m-bike.org

Category: General bike news

  • Talking about Windsor Biking

    There’s a lot going on in Windsor, Ontario with respect to biking.  Despite being just across the Detroit River, there hasn’t been much interaction and exchange between bike advocates and even bicyclists — that should change in the future.

    But first, lets begin by highlighting some Windsor stories on biking that have come up during the past couple months.

    To begin with, a recent Windsor Star newspaper article spoke of efforts to improve biking on Riverside Drive:

    Windsor has rolled a little closer to the longtime but controversial goal of having a bike path stretch from the Ambassador Bridge to the east end’s Ganatchio Trail.

    A recent ruling by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment allows the city to widen parts of Riverside Drive — against the wishes of some residents — in order to create an unbroken bike path along 16 kilometres of waterfront.

    The Windsor Star even printed an opinion piece in support.

    One of the biggest supporters for biking in Windsor right now is Councilor Alan Halberstadt.

    Mr. Halberstadt was also involved in a flap over ticketing cyclists that ride on sidewalks (and endanger pedestrians.)  One problem is some streets are not properly designed for bicyclists and high-speed, high-vehicular traffic counts. As a result, many cyclists feel forced to use sidewalks.

    One such example is Windsor’s Tecumseh Road.  A cyclist challenged him to ride Tecumseh during rush hour to eyewitness the problem and he did.

    Their two-wheeled adventure took about 15 minutes. More than once the much faster motorists were hitting the brakes as they slowed behind the cycling duo. Some impatient drivers farther down the line even hit the horn before darting out into the other lane. Graber said he wanted the councillor to experience what cyclists go through every day.

    “So he could have more insight when he’s making decisions,” said Graber, who rides 15 kilometres to work each day. “I gotta take my hat off to him. He really stepped up. He was out there and a city bus came within two feet of him, so I really have to give him credit.”

    Halberstadt said his ride, while hair-rising at times, hasn’t changed his outlook.

    “Not really,” said Halberstadt. “I’ve been saying for 10 or 12 years, since I’ve been council, that we need to improve our cycling network. If the attention this has brought helps move this along, then I’m thrilled.”

    And if you’re really interested, there’s a video of this ride as well.

    Windsor Star also ran an editorial Bike Paths would Boost our Quality of Life.  It was great to read except it didn’t mention Detroit and our biking efforts.

    Expect that to change.

    NEXT UP: Getting bicyclists across the border

  • Gleaners Ride on December 13th

    This time of year, it can be difficult finding a good reason to brave the weather and ride your bike.

    Here’s a good reason.

    Next Saturday is a ride to benefit the Gleaner’s Food Bank in Detroit.  The ride starts at noon from The Hub (3611 Cass Avenue in Detroit).  We’ll ride around to several local grocery stores and buy non-perishable can goods.  You’ll need to bring about $10 to $15 and a bag to carry the cans.

    Last year’s Gleaners ride was a great time despite the rain.

    And don’t forget that the nearby Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Earthworks program is looking for donated tools, especially bike tools.  This might be a good opportunity to double your donations.

  • Woodward Ghost Bike Removed

    The ghost bike on Woodward in Royal Oak has been removed — and for the right reasons.

    The removal was not unexpected.  Royal Oak Police expressed interest in keeping it there in hopes that it would help with their investigation.  It could serve as a reminder to driver’s with additional helpful information to contact the police.

    Now that the investigation has led to an arrest, that reminder is no longer needed.

    However, the Bank of America (where the ghost bike was located) is still collecting monetary donations to a fund for the victim’s two boys.  Donations should 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.

  • Arraignment made in Ghost Bike Crash

    The Free Press is reporting the arraignment in the ghost bike hit-and-run crash from back in September:

    Kimberly Dancy, 44, was arraigned Monday for leaving an at-fault accident that caused death — a 15-year felony. She also faces a charge of malicious property destruction, a two-year-felony, stemming from a collision in a drugstore parking lot that police say Dancy caused a few hours after striking the cyclist on Sept. 19 at 1:30 a.m.

    But Dancy’s defense attorney said hers is a case of mistaken identity, and that she is a victim of “circumstance and coincidence.”

    According to another report from ClickOnDetroit:

    Prosecutors also cited Darcy’s stained driving record. Darcy was cited in 2002 for driving on a suspended or revoked license and her license was taken away in 2005 for drunken driving. It was reinstated in 2006.

    Judge Terrence Brennan said there was no indication Darcy was driving drunk on the night of the fatal hit-and-run, but he has ordered her to stay away from alcohol and she must not leave the state.

    Bond was set at $20,000 or 10 percent. Darcy posted $2,000 bond and was released.

    ClickonDetroit also posted  on-line video coverage.

    The arraignment was also covered by C&G Newspapers and the Detroit News.

  • More on the Royal Oak Hit-and-Run

    Today’s Free Press has additional coverage of this tragic event, including comments from the victim’s family:

    “I’m glad to see there was an arrest. Now we just have to see how justice turns out,” said Heather Weeks, Robinson’s cousin. “You have to wonder because you’d think a normal person would stop even to help an animal.”

    The victim’s cousin said the arrest brings a measure of relief but no closure.

    “We still have two little kids who are going to have Christmas without their mom,” Weeks said.

    Reminder: 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.

    ClickonDetroit also has an article on-line along with this older, but well-done video coverage. It’s clear that the victim’s family and Royal Oak Police are supportive of the ghost bike since it memorializes Ms. Robinson and may have helped in the investigation.

    The video image of her bike clearly showed a very damaged rear wheel and an undamaged front wheel. This appears to confirm the police report that she was traveling north on Woodward and was struck from behind.