m-bike.org

Author: Todd Scott

  • Donations sought for Community Bike Shop

    The Earthworks Urban Farm (a program of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen) is starting a community bike shop on Detroit’s lower eastside.  This shop would be where Soup Kitchen guests and community members could build and repair their bikes.

    However, they need tools for this shop.

    If you have any of the following you wish to donate, please contact Patrick (313.579.2100 Ext. 204.)

    • metric and english box wrenches
    • adjustable crescent wrenches
    • allen wrenches
    • regular and needle nose  pliers
    • screw drivers of various sizes
    • socket wrench sets both metric and english sizes
    • vise grips
    • tire levers
    • cone wrenches
    • chain tools – chain breakers and chain whips
    • freewheel removers
    • spoke wrenches
    • a truing stand
    • clamp for a bike stand

    They are also seeking donations to build a work bench:

    • peg board and hooks
    • plywood
    • 2×4’s
    • screws
    • lag bolts (8-10″)
    • rolling casters with locks
    • a level

  • Royal Oak forms a Bicycle Task Force

    First, we must thank all the cyclists that came to Monday’s City Commission meeting.  It was impressive and that made the difference, as noted below.

    And thanks for being patient.  It took more time than expected (and more time than normal) to get to the public comment period.  There’s an old adage that lawmaking is like making sausage.  You don’t want to see how it’s done.  Monday’s meeting was no exception.

    But, once we were able to speak about improving cycling in Royal Oak, the Commission listened and acted.  They modified the evening’s agenda and added a discussion on cycling.

    That discussion led to the creation of a small bicycling task force that will work with the city manager to develop recommendations on how we can improve biking safety in Royal Oak.

    Our task force has already arranged a meeting later this month with Tom Hoover, Royal Oak’s city manager.  The Woodward Avenue Action Association is supportive of our efforts and will participate in this discussion as well.

    There was media coverage of the event by the Detroit News, Daily Tribune, and Mirror.

    I also got a quote in the November Complete Streets e-Newsletter:

    It’s difficult to ride your bike to the zoo when it shouldn’t be.  Royal Oak spends so much on parking.  If we increased the number of people riding bicycles in the city we’d save money.

  • Royal Oak Hit-and-Run Vehicle Found

    The Royal Oak Police have found the Jeep Liberty involved in the hit-and-run accident on Woodward which killed Jacqueline Marie Robinson as she biked to work.

    According to the Royal Oak Review:

    The SUV belonged to a Royal Oak resident and had been already repaired before the department took it in as evidence, O’Donohue said. “(We found the vehicle) through a variety of sources and some really good detective work,” O’Donohue said. “The investigation is continuing. That is all we are really releasing right now.”

    Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Royal Oak police at (248) 246-3515.

    Also, donations can be made in the name of Robinson’s mother, Judith Parent, who is caring for the boys. The address is Bank of America, 28746 Woodward, Royal Oak 48067.

  • Another Dequindre Cut & East Riverfront Community Forum

    Here’s information for an upcoming forum on one of Detroit’s most talked about greenways:

    The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is hosting a Community Forum on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at Friends School at 5:30 p.m.   The October 28th Forum provided an update on the construction of the Dequindre Cut, the Conservancy’s role in the future of the Dequindre Cut and an update on the East Riverfront.

    On November 18th, we want to discuss future programming on the Dequindre Cut and the East Riverfront.  We are inviting the leaders in the community to participate in this discussion.  If know of any community leaders (block club officers, CB Patrols, PTA/LSCO, District Councils) in the near eastside neighborhoods who want to share the thoughts of their constituency or hear our thoughts, please forward the invitation!

    Please RSVP to 313-566-8243 or at rsvp@detroitriverfront.org. Space is limited!

  • Royal Oak Cyclists: Speak up on Monday!

    If you live, work and bike in Royal Oak — we need you on Monday, November 10th at 7:30 PM at City Hall (third floor).

    Royal Oak City Environment Committee, the Sierra Club, and concerned local bicyclists are speaking before City Commission to ask for improved bicycle and pedestrian safety in Royal Oak.  In short we are asking them to develop a non-motorized transportation plan.

    Here are some tips from Tom Regan, who’s down a lot of work getting us to this point:

    We will speak at public comment, which is at the very start of the meeting, so you must be on-time.

    Idea — Bike to the event and carry your bicycle helmet into the meeting. Hold your helmet when you speak at public comment.

    The themes are very simple. You can address any one or more of these points when you speak:

    • Royal Oak can be a dangerous place to ride a bike.
    • All Royal Oak citizens will benefit if Royal Oak becomes a safer place to walk and ride a bike.
    • Royal Oak should write a non-motorized transportation plan as a way to set community goals and reach them in an intelligent and efficient manner.

    Be very brief, or take the whole 5 minutes, or just give your name and address and say “I would like Royal Oak to write a non-motorized transportation plan.” If even that sounds scary just stand next to someone else when they talk and hold your bike helmet!

    The local Sierra Club has jumped into this effort with both feet. They are an extremely well-organized and active chapter, we are very fortunate to have their help. The Royal Oak Environment Committee has also endorsed the effort.

    Please send your letters-to-the-editor now. There will be a sudden drop in letters with the election over, now is a good time to get published. Nothing long or involved is needed, just dash off something quick on how Royal Oak would benefit if it were safer for walking and biking:

    We look forward to seeing some helmets at Monday’s meeting.