Bicycle Friendly Community

Portage, MI | Bronze Level

Community Highlights: Portage has been a leader in the region through a long range plan established over 20 years ago.  This plan helped create an integrated system with 54 miles of shared lanes, 35 miles of bike lanes and 19 miles of non-motorized trails - an extensive system for a community the size of Portage. The plan is careful to include connections to other communities and area-wide cycling facilities.  The City’s Bikeway System is recognized by users from the southwest Michigan region and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as an exemplary system. Portage has an active community that uses and supports the bicycle system - from commuters to recreational bicyclists of all abilities.  Portage is home to many organized and well attended events.  There is an annual bicycle rodeo and Safe Kids Coalition program with local police and hospital groups.  City and local bicycle shops co-sponsor the Fall Bicycle Color Tour in October each year including a 6- and an 11-mile ride offered for all ages. The local bicycle shop staff members provide bicycle inspection and the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club provides helmet fitting. Kal Tour is a summer bicycle tour of Kalamazoo County sponsored by the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club. The tour generally draws 400-500 riders to enjoy the local area. The Kalamzoo Bicycle Club offers an annual "Bike Camp" program for 6 Saturday morning sessions in the spring of each year.