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One of the cardinal rules of safe cycling is signaling. Whether changing lanes or making a turn, every bicyclist is taught the critical importance of indicating his or her movements on the streets with a simple hand gesture.

Historically, two-wheeling travelers have indicated a right turn by extending and bending their left arm, as if giving the queen’s wave. But times are a-changing and many cyclists have come to prefer a more intuitive signal: pointing with their right arm. According to the League of American Bicyclists, 32 states have altered their traffic laws to legalize the new signal.

Now, Michigan advocates are working to bump that number to 33 — but also ensure that the left hand signal stays legal, too.

In May, advocates from the League of Michigan Bicyclists presented state legislators with a white paper, urging them to enact a “common-sense update to the Michigan Vehicle Code (MVC)” that would allow for the extended right arm signal. Policymakers took notice and a bill was introduced that would do just that. But there’s a hitch: The bill would also eliminate the current method for signaling right turns and the upturned left arm would no longer be recognized as legal. So the LMB, along with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) and the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA), jumped into action to make sure both options stay on the table.

This week, LMB Associate Director John Lindenmayer provided testimony on the bill, drawing on a position paper submitted by all three organizations.

“We believe that legalizing the new method of signaling and encouraging cyclists to use it is a positive move,” the paper noted. “Not only do automobile drivers better recognize a cyclist’s intentions when they point in the direction they plan to turn, it is also easier to teach children to point in the direction they plan to go… [But] LMB, MTGA and MMBA would like to see the MVC updated to legalize the actions of the many cyclists who already instinctively point to the right without penalizing current law-abiding cyclists who use an upturned left arm. Thousands of out-of-state cyclists visit Michigan each year, who may only know or use the universal upturned left arm signal that is currently legal in all 50 states, and required in 18 states. By striking the original language, cyclists could be penalized by law enforcement for unintentionally violating a traffic law that would be unique only to Michigan.”

If you’d like to take action, LMB is urging the cycling community to contact Representative Paul Opsommer, House Transportation Committee Chair, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Subscribe to the LMB’s blog to get updates on the bill.

Receiving an Alliance Advocacy Award in recognition of their tireless efforts for the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition has only increased the momentum of the League of Michigan Bicyclists.

Last week, the City of Ann Arbor and Burt Township adopted Complete Street Policies, increasing the count of Complete Street ordinances and resolutions in Michigan to 32. As noted on the Michigan Complete Street Coalition’s website, according to census data, Michigan’s 32 Complete Streets policies means that 24 percent of Michigan’s population will be living in a community that aims to be easily accessible by all modes of transportation. This number will surely continue to increase with LMB’s hard work. Just yesterday, Lathrup Village launched a Complete Streets program, with the ultimate goal of adopting a Complete Streets ordinance.

Shortly after the City of Ann Arbor’s adoption of its Complete Streets Policy, the city’s transportation program manager Eli Cooper explained the adoption of the policyamidst Ann Arbor’s on-going recognition from the state and national organizations for its biking and walking programs. “Ann Arbor has a ways to go to realize its vision of providing comfortable travel for all users regardless of age or ability level,” says Cooper.

Acknowledging this need for change just might help Michigan transform its current image as the automobile capital of the world to the active transportation capital of the world, and will certainly create an example for other communities looking to make a positive change for bike-ped transportation.

Photo: John Lindenmayer and Rory Neuner accepted the Alliance’s Winning Campaign of the Year award for their work with the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition.

Blog contributed by Alliance intern Adam Levine

Pedestrians in Ann Arbor will no longer have to “play frogger” when crossing the street.

With considerable help and encouragement from the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition, Ann Arbor’s city council unanimously passed an ordinance that will require motorists to stop and yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks.

The WBWC released an accompanying video demonstrating the perils that pedestrians face due to Michigan’s culture of not stopping at crosswalks.

Watch the video below or read more about WBWC here.