From the Healthy Environments Partnership:

Do you have an idea for how to create a more beautiful and physically active environment in your community?

For example, have you ever wanted to plant a community garden, create artwork along a greenway, or host a walk & talk program in your neighborhood to bring policy makers out where residents could share local concerns?

If so, the Greenway Mini-grants can help make it happen!

Mini-grants of up to $1000 are being awarded to community groups developing sustainable projects and activities that 1) engage community residents, 2) build local ownership of the greenways, and 3) create social and physical environments conducive to active living and heart health.

Mini-grants will be awarded to Detroiters working to achieve these goals through creative community-based projects along the Conner Creek Greenway, Brightmoor’s Lyndon Greenway, or the Corktown-Mexicantown Greenway.

For more information about applying for a mini-grant contact: Deedee Varick, Health Educator, 734-615-3956, deedry@umich.edu

Mini-grant application and guidelines available at: www.hepdetroit.org (click on Community Activities)

Application deadline: February 15, 2010

Links: Mini-grant Flyer & Mini-Grant Application

In February, PBS will be debuting a new transportation documentary with a focus on Detroit.

Narrated by Blueprint America correspondent Miles O’Brien, the 90-minute documentary asks whether it is time to fundamentally change the way Detroiters — and by extension all Americans — get around. Detroit is the crucible in which the nation’s ability to move toward a modern 21st century transportation infrastructure is put to the test. The documentary shows how investments in the past — beginning with the construction of canals in the 18th century –profoundly shaped Detroit’s physical layout, population growth and economic development. Before being dubbed the Motor City, Detroit was once home to the nation’s most extensive streetcar system. In fact, it was that vast network of streetcars that carried workers to the area’s many car factories. And it was the cars made in those factories that would soon displace the streetcars in Detroit — and in every major American city.

Detroit’s engineers went on to design the nation’s first urban freeways and inspired much of America’s 20th century transportation infrastructure system — from traffic signals to gas stations — that became the envy of the world.

But over the last 30 years, much of the world has moved on, choosing faster, cleaner, more modern transportation and leaving America — and Detroit — behind…

While this documentary looks interesting, there is some irony in their description. It was streetcars and bicyclists that were eventually displaced from Detroit streets often with the argument that the automobile was a more modern means of transportation.

On the transportation invention timeline, we’re not moving on by choosing bicycles. We’re moving back.

And moving back isn’t always that sexy, which is probably why those post-WWII transportation visions of the future had sleek cars on elevated super-highways and inexplainably-fit peds on moving sidewalks.

The Jetsons didn’t ride bicycles.

Now the Flintstones — they had active transportation (which really doesn’t help explain why Fred and Barney had higher BMIs than George Jetson.)

It seems the WALL-E vision for a transportation future without human-power and is more accurate.

Having recently returned from Washington DC, I can’t help but draw comparisons between the two cities in terms of bike friendliness.

What did I see? Detroit has far more bike friendly streets owing largely to the lower vehicular volumes. Washington DC has far more cyclists, bike lanes, and a bike rental system.

I’m not sure how valuable the rental system was as I walked a dozen miles around town and only saw one station. I saw far more Metro stations.

And speaking of their subway system, it does allow bikes outside of rush hour. DC’s buses also have bus bike racks though I didn’t see any in use. It seems more common to see SMART buses carrying bikes in Detroit.

That said, my unscientific survey did find one commonality between the two cities: most cyclists in both cities are white.

Washington DC has been recognized as a bronze Bike Friendly Community in the League of American Bicyclists program.

While in DC, I did speak with the League staff about recognizing Detroit’s bike friendliness. Their latest application doesn’t reward Detroit’s often excellent bicycle level of service achieved through mininal traffic volumes. Their paradigm is bicycle level of service is a reflection of bicycle infrastructure investments. We did talk about bringing some of their staff to Detroit next summer to gain a first-hand perspective on what we have.

But back to the comparison, DC clearly leads in urban livability, bicycle commuting levels, bicycle infrastructure investment, and more. Even still, I’d rather bike in Detroit.

Google Earth is constantly being improved. One of those recent improvements is downtown Detroit is now in 3D. This includes the Detroit RiverWalk’s Rivard Plaza and carousel.

A few of us on the SketchUp team either have roots in Detroit or grew up there, so we’re especially happy to announce that Detroit, Michigan as been added in 3D to Google Earth. From sports venues like Joe Louis Arena (home of the Red Wings) and Comerica Park (new home of the Tigers), to great watering holes and eateries, like The Old Shillelagh and the legendary Lafayette Coney Island – home of the world’s best 2am coney dog – they are all there in 3D.

Being able to cruise through Detroit in 3D reminds us of how much history this great US city has. We’re excited that users around the world will now be able to discover this city virtually, for themselves.

However, the Dequindre Cut is not yet in 3D. Getting that to happen may require the Google trike, which as far as we know isn’t scheduled to make a Detroit visit.

And here is a 3D video flyover of Detroit.

[SketchUp Team, The next time you’re in town, we’ll take you on a . Virtual tours are cool, but…]

The Detroit Free Press is reporting on a bicycle giveaway this December 20th.

Greater Grace Temple, Happy’s Pizza and Blue Cross Blue Shield plan to bring smiles to nearly 200 youngsters this year with its Bicycle Christmas’ giveaway.

“For many people, one of their fondest childhood memories was to receive a brand new bicycle on Christmas morning,” Senior Pastor Bishop Charles Ellis III said in a statement.

“We want to do something to help those youngsters whose families are hit hard by this economy and could face having little or nothing under the tree on Christmas Day.”

Parents must fill out the applications which will be available starting tomorrow (Monday) at 10am at the Greater Grace Temple at 23500 W. Seven Mile Road in Detroit.