Bike Lanes
City welcomes first-ever bike lane to Plumbrook Road!
The newly opened bike lane on Plumbrook Road is 2.3 miles and stretches from 17 Mile to Utica Road. The bike lane helps connect riders to our vast trail system in Sterling Heights such as the Clinton River Trail and the Iron Belle Trail.
The Plumbrook Bike Lane project was a part of the total Plumbrook reconstruction that was awarded $4.84 million and included a new asphalt surface, tree plantings, new mast arm traffic signals at 17 Mile/Plumbrook, sidewalk gap completion, streetlight enhancements, and the creation of the bike lane.
This project reflects our city’s Vision 2024 guiding principles of creating a community that maintains safe streets for all, focuses on inclusive mobility, connects people to key destinations through an expanding network of interconnected trails, and is committed to sustainability by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. We’re not just painting lanes; we’re painting a greener, healthier future.
Bike Lane Basics
What is a bike lane?
A bike lane is a dedicated space in the roadway for bicyclists to ride in. In Michigan, bike lanes can be used by regular bikes and e-bikes.
What rules do bicyclists have to follow?
Bicyclists must follow the same rules of the road as cars. This includes stopping at stop signs and red lights.
Do bicyclists have to stay in the bike lane?
Bicyclists can still ride in the car lanes. They might do this to pass another cyclist, make a left turn, or avoid a hazard in the bike lane.
Can cars and motorcycles use the bike lanes?
Drivers can cross a bike lane only to turn onto a driveway or a street. Driving, parking, or idling in the bike lane is not allowed.
Can pedestrians use the bike lanes?
Unlike sidewalks or side paths, bike lanes may not be used by pedestrians. This includes people walking, rollerblading, and skateboarding under Michigan law.
Why Bike Lanes?
What are the benefits of bike lanes?
In every community, some residents need or choose to use bicycling as a mode of transportation. Bike lanes make the road safer for both bicyclists and drivers. Cyclists get their own space, reducing the likelihood of crashes. Riding in bike lanes makes cyclist behavior more predictable, which results in safer roads for drivers. For more information on the benefits of non-motorized transportation (including bicycle travel), see the City of Sterling Heights Parks, Recreation, and Non-Motorized Master Plan 2022-2026 (“the Master Plan”).
Why bike lanes along Plumbrook?
- Bike lanes along Plumbrook provide important connections between residents and community resources like Dodge Park Trail and the Iron Belle Trail. More broadly, introducing these non-motorized facilities advances two goals from the Master Plan. These goals are to elevate the importance of pedestrians and cyclists throughout the City and to support and encourage the development of the regional non-motorized network with the City and surrounding communities.
- Low-speed limit of 35 mph, heavy residential which provides a point of origin for users.
- The traffic calming aspect will be achieved by slightly reducing travel lanes to reduce travel speeds.
Why include bike lanes when there are already sidewalks?
Bicycles are allowed on sidewalks, but pedestrians have the right of way. Bike lanes improve safety for both cyclists and pedestrians by reducing pedestrian-cyclist conflicts and by making bikers more visible to cars.
Project Specifics
Why are some white bike lane lines dotted and others solid? Why are parts of the bike lane green?
Dotted lines and green paint indicate areas where high volumes of cars may be crossing the bike lane. They are used to signal to drivers and cyclists to pay extra attention to traffic in these areas.
Why is there a hatched area between the travel lane and bike lane?
The hatched area is a visual buffer space to create separation and add protection and comfort between motorists and bicyclists.
Why do some parts of the buffer have delineators?
Delineators were strategically placed in critical areas, such as curves and intersection approaches, where vehicle and bike conflicts may exist to provide additional separation and protection.
Who has the right-of-way at intersections?
- At intersections like Dodge Park without a dedicated right-turn lane, right-turning cars must yield to bicyclists who are going straight. Cars should be wary of potential cyclists crossing the roadway as they would a regular pedestrian.
- At intersections like Schoenherr, we have used updated design guidance for when a designated right turn lane is present, the cyclist is strategically put on the left of cars turning right. This allows for better visibility for both cyclists and cars because as a car is turning right, they are likely looking left to ensure there is no oncoming traffic. Now when they look left, they will be aware of the cyclist as well as the oncoming traffic they are looking to merge into. This design meets industry standards and has been implemented safely at intersections across the country.
Why do the bike lanes end at 17 Mile Road and Utica Road?
The Plumbrook bike lane is a pilot project, and the city is in the process of reviewing potential areas where bike lanes can be added to allow for greater connectivity throughout the city.