Connectivity within Site & to Adjacent Properties
Pathways should be designed to facilitate pedestrian access to buildings, parking areas, and streets, as well as to nearby public, recreation, transit, and commercial facilities.  Sidewalk design (e.g., size, route, surface material, lighting, landscaping) can vary depending on a site’s natural features and intended use; however, sidewalks should separate pedestrians from automobile traffic whenever possible.  Incorporating colored or textured sidewalks through parking areas should be considered as one option for establishing pedestrian zones within parking lots.

Sidewalks & Shared Pathways
Sidewalks, which offer pedestrians of all ages and mobility levels safe access throughout a community, generally should start at the periphery of hamlets, villages, or cities where lot widths begin to narrow.  While sidewalk width varies based on factors such as location and estimated usage, determining the appropriate width involves guaranteeing sufficient space for pedestrians and other users to safely pass.  Sidewalks should also be designed to accommodate a site’s topography and mature trees and, whenever possible, located within street rights-of-way.

The design of sidewalks establishes the continuity of pedestrian areas. Incorporating special paving elements (e.g., brick pavers, colored or textured concrete) consistently reinforces the pedestrian system and, at intersections, designates the point where drivers must yield the road to pedestrians.  Landscaping and pedestrian amenities (e.g., benches, trash cans, lighting, pedestrian furniture) provided along sidewalks enhance the pedestrian area. In addition to their aesthetic value, trees and other landscape elements can serve a practical purpose: they provide a buffer between vehicular traffic along streets and pedestrians on sidewalks.

A Guideline for Sidewalks
• Arterials/Collectors                                          Both Sides
• Local Streets
         • Commercial Areas                                  Both Sides
         • Residential Areas
                  • Over 4 units per acre                      Both Sides
                  • 1 – 4 units per acre                        One Side
                  • Less than 1 unit per acre                None

Source: R.L. Knoblauch et al., Investigation of Exposure Based Pedestrian Accident Areas: Crosswalks, Sidewalks, Local Streets and Major Arterials, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., 1988.

Trails & Bike Lanes
By enhancing the existing trail system and establishing additional bike lanes throughout Northern Lower Michigan, communities encourage the use of bicycles as a safe, convenient, environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

As with sidewalks, trail width varies depending on location and estimated usage.  Trail surfaces include asphalt, crushed gravel edged in wood or metal, and wood chips depending on location and usage.  For bike trails, asphalt is most frequently used and meets Federal ADA accessibility requirements.  Trails and pedestrian pathways are typically easier to develop if they are planned into street rights-of-way and lot configurations; nevertheless, trails can be incorporated into a site’s natural areas, except in instances where access would conflict with protected habitats.

Wooden trail bridges allow for non-invasive enjoyment of the natural topography and setting.  Trails should intersect roadways mid-block (i.e., not at intersections) whenever possible.  Crossings should be well marked along both roadways and trails, and local jurisdictions may consider installing pedestrian activated lights where trails intersect major roadways.  Sites should provide linkages between established trail networks within the region, and local communities should encourage multi-lot developments to develop trail systems that connect buildings to open areas within the site, as well as to regional trails when possible.  Bicycle lanes can be used to connect trail networks.

Bicycle lanes could be incorporated into most local streets within Northern Lower Michigan; however, separate bicycle routes need to be established along heavily traveled roads.

Pavement Types
Variation in pavement types enhances a site’s design, and the selection of materials depends largely on the intended use.  For instance, brick or concrete pavers offer a distinctive option for sidewalks in areas of high usage, asphalt provides a seamless surface ideal for recreation trails, and crushed gravel provides a “green” alternative for parks and natural areas.  When local jurisdictions encourage developers to choose pavement types that provide ease of access with impermeable surfaces, stormwater management is improved.

Bicycle Parking
The provision of secure bicycle parking areas encourages the use of alternative methods of transportation to access a site.  Bike rack design should provide safe, easy access and be located near main building entrances.  For large sites or multiple buildings, several smaller bicycle racks should be located throughout the site.