Detroit Bike Riders United's Ron Scott

Yesterday was the Detroit Bike Riders United’s Cycling Awareness Ride from Eastern Market to Hart Plaza. Both the weather and turnout were great.

A big thanks goes out to all who participated, and special thanks to Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings and State Senator Martha Scott. Other groups in attendance included the MIchigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, League of Michigan Bicyclists, Back Alley Bikes/The Hub, Detroit Freewheelers, and Sisters Cycling, just to name a few.

Slideshow of photos

So what made this a milestone? The last couple weeks are the first time in a long time that Detroit cyclists have spoke in a collective voice for better biking laws and facilities within the City. According to Kathryn Underwood of the Detroit City Planning Commission, it is the cyclists’ voice that really helped push Chicago to become more bike friendly. Detroit can do the same.

In case you missed it yesteday, Ron and Tawanna from Bike Riders United joined Craig Fahle on WDET’s Detroit Today. An MP3 of the show is on-line and the bike segment begins at the midpoint.

Recently, a group of cyclist/activist joined together to successfully challenge the enforcement of a 44 year old Detroit city ordinance, which would have a $55 fine. For those cyclists who failed to registrar their bikes by August 7, 2008. After testimonies with Detroit City Council and Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, the group was successful in stopping the enactment of the ordinance. They’ve also gained assurance and formed a co-operant effort with Detroit City Council to create a new ordinance which will be drafted by cyclists which is more bikes friendly. Tawanna Simpson and Ron Scott from Detroit Bike Riders United join us. Looking for a bike, or a place to fix yours? The Hub is open . Its Midtown’s new non-profit bike shop and eductation center!

The Detroit Bike Rider United have a great ride planned for this Friday, August 1st at 12:30 PM. We hope to see plenty of cyclists show their support for bicycling in the city. While this ride was originally planned to protest the City’s bicycle license enforcement, it now is more of a celebration since the ordinance is being repealed and not enforced.

This ride is in memory of Yale Njoma Miller.

Here are the details!

Help Make Detroit A Bicycle Friendly Green City!

• Learn what you need to know to ride safely
• How Detroits Bicycle ordinance effects you
• Support Detroit’s non-motorized plan
• Learn about the Greening of Detroit
• Refreshments and giveaways

Organized by Detroit Bike Riders United and supported by The League of Michigan Bicyclists, The Boll Family YMCA, Thedetroiter.com, Zaccaro’s, Starbuck’s, The Wheel House, The Wolverine Sports Club, Back Alley Bikes, Michigan Trails & Greenways, Tour de Troit, Avalon Bakery, Continental Bikes, Jimmies Bikes, Bike Tech, Detroit Summer and many others

The Ride starts across the street from Bert’s Market Place, 2727 Russell St. in Eastern Market and ends at Ford Auditorium directly across the street from the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. Tour de Troit has mapped out a brief route that will allow exploration of some of Detroit’s interesting downtown areas.

For further information call 313-422-3617 or 313-587-4666

Bike registration law rolls toward repeal

A Back Alley Bikes/Trips for Kids Detroit ride through Downtown

Detroit’s Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee wants to put the brakes on enforcing the bicycle licensing program. During today’s public hearing, the Committee heard many perspectives from the police and public.

Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel motioned for removing all of the current bike licensing language. She wants to meet with the police and stakeholder groups (including cyclists) during the Council’s August recess to develop new bicycle ordinance language that makes sense.

There was perhaps a three dozen cyclists in attendance, most of whom provided public comment in support of the motion. Some cyclists in the audience had already received tickets for riding a bicycle without a license. One cyclist had also received a ticket for not having a bell or horn on their bike — another Detroit ordinance.

Perhaps the best quote of the day was from Bike Riders United’s Ron Scott. Scott invited the police to “Get on the bike with us and ride in the same direction.”

The Committee motion was approved and will be voted on by the entire Council tomorrow.

Media Coverage

• Council committee backs repeal of bike ordinance, Detroit Free Press
• Detroit council moves to repeal bike registration fines, Detroit News
• Bike registration law rolls toward repeal, Detroit News

Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee is holding a public hearing to remove the Detroit bike license requirement. That meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 28th at 10:30 AM at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (Jefferson at Woodward.) Please plan on arriving prior to 10 AM to avoid disturbing the Committee meeting.

We certainly could use some Detroit residents at this hearing to voice their support for this change.

The hope is that Council and Mayor can remove the required licensing prior to their August recess. During that recess we will work with Council and others to look at alternative ordinance language that would still allow police to identify and return stolen bikes without heavy fines for those cyclists who are unlicensed.

The City Council members at yesterday’s Public Health and Safety Committee meeting expressed support for biking in Detroit. Council President Ken Cockrel commented that he rides 3-4 times a week. He rightfully noted that unswept streets with broken glass is one issue he faces during his rides.

Overall it was a great discussion and it certainly seems we are making lemonade from the original lemon.