Bike route circling Monroe County nearly finished
MONROE COUNTY — A 100-mile bicycle route that circles all of Monroe County is almost done. The project has been in the works for three years and involves nearly 300 signs.
The Michigan Cornerstone 100 Bicycle Route connects several Monroe County communities and encompasses local amenities, such as parks, recreation centers and scenery as an effort to make Monroe County a destination for residents and visitors.
Cyclists can begin anywhere on the route and travel as far or as little as desired.
“The entire route is in Monroe County. It traverses the county. The major communities that are connected are: Luna Pier, Bedford, Village of Dundee, Monroe Charter Township, Berlin Charter Township and Frenchtown Charter Township,” said Florence Buchanan, chairperson of the Monroe County Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Panel.
Much of the route follows areas with low traffic volumes.
“However, where traffic volumes are greater and space allows, roadway-paved shoulders are present or proposed,” Buchanan said.
The route was designed by the Monroe Cycling Club and refined by the Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Panel. It was important that the route be 100 miles, Buchanan said.
“Cycling enthusiasts consider a 100-mile Century Ride a major milestone. It is considered a banner of honor,” she said.
Although the route uses already existing roads and shoulders, the project required installing 294 bike route signs along the 100 miles.
“The signs are about 99% installed, as of Friday. We're hoping the few remaining are completed by the end of the month,” said Jeff McBee, director of the human resources department for Monroe County. “The installation began in January of this year.”
The County of Monroe, the project’s lead agency and project fiduciary, requested proposals in September to fabricate and install the signs. Local engineering firm Mannik & Smith Group managed the project. The sign work project was awarded to Poco Sales Inc. of Canton. The cost was $74,000.
Funding came from community partners, including grants and contributions, from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Fund (DALMAC), La-Z-Boy, Inc. and the Monroe Cycling Club.
Several municipalities also contributed to the project, including the townships of Bedford, Berlin, Frenchtown and Monroe; the Village of Dundee; and the City of Luna Pier.
“Bringing this project to completion has been a tremendous collaborative effort,” Buchanan said.
The Michigan Cornerstone 100 Bicycle Route is now open to cyclists.
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“The most use in a single day will come from the participants in the 2024 Cornerstone 100 Lake Erie Bicycle Tour," Buchanan said. That event is planned for Sept. 14. Registration is now open. Early registration is $40 through July 31 and available at mccornerstone100.org.
The goal is 150 riders.
Last year’s inaugural Cornerstone Lake Erie Bicycle Tour drew 105 attendees from this area and as far away as Indiana. Attendees could choose routes of varying length, including the full 100 miles. The Monroe County Tourism Bureau sponsored both years.
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Michael Bosanac, Monroe County administrator and chief financial officer, said the route will help improve quality of life.
“This project is possible due to the vision of the Monroe County Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Panel, the Monroe Cycling Club and the local community partners who wanted to be a part of this recreational initiative,” Bosanac said. “Their strong support provided the foundation of funding from their financial contributions, including the board of commissioners, as the county focuses on quality-of-life projects for citizens and visitors to our communities.”
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bike route circling Monroe County nearly finished
