Museum High students present bike, bus and pedestrian safety proposals; city staff point to planned crossing upgrades

Sixty students from Grand Rapids Public Museum High School presented transportation research and proposals to the Mobile GR Commission on March 6, urging safer bicycle infrastructure, better bus-safety measures and upgrades to crosswalks and pedestrian space near their downtown campus.

The presentations, organized by the school’s science teacher Katie, included six student teams that surveyed classmates, reviewed local data and proposed practical interventions. Student findings and proposals ranged from adding raised or protected bike lanes and physical barriers between vehicles and bicyclists to posting bus-safety protocols, expanding emergency call features at busy stops and creating a temporary pedestrian zone on Washington Avenue in front of the school.

Bike infrastructure: A three-student team (Connor, Mac and Edgar) surveyed about 74 classmates and found mixed experiences. Respondents noted good recreational routes such as Kent Trails and Millennium Park but described on-street biking in the city as “dangerous” where bike lanes are missing or drivers do not respect them. The students proposed more raised bike lanes, concrete barriers and “rubble” (buffer) strips to increase separation between bicycles and vehicle lanes.

Bus safety: A student team led by Talia Rodriguez and classmates used the Mobile GR app and an in-school survey to ask how safe riders feel on the bus. The results showed a split: some frequent riders reported feeling safe, while others — especially respondents who identified as female or who had past trauma — reported feeling vulnerable. The students recommended posted safety protocols for riders (know exits, report hazards, travel with a buddy), more outreach and training for first-time riders, improved signage at stops and expanded use of emergency push-to-talk devices where feasible.

Grand Rapids Rapid (transit) staff and Mobile GR representatives acknowledged the concerns. Mobile GR staff said Rapid offers rider training for groups or individuals and encouraged riders to report safety concerns to drivers. Rapid representatives also noted training and safety resources exist for drivers and riders.

Pedestrian safety and schoolfront proposals: Several student teams focused on pedestrian safety on Jefferson and Washington avenues adjacent to the Museum High campus. One group conducted speed counts from the crosswalk near the school and recorded peak vehicle speeds up to 38 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone. Students proposed rapid flashing beacons, curb extensions, raised crosswalks, larger visibility signage, speed bumps, narrowed lanes and repairs to sidewalk ramps.

John Bartlett, the city transportation engineer, told the commission the city will construct several of the students’ requested features this summer. “The main crossing directly across from your school will be getting a rapid flashing beacon,” Bartlett said, and the project will also add curb extensions and lane-narrowing at nearby crossings to improve pedestrian visibility and shorten crossing distances.

Pedestrian zone proposals: Multiple student teams proposed temporary closures or “tactical urbanism” pilots to create pedestrian-only space in front of the school on Washington Avenue for play and supervised activity during school hours. Students suggested removable barriers (planters or Jersey barriers), artwork and short-term programming. One team reported outreach to the adjacent AR (archive) building; students said the archive raised concerns about access to a private parking driveway and waste collection, which the students plan to address in follow-up conversations.

Funding and next steps: Students said they are pursuing a Safe Routes to School grant and that one student who attended the mayor’s youth council obtained a letter of support from Commissioner David LeGrand. City staff expressed interest in piloting temporary barriers that could be moved for bus pickup and drop-off and indicated they would continue working with the school’s teacher and students to refine a pilot.

Mobile GR updates also included transit performance figures: staff noted the Dash circulator’s year-over-year ridership gains since seven-day service launched and a decline in cost per passenger as ridership increased.

Ending: Commissioners praised the students’ work and staff encouraged continued engagement. Bartlett said the built improvements will be visible when school resumes in the fall and Mobile GR staff offered to continue coordinating on tactical pilot designs.