From the Hub of Detroit web site:

Detroit-based cycling non-profit seeks motivated and qualified high school-age youth (14-18 years old) to enroll in our Mechanic-in-Training apprenticeship program. Duties include assisting with the Youth Earn-a-Bike program, organizing and cleaning the shop space, basic bicycle assembly and repair. The length of the apprenticeship is 10 weeks.

The Hub of Detroit is a Cass Corridor-based non-profit organization that provides cycling education and services to the local community, including a free bicycle program for youth as well as coordination with area schools and charitable institutions.

Responsibilities

• Assisting with the Youth Earn-a-Bike program
• General shop cleanliness and organization
• Assisting shop manager with incidental operations, including basic bicycle repair and assembly

Position Requirements

• Successful candidates will have previous experience in the following areas:
• Customer service
• Bicycle repair
• Working with elementary- and middle school-age youth

In addition, the following skills and experiences are also desirable:

• Professional attitude and teamwork ethic
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Hustle

Please submit a resume in person or via email (shop@thehubofdetroit.org) to the Hub of Detroit by June 11th

The Hub of Detroit is located at 3611 Cass Avenue in Detroit. Their phone number is (313) 879-5073.

It’s very difficult to explain just how bike friendly the city of Detroit is unless you’ve ridden there.

However, this recent photo really shows some of that friendliness. This is Second Avenue looking north from the Cass Corridor, less than a mile north of the central business district. Five lanes, one-way, and a 2,200 cars per day (as of 2003). That’s 1.5 cars per minute spread over five lanes.

Yes, this is one of the best case road scenarios in Detroit, but there are others just like it: Third, John R, Brush, Rosa Parks, etc. With the expressways pulling away the motorized traffic, urban flight, and the removal of the street car tracks, we’ve got plenty of room to ride.

We should also mention that the city of Detroit is planning on making Second Avenue as well as Third back into two-way streets — with bike lanes. It’ll arguably more bike friendly and convenient for those traveling south. As fun as it is to bike the current configuration, it the city’s plan make plenty of sense.

This week’s Metro Times produced a very comprehensive look at the state of cycling within the city of Detroit. It’s a must read.

If you’re live in or near Detroit, this will hopefully motivate you to get on that bike and ride in Detroit.

If you’re a suburban cyclist, perhaps you could drop a copy on your city manager’s or county executive’s desk with a note, “If Detroit can do it…”

The article is superbly quotable, but one of our favorites includes quotes from Tom Woiwode of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which has invested millions into greenways throughout Southeast Michigan.

“The city has really embraced the idea of investing heavily in nonmotorized transportation, and it’s been a terrific transition.”

What? Detroit outpacing the suburbs in a civic improvement? Woiwode responds with an emphatic “Yes.”

You may want to highlight that in yellow marker for your city manager and county exec. It seems many of the cities, townships, and counties think they’re doing plenty for bike friendliness when the reality is much different.

In addition, this Metro Times includes articles called Bike seat conversations and Reading in gear.

Sandra Svoboda, the author of these articles, was also on WDET’s Craig Fahle show. That’s available via podcast. Sandra’s interview begins at 1:34.

Let’s Save Michigan

Bike to Work day received some coverage on the Let’s Save Michigan web site, hosted by the Michigan Municipal League.

It was great to see so many people, despite the less than perfect weather, bike to work or wherever they were going and prove that Michigan’s roads aren’t just for cars. Once we start designing our transportation system to accommodate users beyond cars, we’ll be able to develop the more walkable and desirable communities that people want to live, work and play in.

The Let’s Save Michigan campaign is teaming up with the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition to move forward to policy that will help develop the state policies that will develop a better, safer and more accommodating transportation system for Michigan. The Coalition includes groups such as AARP, the League of Michigan Bicyclists, and the Michigan Environmental Council.

The web site includes many photos from events around the state.

The 10 Things You MUST Do

Metromode has a list of The 10 Things You MUST Do Outside In Metro Detroit This Summer. Riding with Ferndale’s Defying the Law Bike Club made the list.

If Marlon Brando in The Wild One got sick of motorcycles, got a bike and developed a taste for garage sales and microbrews, he would so be in this club. It’s a cool mix of professionals, students, blue collar, and artsy types who meet up in Ferndale every Saturday to bike around and see what they can find going on or going down, whatever the case may be.

Worried you’re not exactly in shape for a bike club? No worries. “If anyone wants to ride, they just have to show up,” says Mike Kawamoto of Berkley, who has been a member of the group for three years. “It’s usually a pretty casual-paced ride.”

Ford to measure suppliers’ carbon footprints

The Detroit News is reporting on Ford’s recent announcement as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon emissions by 30% by 2020.

And although it doesn’t mention biking to work, that is one strategy for reducing a company’s carbon footprint.

Ford Motor Co. said today it will begin surveying its largest suppliers to find out how much energy they use and how much greenhouse gases they emit.

It’s part of a broader effort to reduce the carbon footprint of Ford’s global automobile manufacturing operations.

The Dearborn automaker said it ultimately plans to use the data to establish carbon-reduction goals for its suppliers.

“Suppliers play an important role as we look to reduce our overall carbon footprint and drive more efficiency in an energy constrained world,” said Tony Brown, Ford group vice president in charge of global purchasing.

Of course, we would prefer they “bike more efficiency” rather than drive, but it is Ford.

House Bills 6151 and 6152 were introduced in the Michigan House recently. The first requires that anyone receiving state or federal road funding must have a Complete Streets policy. The second makes Complete Streets, non-motorized transportation, and traffic calming required components of every Michigan community’s planning efforts.

The Detroit Free Press reported:

For too long, supporters say, Michigan has emphasized automobiles at the expense of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, seniors and people with disabilities. They’re calling for the state to join a Complete Streets movement that takes into account non-motorized and other forms of transportation when streets are built or repaired.

The aim is to devote more planning and resources to improve sidewalks, add bike lanes and paths, upgrade transit stops and address other measures to serve people who don’t drive.

A secondary goal is to encourage more walking and biking.

From a non-motorized view point, this legislation would absolutely turn Michigan around, put us in lockstep with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, and make our streets much more welcoming to all cyclists.

Of course, bills change. It’s possible that these requirements could be weakened into suggestions and that would be a shame.

House Transportation Committee

Last Thursday, both bills were taken up by the House Transportation Committee before a standing room only crowd of supporters. The Michigan Complete Streets Coalition has excellent coverage on this initial hearing. Among those providing testimony, John Waterman from PEAC and his group stood out. Their message was Complete Streets provide greater independence for many of the physically challenged children and adults.

Two groups’ opposition were noted: the Road Commissions for Oakland County and Macomb County. That wasn’t a surprise.

What can you do? Please contact your State Representative and Senator to let them know you support Complete Streets and these bills. The Michigan Complete Streets web site makes this easy.

A second hearing is tentatively planned for June 10th.

Complete Streets Resolution

The Transportation Committee did unanimously report out House Resolution 187 (and its companion, House Concurrent Resolution 34.) These resolutions “…urge county and local road agencies with the construction or reconstruction of transportation facilities to act in accordance with Complete Streets, Context Sensitive Solutions, and Safe Routes to School principles.”

Here is the complete resolution:

Read the rest of this entry »