First bike lane moves Sterling Heights toward a multimodal transportation approach
A more multimodal way of thinking in transportation has led Sterling Heights, Mich., to implement its first bike lane along a 2.3-mile stretch of Plumbrook Road.
This accomplishes two primary city objectives in making the roads safer for all methods of transportation and slowing down traffic along the roads. The city’s ability to create these bike lanes as ways to connect various parts of the community is an additional benefit. This complete streets mindset, considering all modes of transportation, will continue with future street projects.
The city had been considering a street project that included a bike lane, and the Plumbrook Road project was the perfect fit since it already tied into many of the existing bike trail systems as well as many neighborhoods and schools. The bike lane will also connect with a new trail that is over 3 miles long with an extension coming this year. Lane width along the road was reduced to promote slower traffic. Bare areas of the road were taken into account, and the city utilized a greenscape initiative to implement over 100 tree plantings.
The Plumbrook Road project was perfect for the bike lane pilot since it was relatively inexpensive. According to Brent Bashaw, Sterling Heights city engineer, “We did a road diet and reallocated lanes instead of adding sidewalk. We could reduce the center turn lane in some areas and add in bike lanes.”
The city received a federal grant to study traffic calming throughout the city. Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act helped Sterling Heights create a list of projects, and this pilot project for the city’s first bike lane was included. In 2022, the city entered the design phase. The majority of the roadwork was done in 2023 while coordinating with school schedules and community events for construction. The street striping and unveiling of the bike lane was complete in 2024.
Since it is the city’s first bike lane, the safety and comfort of users was one of the highest priorities. A buffer zone was added in some areas between the drive lane and bike lane. Delineators were also added along the entire route to make new users as comfortable as possible when driving on the road. Green pavement striping was used to draw attention to intersections.
“It’s not required, but we wanted to go above and beyond to increase the safety and comfort of the bike lanes,” Bashaw emphasized.
Data was taken before and after the Plumbrook Road project, and after completion, car speeds were lowered by an average of 2 mph and there was a significant reduction in the number of vehicles traveling at excessive speeds.
“These types of amenities in communities are invaluable and residents are beginning to expect them,” Mark Vanderpool, Sterling Heights city manager, commented. “Even though it’s our first bike lane in the city, it was done in a very thoughtful way to ensure residents were comfortable. It also achieves multiple objectives to provide safe bike lanes and slow down traffic on that road.”
These projects help to bridge gaps in the community for those who want to use various modes of transportation, besides just cars, so that the roads are safe for all users. Sidewalks were added near Henry Ford High School, allowing pedestrians to get over the M-53 freeway for the first time.
“One of our guiding principles is to ensure the city is connected and inclusive,” he stressed.
While the city has received some complaints and concerns regarding the lane width reduction and slower traffic, it also shows that these projects are achieving the city’s objective. One concern was removing the bike lane delineators for winter due to potential plowing issues. The city has taken that into account and removed them for the winter months. Otherwise, reviews for the new bike lane have been very positive.
In order to care for the city’s current population as well as attract vibrant new residents, the city must ensure the community’s quality of life amenities are being taken into account, such as splash pads, trails and walkways, an ice rink and a skate park. An upcoming project includes Clinton River Road, which is entering the scoping and design phase, and the city will take into account the same types of amenities as the Plumbrook Road project. Since it also has many parks and walkways along that stretch of road, the city will be considering this as a possible second location for bike lanes.
The Plumbrook Road bike lane helped to make the road safer for all modes of transportation while also working to slow down traffic in that area. This project also involved a greenscape initiative with over 100 tree plantings. (Photos provided by the city of Sterling Heights, Mich.) In order to increase the safety and comfort for all users, the city included buffer zones in some areas and delineators along the entire route. These delineators are then removed during the winter months to allow for plowing. (Photos provided by the city of Sterling Heights, Mich.) In 2024, Sterling Heights, Mich., completed its first ever bike lane along a 2.3 mile stretch of Plumbrook Road. These bike lanes tie in with many existing trail systems, neighborhoods and schools. It made for the perfect pilot since the city was able to inexpensively reallocate lanes. (Photos provided by the city of Sterling Heights, Mich.) 
The city used green pavement striping to indicate intersections to bikers, such as the marking outside the entrance to Davis Junior High. This helps draw the biker’s attention and alerts the biker to play closer attention in these areas. (Photos provided by the city of Sterling Heights, Mich.)
