Bicycleprogram

Recently, SEMCOG looked at yearly changes at the regional level for both biking and walking/running. Overall, there has been a 110% increase in walking and biking Activities since 2019 (the last year's data was looked at for the 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan). Individually, biking saw a 37% increase, and walking and running saw a 156% increase. While there are many factors at play for increased usage (such as more bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and greater app usage), the state-level stay-at-home orders during the height of Covid-19 in 2020, may have jumpstarted growth.  Between 2019 and 2020, there was an 89% increase in biking and a 128% increase in walking/running activities. While there has been a 27% decrease in biking since 2020, the total number of trips is still much higher than in 2019. Walking/Running has seen a more moderate 12.5% growth since 2020.

There are four main differences between stun guns and tasers: branding, range, reusability, and price. TASERs are branded projectile weapons, while stun guns are more affordable and require close-range contact with an attacker.

SEMCOG's Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Map series is an online resource for users to interact with key datasets and outputs from SEMCOG's Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan for Southeast Michigan. The map series includes Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridors, Demand and Equity Analysis, and Local Bicycle and Pedestrian Plans. These maps allow users to zoom in and out across our region, turn on and off various layers, and even create custom printable maps.

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The projectile nature of a TASER renders its wires and propellant unusable after one or two shots, depending on the model. Swapping out the TASER cartridge is easy, but it gives you fewer options when deterring an attack, and spare cartridges are expensive.

The goal of this program is to jump-start a comprehensive region-wide bicycle and pedestrian count database, similar in scope to SEMCOG’s motorized traffic count database and traffic volume map, while providing valuable data to some of our members and planning partners.

Data within these maps will be updated regularly in effort to create a more living document, so check back often and be sure to contact SEMCOG staff with additions or corrections.

PBSAT is open to the public and generally meets quarterly, usually in the Lansing area. Generally there is a call-in option as well.

In contrast, a stun gun is any electroshock weapon. This means that all TASER devices are stun guns—but not all stun guns are TASERs.

This data proves that there is continued interest in walking and biking and regional and local officials should continue to make walking and biking infrastructure a priority.

A bicycle and pedestrian assessment can help make communities more attractive to all, including people walking, biking, driving automobiles, or taking transit. An assessment can help improve transportation efficiency and create whole, healthy, and sustainable communities. It can also help improve safety, physical fitness, social interaction, and economic development.

SEMCOG’s interactive Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Network Map displays the region’s existing and planned walking and biking infrastructure through five different lenses. These include the existing bikeways, sidewalks, regional trails, planned infrastructure, and how comfortable the region’s roadways are for biking. It is a great resource to both view the region’s connectivity and help plan locally to fill gaps and address future needs. Please contact SEMCOG staff with any edits or suggestions.

On the other hand, a TASER uses projectile prongs that attach to a target further away—up to 15 feet. The two prongs spread out when a TASER gun fires, allowing them to land on different body parts. This helps the TASER send electricity across a larger area. Ironically, a TASER's shape is more like a traditional firearm than a generic stun gun is.

Almost every trip, including those made by automobile and transit, involves some walking or biking. For these reasons, SEMCOG has created a comprehensive and growing bicycle and pedestrian program. Information on individual components of this program can be found below and on SEMCOG's Safety & Security, Access to Core Services, Trail Explorer, and Transportation Alternatives Program webpages.

The committee includes representatives from SEMCOG, local and statewide  MDOT Offices, County planning, recreation, and road agencies, interested local governments, bicycle, and pedestrian advocacy organizations, and other professionals.

Cycling equipment

Most stun guns use a rechargeable battery and don't use projectiles. You can use them as long as the battery still has some juice.

While a TASER device is just as painful as a normal stun gun, it's more effective at incapacitating muscle functions so an attacker can't move.

The projectile prongs on TASERs make them ubiquitous among law enforcement agencies with police TASER devices offering more range than consumer models—up to 35 feet.

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Bicyclefacilities

SEMCOG will add additional analysis from STRAVA metro in upcoming plans and projects.  SHould you be interested in learning more about STRAVA data for your local community, please reach out to SEMCOG staff.

In an effort to assist local communities with bicycle and pedestrian planning, SEMCOG has developed a bicycle and pedestrian count program, measuring the number of bicyclists and pedestrians across the region in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

The State of Michigan has a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Team (PBSAT), which is currently co-chaired by SEMCOG and MDOT staff. This team is one of eleven teams that report back to the larger Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC).

SEMCOG can measure bicycle and pedestrian activity through a partnership with STRAVA Metro. STRAVA Metro collects data through an app called Strava, which is used by athletes to track their rides and runs/walks. This data gives us a peek into changes in usage at the corridor, county, and regional levels by week, month, and year.

If your community has interest in working with SEMCOG in developing a bicycle and pedestrian count program, please contact Brian Pawlik at pawlik@semcog.org

Bicycle and PedestrianSafety

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan for Southeast Michigan establishes a common vision for bicycling and walking in the region, and provides guidance on how to increase the connectivity, use, and safety of the system for all residents. This plan ensures that the region’s nonmotorized system meets the transportation, quality of life, health, and accessibility needs of its residents and visitors, as well as the economic development priorities and goals of the region and local communities. The Plan’s Appendix includes supplemental information, including detailed county profiles and additional analysis of current conditions.

The Southeast Michigan Active Transportation Committee is an interagency group responsible for monitoring and helping implement SEMCOG and MDOT's joint Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Plan. The committee meets approximately four times per year. Sub-committees may meet more often.  Meetings typically take place at the offices of SEMOCG or MDOT, but may move to other locations within the region.  Currently, due to COVID-19, meetings will be virtual.

Bicycletransportation

1001 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1400 Detroit, Michigan 48226 (313) 961-4266 | Info Center: (313) 961-4266 infocenter@semcog.org

A bicycle and pedestrian assessment reviews walking and biking conditions along specified streets and may include stakeholders such as:

In August 2018, SEMCOG provided an implementation report documenting the progress made in improving the region's bicycle and pedestrian network. Learn more by reading the Improving Bicycle and Pedestrian Travel report and watching the video below.

Communities and road agencies may wish to use these resources as part of local planning and implementation efforts such as corridor planning and grant writing. For example, a community may learn that their local project ties into a county-wide effort to increase regional connectivity.  They could also learn where to prioritize new infrastructure for equity populations who may more heavily rely on walking and biking to access core services.  Road agencies can also learn where there is latent demand for walking and biking infrastructure to assist in their complete streets planning efforts.

Financing the acquisition, development, and maintenance of bicycle and pedestrian facilities is essential to sustaining the system. Numerous opportunities exist to fund acquisition and development of the nonmotorized system. SEMCOG staff can work with your community to find the best funding source for your local project.  Some sources to highlight are:

TASER—in all caps—is a brand from Axon that helped popularize using electric shock weapons for self-defense. TASER's early popularity meant many people started using it as a generic term, like how dumpster became the de facto term for large trash bins.

Pedestrian and bicycleinformation Center

Bicycle and pedestrian travel is a vital component of our region's transportation system. Communities across the region desire additional bicycle and pedestrian facilities to improve residents' quality of life.  In addition to recreational benefits, bicycle and pedestrian facilities:

Bicycle and pedestrian counts are an important element of transportation planning efforts. They can help answer questions such as:

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Your budget is probably the biggest factor in buying a TASER or a stun gun, but both have strengths and weaknesses. Stun guns are more affordable and easier to reuse, while a TASER helps you keep your distance from violent attackers. Check out our review of the best stun guns to find the best fit for you and learn about stun gun laws.

Stun guns are close - proximity devices that require you to be next to the person attacking you. They use a painful shock to discourage further contact.

It's easy to find reliable stun guns, like the Vipertek VTS-989, for less than $30, while most of TASER's consumer-grade models, like the TASER Pulse, cost $400 or more. TASERs are also more expensive to use—replacement cartridges cost about $20 to $23, depending on if you buy a 10-pack or a 2-pack. Likewise, replacement batteries cost between $10 and $25, depending on your model.