LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Construction on Michigan Avenue is finished for the season and cyclists can use the brand new bike lanes, but cyclists are calling it dangerous and poorly designed.

“Four times I had to go out on the street to avoid cars, it cost $14.1 million and we didn’t have a bike lane? You’re joking I hope?” said David Ellis.

Three of six phases are complete and Michigan Ave is back open after construction began earlier this year. The State Capitol’s front gate boasts a new pedestrian sidewalk and “bike lane.” Lansing is spending about $14 million for the entire rebuild, which is expected to be done near the end of 2025.

“We ended up with a wide sidewalk. The advice you get from the cycling community is don’t ride on the sidewalk,” Mike Dombrowski said.

Cycling advocates have been calling for bike lanes for years, but since seeing the plan and the final results, they haven’t been too happy about it.

“I feel like they made mistakes. I have a feeling they’re going to point to this and say we’ve created cycling infrastructure, but no one is using it, so we don’t need to create any more. It’s not good work,” Dombrowski said.

Civil Service Director Andy Kilpatrick says everyone just needs to be patient.

“Wait until the project is finished, so it’s not finished…again, we’re balancing the needs of cyclists with the needs of pedestrians, trucks, parking, buses and everything else, so, yeah, they may not think it’s the perfect setup, but we try to balance everyone’s interests as best we can,” Kilpatrick said.

Kilpatrick says he is aware of the concerns, but it is a work in progress as markers on the roadway will not be possible due to weather conditions.

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