The League
of American
Bicyclists
has awarded
the City of
Houghton the
Bicycle
Friendly
Community
Silver level
designation
for
2013-2017.
Houghton is
one of only
two cities
in the state
with the
silver
designation
and the only
city in the
U.P. This
award would
not be
possible
without the
dedication
of the Bike
and
Pedestrian
Committee.
To learn
more about
the League
of American
Bicyclists
and the Bike
Friendly
City program
visit:
www.bikeleague.org/community.
Since 2006,
the Houghton
Bike and
Pedestrian
Committee
has been
improving
the
atmosphere
for
bicyclists
and
pedestrians
in the City.
The
committee,
after
soliciting
information
from the
public
through a
survey,
created a
bike plan in
2007. Many
of the
improvements
suggested in
this plan
were
implemented.
In 2010, the
committee
applied for
and received
the bronze
Bike
Friendly
Community
status from
the League
of American
Bicyclists.
In 2013, the
committee
again
solicited
public input
through a
survey and
created the
Non-Motorized
Transportation
Plan of
2013. The
City also
created a
bicycle
signage plan
and safe
routes to
school plan.
The City is
now in the
implementation
stage of
these plans
and hopes to
create a
community
where
non-motorized
transportation
is a safe
and
convenient
option for
people of
all ages.
Trails
The
Michigan
Tech trails
and Nara
Park trails
provide
miles of
wide-track
and
technical
trails for
mountain
biking
enthusiasts
as well as
hikers.
These trails
are linked
to each
other. The
Michigan
Tech trails
are
accessible
from Sharon
Avenue near
the
intersection
with Garnet
Street. The
Nara Park
trails are
accessible
from U.S. 41
near the
Pilgrim
River across
the highway
from the
east
entrance to
the City's
Non-Motorized
Waterfront
Trail. The
MTU Trails
link below
will provide
a map.
Waterfront
Trail
- The City
has a
non-motorized,
paved, trail
that runs
east-west
the entire
length of
the City. It
starts at
the Pilgrim
River on the
east and
follows the
waterfront
to the
Kestner
Waterfront
Park on the
west. The
Recreation
Map link
below will
provide a
map.
Streets and
Sidewalks:
Sharon
Avenue:
There is a
wide
shoulder on
both sides
of Sharon
Avenue for
biking and
walking.
College
Avenue:
There are
wide
sidewalks on
both sides
of College
Avenue that
allow biking
and walking.
Downtown:
For the
safety of
pedestrians
entering and
exiting
shops,
bicycles
must be
walked on
the sidewalk
on Shelden
Avenue.
