Walking, Biking, and more

Importance of Non-Motorized Transportation

Non-motorized transportation facilities can improve the attractiveness and livability of the community and give its citizens a choice in their mode of transportation. By providing expanded bicycle- and pedestrian-oriented infrastructure, both recreational and transportation needs of the MATS area will be enhanced, while realizing social, environmental, economic and health benefits – all positive effects. Another benefit is the fact that the MATS NMT Plan lends support and justification for funding requests by local units of government; NMT projects that are part of or connect with regional non-motorized network in an adopted plan are looked upon in a favorable light by funding agencies from state and federal programs.

A significant note is that NMT facilities are frequently categorized as merely leisure or recreational facilities. However, NMT facilities also provide transportation opportunities for all types of non-motorized users for many purposes. There is a wide range of skills and speeds between various cyclists, from toddlers to fast, skilled and regular commuters.

Non-motorized transportation includes walking and bicycling, and variants such as small-wheeled transport (cycle rickshaws, skates, skateboards, push scooters and hand carts) and wheelchair travel. In addition, various non-motorized pathways, including designated bicycle routes, shared bike lanes and a network of sidewalks, have been developed over time within the City of Midland boundaries. These facilities link multiple destinations within the downtown and across the City providing safe travel routes for bicyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized users; providing connections to parks, schools, shopping districts, and other destinations. Currently, there is an on-going effort to fund additional trails and pathways to provide even greater non-motorized connectivity throughout the City of Midland.

  • The MATS metropolitan area has a variety of non-motorized facilities, amounting to over 100 miles in total. Midland County alone has 57 miles of existing non-motorized facilities (not including sidewalks), including 13 miles of paved shoulders (4 feet in width or greater), more than 34 miles of shared use paths, and 9 miles of bike lanes. In addition, there are facilities in both Williams and Tittabawassee Townships.

    The MATS non-motorized infrastructure was constructed primarily by local municipalities with the help of the Midland/Bay/Saginaw Road Commissions, City of Midland, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The MATS area’s network serves a wide-array of users including those who utilize the pathways for recreation, commuting to work or school, or long-distance travel. Our diverse non-motorized facilities include the following:

    • Pere Marquette Rail Trail (portion of)

    • Chippewa Nature Trail

    • Pine Haven Recreation Area

    • Midland-Mackinac Trail (portion of)

    • Midland City Trail

    • City Forest Park and Trails

    • Stratford Woods Park and Trails

    • Tittabawassee Township Pathway

    • Freeland-Kochville Trail West

    • Freeland M-47 Pathway

    • U.S. Bicycle Route 20 (portion of)

  • The Iron Belle Trail is a 791-mile bicycle route which connects various existing multi-use trails across the entire state of Michigan, extending from Belle Isle Park near downtown Detroit to Ironwood in the western part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This extensive trail does not run directly through the MATS area, however it is proposed to run through Bay City just to the east. Having the Iron Belle Trail in close proximity allows potential connections to the MATS non-motorized network in the future.

    From a regional perspective, the MATS area contains a multitude of non-motorized facilities including a portion of the proposed Iron Belle Trail. The DNR describes it as “Michigan’s showcase trail that touches hundreds of municipalities and crosses through 48 different Michigan counties. Using existing trails, networks and new connections, the trail extends more than 2,000 miles from the far western tip of the Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit, with a route of bicycling, and a route of hiking.”

  • Another significant NMT facility is the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, a regional multi-use trail stretching from downtown Midland northwest to Clare County and beyond. The Trail was re-purposed in the early 1990s from what used to be the Pere Marquette Railroad. In 2001, the trail was extended an additional 8.25 miles completing the 30-mile stretch between Midland and Clare. Today, the trail is barrier-free and opened to all non-motorized transportation modes. Not only is this an important amenity to the MATS area, but it also promotes the development of other similar non-motorized pathways. The Pere Marquette Rail Trail is a major route for all types of non-motorized users, extremely successful since its creation.

  • The Freeland-Kochville Trail West project, completed in 2020, created a 10-foot wide, 2.69-mile non-motorized pathway in Tittabawassee Township that travels primarily within existing utility right-of-way, extending from the Freeland Sports Zone east to Hospital Road. The Freeland-Kochville Trail West is Tittabawassee Township’s portion of the larger Freeland-Kochville Trail project that is collaboratively pursued by both Tittabawassee and Kochville Townships. This trail will connect Tittabawassee Township to Kochville Township, Saginaw Township, Saginaw Valley State University, and the existing trail infrastructure in Saginaw County. It will also be a part of the future Great Lakes Bay Regional Trail which will connect Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City.

  • Other non-motorized facilities within the Great Lakes Bay Region can be seen below. This map was originally prepared by the East Michigan Council of Governments. The priorities and desired connections in each county are at various stages - some are merely in the discussion phase while others have been fully vetted with detailed feasibility studies and cost estimates completed.

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Better non-motorized transportation systems will improve the attractiveness and livability of the community. By providing this infrastructure, both recreational and transportation needs of the MATS area are addessed, while realizing social, environmental, economic and health benefits – all positive effects. Another benefit is that NMT Plan lends support and justification for funding requests by local units of government; NMT projects that are part of or connect with regional non-motorized network in an adopted plan are looked at more favorably by funding agencies from state and federal programs.