Ohio roads reflect tumultuous winter weather

Rural communities face challenges in providing ambulance services

Limited public transit options hinder employment opportunities

Thousands of tires hitting Michigan roads may someday be in them

Land

Steam railroad takes passengers on journey through time

By Donte Smith | October 23, 2024

By Donté Smith

As the crisp autumn air settles over Michigan, the gentle chug of steam engines echoes through Coldwater. The Little River Railroad, a historic steam railway, invites passengers to step back in time for a ride filled with charm and nostalgia. It’s one of 55 steam locomotives in the state, 15 of them still operational, according to Steam Locomotive Information. Among their other locations are Owosso, Benton Harbor, Buckley and Monroe, Dearborn, Lake Linden and Skandia. Heather Kaiser, a stoker for the Little River Railroad, shared the story of the locomotives that power these rides.

Transportation

Automated shuttles provide new mobility options, but coverage concerns remain

By Donte Smith | October 15, 2024

By Donté Smith

Capital News Service

Detroit’s streets are becoming a testing ground for future transportation, with automated shuttles like Accessibili-D and Connect AV offering mobility solutions. These shuttles, which started operating this year, help residents, particularly those with limited transportation, access essential destinations such as doctors’ offices and grocery stores. The Connect AV shuttle provides fully electric, scheduled autonomous transportation along a 10.8-mile route connecting Corktown, downtown Detroit and the East Jefferson Riverfront. Operating on weekdays with 10-15 minute intervals during peak hours, the service is free. In comparison, Accessibili-D is tailored for older adults and people with disabilities, offering free on-demand rides to vital locations such as medical facilities.

Transportation

Bicycle accidents increase drastically in Michigan, study says

By Guest Contributor | January 29, 2024

A bike ride is meant to be a relaxing and fun way to engage in physical activity. For other riders, bicycling is an essential form of transportation. All bicyclists want to feel safe.

Transportation

Charter boat captain faces prison for unlicensed vessel

By Eric Freedman | November 27, 2023

A charter captain faces prison and a fine when he is sentenced early next year for violating a Coast Guard order to stop commercial operation of his unlicensed boat on Lake St. Clair.

Benajmin Jones, 39, of Detroit pleaded guilty to a felony charge of deliberately violating a July 2021 Coast Guard order with his 39-foot Sea Ray, PWR TOWER, federal prosecutors said.

Transportation

Reducing salt use on snowy roads proves challenging

By Guest Contributor | November 16, 2023

As the winter season approaches, counties across Michigan are preparing to handle the inevitable dumping of snow, especially on roadways.

Technology and processes employed have helped plows become more efficient, said Bradley Wieferich, the director of the Department of Transportation.

Transportation

Michigan struggles to fill public bus driver positions

By Guest Contributor | November 1, 2023

Public transportation is suffering from a lack of drivers in communities across Michigan.

Clark Harder, the executive director of the Michigan Public Transit Association, said it’s a statewide problem.

Transportation

Rail link upgrade expected to help northern Michigan businesses

By Guest Contributor | October 30, 2023

Michigan is set to receive $20.4 million from a federal grant to improve passenger and freight railroads around the state, including a bridge project in Wexford County.

The Manistee River Train Bridge replacement project is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2027, according to MDOT.

Echo

The future of sustainable aviation could be electric

By Anastasia Pirrami | November 15, 2022

An aerospace engineering team at the University of Michigan is researching hybrid-electric aircraft to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. The U-M aviation program will follow a design similar to the way hybrid-electric cars use batteries.

Capital News Service

Ridership, staffing challenges face local bus systems

By Jada Penn | June 8, 2022

Public transit agencies in Michigan are facing post-pandemic ridership and staffing shortages. The Michigan Public Transit Association launched ad campaigns in February to address those needs and has seen many great responses, especially on social media, but the association’s members still face hardships, and no one knows if they’ll get all of their riders back.

Homepage Featured

Repairs planned to 78 Michigan bridges rated in poor condition

By Sydney Bowler | May 12, 2022

A recently launched bridge bundling program by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is expected to repair up to 78 locally owned bridges that are in serious or critical condition. The repaired bridges could last up to 50 years before needing to be fixed again and could potentially last even longer with maintenance project.