m-bike.org

Author: Todd Scott

  • Two more Bicycle Friendly Business awards in Detroit

    Via the Hub of Detroit

    The League of American Bicyclists recently recognized the Wheelhouse Detroit and OminCorpDetroit for being Bicycle Friendly Businesses. Both were given Bronze awards and join the Hub of Detroit, who received a Gold award last year.

    Detroit now has three recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses of the seven in Michigan. Nationally, Detroit is now tied with cities like Austin and Boulder, but notably behind the leading cities like Portland and Minneapolis.

    Businesses in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park that are interested in knowing more about this program can contact the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA). MTGA can provide training and assist with the application.

    Having recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses also helps cities earn Bicycle Friendly Communities awards. Applying for such as award was discussed at the last Detroit Non-motorized External Task Force meeting. The city is interested in applying once some additional bicycle infrastructure projects are completed.

  • Complete Streets community workshop in Detroit

    The Detroit Health and Wellness Promotion Department along with the Detroit Complete Streets Coalition are hosting a community workshop on March 31st from 6pm until 8pm. It will be held at the Gaelic League on Michigan Avenue in Corktown.

    This workshop is on Complete Streets and how they can improve walking, biking, and public transportation in Detroit. Richard Wooten from MSU-Extension will give an overview of Complete Streets, what they look like and how they benefit everyone.

    Slows BBQ is catering this event.

    Please RSVP by Friday, March 25th, 2011 by emailing Myra at tettehm@detroitmi.gov or 313.870.0637.

    The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance has also created a Detroit-specific Complete Streets page. It discusses the benefits of having Complete Streets in Detroit and provides some basic steps you can take to show your support.

  • Detroit light rail comments due today

    Curb running trains and tracks aren't safe for bicyclists on Woodward

    The city of Detroit is collecting comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed light rail project on Woodward. Those comments are due today, March 14th.

    The DEIS is large, technical, and not always fun to read. It does provide three alternatives. One difference between the three is where the tracks would be located on Woodward south of Grand Boulevard: in the center or at the curbs.

    We agree with the DEIS assessment that the curb-running alignment would have a negative impact on bicycling. For that and other reasons, we support Alternative A1 with median running light rail for the entire route.

    This amazing video from Transport Michigan also supports median running. This video has gone viral as we’ve received it from a number of different sources.

    Some other thoughts we had:

    • Adding a two-way cycle track on the east side of Woodward that connected Ferndale’s existing Hilton bike lanes to the proposed park and ride just north of the State Fairgrounds.
    • Adding bike lanes or cycle tracks on Woodward from McNichols to Eight Mile. Woodward is unnecessarily wide and could be road dieted.
    • Adding sharrows where bike lanes cannot be added.
    • Improve the parallel streets for bicycling (Second, Third, Brush, John R) by adding bike lanes/sharrows and by making them two-way for their entire length.
    • Allowing bikes to roll on to the trains.
    • Having bike parking (preferably covered) at the transit stations.
    • Consider future implementation of a public bike sharing system located at the transit stops.

    To make comments, send an email to woodwardlightrail@detroitmi.gov.


  • More on Novi: Improving biking and walking

    Market Street's green bike lane (Photo by SFGate)

    While at the National Bike Summit, Leah Shahum the Executive Director for the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition shared an interesting story. After showing a photo of bicycle lanes on Market Street, she mentioned that Twitter was relocating their offices to this street and requested more of these bike lanes. They wanted to make it easier for their employees to bike to work.

    In another session, it was noted that employee health insurance is lower in states with healthier employees. Getting more employees to walk and bike can reduce the cost of doing business.

    And with that, the Observer and Eccentric published an article on Novi’s new non-motorized transportation plan.

    It seemed fitting that as gas prices in metro Detroit approach $4 per gallon, the city of Novi moved forward with approval of its first non-motorized master plan.

    Norm Cox, president of The Greenway Collaborative, which was the lead designer on the plan, said it is going to be years before the system is complete, but when done will change how people travel in the city.

    “We think you will have a multi-faceted non-motorized system, one that works for the whole range of citizens and their preferences as to how they want to bike and walk around,” he said. “It will make a noticeable change in the quality of life for residents.”

    And while Twitter might not relocate to Novi, some other tech firms just might — and having a more walkable and bikeable city is definitely a selling point.

  • Detroit Green jobs: Summer crew leaders

    Below are job openings with the SCA, a group that has been instrumental in building and improving the bike/hike trails at Detroit’s Rouge Park:

    Detroit Community Crew Programs

    You can make a difference this summer! Here’s your chance to be part of a program that promotes youth leadership and conservation! The Student Conservation Association is a dynamic, nonprofit national organization which encourages and supports youth in service to the environment. The SCA is currently accepting applications for Crew Leader positions with our 2011 Detroit Community Program.

    Responsibilities: Co-lead, mentor and coach a crew of 10 students, ages 15-18, while completing various conservation service projects designed to build an ethic of community and environmental stewardship. Projects include trail and park maintenance, habitat restoration, neighborhood green space revitalization and urban agriculture. In addition, leaders will facilitate pre and post-program planning which includes crew training, environmental education and reporting. Program dates are July 11 – August 19. Mandatory, all expenses paid, residential training dates are June 1-10 (possible alternate dates).

    Compensation: up to $3795 total salary depending on experience and crew length.

    Qualifications: Be at least 21 years old; able to legally work in the US; have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record; First Aid/CPR certification, experience working with youth or young adults (ages 14-18); experience as a teacher or leader in an educational environment; experience with conservation or related skills, familiarity with and passion for the Detroit community.

    How to apply: Send a cover letter and resume to the Detroit Program Manager at scadetroit@thesca.org. Please direct questions to scadetroit@thesca.org or 313.285.1247. Crew leaders are hired on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.