Royal Oak is #1 for bike-car crashes

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Royal Oak had the most bike-car crashes among all Oakland County municipalities in 2007

As noted earlier, last year Royal Oak had more reported car-bike crashes than any other city, village, or township in Oakland County. In fact no one even came close.

We’ve now mapped those crashes so you can get a rough idea of where they happened.

For many years now we’ve been trying to push Royal Oak to improve biking within the city. Neither city officials nor commissioners seem all that interested in taking any meaningful action.

Most recently I’d arranged a deal that would bring Dan Burden, one of the nation’s foremost biking and walking experts to Royal Oak for consultation on MDOT’s dime. I even offered to complete the necessary paperwork.

Weeks later, my calls and email are still unanswered.

This free opportunity to get start improving biking and walking safety in Royal Oak has passed.

It’s time to move on to Plan B. Stay tuned.

Royal Oak Safety

Comments

9 responses to “Royal Oak is #1 for bike-car crashes”

September 2, 2008

JC

As a Royal Oak resident, this hits a bit close to home. I dread riding on even the less-traversed roads, such as Washington Blvd., Normandy Blvd., because of the lack of bike-friendly routes and uninformed drivers. I tend to get the most hostilities and near-misses in my hometown as well… that observation didn’t just come to me because of this entry, but I’ve definitely noticed it over the past couple of years.

If there’s anything that the residents can do to help out with your existing efforts, please let us know.
September 2, 2008

dea

Looks like most of the crashes occurred on the busy arteries of Royal Oak… personally, I’d have to be on some serious drugs to bike down Woodward. Even in Detroit I avoid Woodward like the plague… but unfortunately, it’s so damn convenient! Just looking at that map alone, there are no straight routes through suburbia — so in order to commute you are stuck with no bike lanes on congested streets.

Maybe an Op Ed to the local paper is in order?
September 2, 2008

Todd Scott

An Op Ed is a good idea.

There are safer routes through Royal Oak, but they are not straight or easy to follow as noted. I met some new Royal Oak cyclists at Arts, Beats, and Eats this weekend. I couldn’t begin to explain all the twists and turns on side streets to get from one part of town to the other. Bike lanes are easy to follow and direct. It’s easier for cyclists to get around… and safely.

I hope to have an on-line petition up and running soon. I’ll post when it’s ready.
September 2, 2008

mister g

following the links and tags, a post mentioned troy was #2. Would It be possible to get information on the crashes? I’m a resident and seam to be doing more urban riding then trail riding this year. In my local, there are no continious north-south paths. If I am going to be contacting my community’s commisions/councils it would be good to have some data.
September 3, 2008

Todd Scott

I will put together a map of Troy bike crashes as well. Note that the Troy Trails and Pathways Committee has a meeting tonight, Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 7:30pm in Room 303 at the Ccommunity Center. The meeting is open to all.
September 3, 2008

mister g

sweet! I have library books to return as well. Make it a twofer trip.
If i attend, I promise to shave and be on my best behavior.
September 3, 2008

Todd Scott

I just posted the Troy crash map at http://www.m-bike.org.
September 25, 2008

Robert Herriman

Yikes!!! I ride through about half of those flagged locations on a weekly basis. Seriously! Thanks for the info.
November 8, 2008

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