There are a variety of unintended consequences when communities pay little attention to the walkability and bikeability of their community - many of which fall in the realm of public health and safety. For instance, when a community is designed without active living in mind, rates of diseases associated with a lack of physical activity [...]

Novi is a bustling city about 30 miles northwest of Detroit. It is home to a unique mix of cultures, exemplified by places like its Hindu temple and Japanese grocery store. While many Michigan cities have struggled with population declines according to theU.S. Census, Novi has grown consistently and is now home to more than

The famous Ford Flivver was manufactured in Kingsford in the early 20th century – a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After Henry Ford established the automobile plant, the Flivver, which was the nickname for his Model T automobile, began serving as the unofficial school mascot. Today, two of Breitung Township Schools, Kingsford Middle School

Districtwide approaches to Safe Route to School (SRTS) projects are strongly encouraged because they provide consistent communication, education, and a supportive culture for walking and biking to school. This approach works to ensure that no matter the location a student finds themselves in while traveling to and from school, they have resources that support walking

Over the last decade, the Michigan Safe Routes to School (SRTS) team has been encouraging communities to think of their programming, planning and infrastructure design needs with a holistic, district-wide approach. Instead of focusing on improving active transportation for students and families around one school, they have been encouraging stakeholders to consider all schools in

Over ten years ago, Argentine Township and the Linden, Argentine, Fenton, and Fenton Township Pathways (LAFF) trails group envisioned a multi-community pathway that would connect cyclists across southwest Genesee County. With support from LAFF, Linden Community Schools, and the Genesee County Road Commission, Argentine Township embarked on a planning project for a multi-use trail project.

Building consensus among stakeholders is an important part of any Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project. At Madison School District, former superintendent and community champion, Ryan Rowe played a key role to gain support for their SRTS project with stakeholders that could amplify the project. Rowe understood that planning, application, and construction processes can take

After a school completed their surveys, and walking and biking audit, the next step is to start the action planning process. The action planning process is intended to engage community, and this case study on Mill Elementary school in Dearborn shows how they fostered community engagement to create their action plan. As the birthplace of

Motown, one of the affectionate nicknames of Detroit, is the birthplace of soul music, a style of music that has a flair of pop influence. It’s a city with soul in more than just its music. Its people have it too. They have a sense of positivity, pride and strength in the face of outside

Detroit, the “Motor City”, is known for the innovation of the automobile which is ingrained into mainstream culture. This, and much of Detroit’s history, means different things to different people with wide variations based on where residents live and how they move through the city. The appreciation of Detroit’s transportation history is especially true for