This Wednesday we will be participating in green brainstorming sessions at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market.  The details on this session are below in the original press release.

Our plan to briefly discuss where we are with respect to our roads, how we got here, and ideas for bringing better green transportation options to Royal Oak.

Press release:

Royal Oak, MI – The Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board will host a brainstorming session at the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Wednesday, September 17 from 7 to 8:30pm. In an effort to make Royal Oak a more environmentally responsible city, the Environmental Advisory Board encourages Royal Oak citizens to share their ideas at the brainstorm session. Community members will have the opportunity to share their ideas regarding the following topics: recycling, yard waste/compost, air quality, hazardous waste management, energy, water quality, and transportation.

On September 24, the Environmental Advisory Board will set its goals for 2008-2009 using the ideas from the community. For more information, please contact Melissa Damaschke at 248-990-1688.
WHAT: Green Brainstorming Session

WHO: Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board

WHEN: Wednesday, September 17 from 7 to 8:30pm

WHERE: Farmers Market (316 East Eleven Mile Road; Royal Oak)

HOV lane signage on Michigan Avenue

We recently brought up the issue with the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Michigan Avenue.  These HOV lanes were on the right side of the road where cyclists would normally ride.  Did this mean cyclist had to ride in the center lanes?

Fortunately, HOV lanes and their use were not defined in state law.  MDOT worked quickly to change that.  We spoke with MDOT about including an exception for bicycles when the HOV lane is also the right lane, as it is on Michigan Avenue in Detroit.

That legislation (Senate Bill 1462) was introduced on Tuesday and it does include our requested exception:

The restrictions imposed on HOV lanes do not apply to … Bicycles, if the HOV lane is the right-hand lane of a highway open to bicycles.

We certainly encourage anyone to contact their Senator to express their support for this legislation.

UPDATE 9/19/08: A related House and Senate bill has been modified which limits MDOT to having HOV lanes only on Michigan Avenue and only in Detroit.

UPDATE 12/9/08: The Governor signed this bill into law

The good news is the Detroit Non-Motorized Transportation Plan was resoundingly supported by the City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee. It’s expected to go before the entire Council for a final vote next Tuesday.

One common comment was that Detroit needs some positive news during the recent challenges and getting this plan approved and implemented is very positive. Chair Alberta Tinsley-Talabi said that this was a wonderful way to come back from council recess.

During the discussion, Detroit’s Traffic Engineering Department assured councilmembers that they support the Corktown-Mexicantown greenlink project.  The City will apply for the MDOT transportation enhancement grant to get the project built, possibly starting as early as next year.  This project includes many miles of bike lanes throughout the Corktown neighborhood.

Thanks to all who came to the meeting in support of the project.  Our continued appearances before city council shows the community support and helps build further momentum for improved biking and walking in Detroit.

Riders getting their glow sticks on

Last night was the second Motorcity Motorless bike ride out of Royal Oak.  This bi-weekly ride starts at 10 PM on Saturdays in Downtown Royal Oak at Second and Center Streets.

It’s not your typical club ride.

It’s more relaxed. For the most part, riders where normal clothes versus lycra.  Some don’t wear helmets.

But for me, the biggest positive is the ride takes main roads.  Rather than wiggle through neighborhood side streets or take sidewalks, we just take a lane on Main Street, 12 Mile Road, Greenfield, etc. And I’ve talked to many Illinois personal injury lawyers who’ve told me time and again how bad of an idea that is to the bikers.

It was among the safest group rides I’ve ever been on.  We followed the rules of the road better than any group ride I’ve been on.

Why?  Unlike other area rides, we weren’t constantly calling out turns, dealing with parked cars on neighborhood sidestreets, and going through intersections with stop signs.

Were we making a statement about bikes rights to the road?  I don’t know and it really doesn’t matter.

On a related note, this blog entry from Copenhagen talks about some of the signs they have there.

I love this sign. See it all the time. “Cyclists in the driving lane”. It is usually posted when there new segregated bike lanes are being built and the cyclists are redirected into traffic. Don’t worry. It’s not dangerous. We’re used to it, motorists and cyclists alike.

I like the tone. There are cyclists in the driving lane. Period. Adjust accordingly to this fact.

On Monday, September 8th at 11:15 AM, the Detroit City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee will be discussing the Detroit Non-Motorized Transportation Master Plan.  This plan has never been brought before City Council for their approval — a necessary step before groups like MDOT will recognize and help implement the plan.

When: September 8th at 11:15 AM
Where: City Council, 13th floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Jefferson at Woodward

So what does this plan do? As we noted earlier, this plan takes inventory of the many cycling destinations across Detroit, including parks, schools, cultural centers, recreational centers, etc. It looks at how to best connect them with a network of on- and off-road bike facilities — trails, bike lanes and shared signed routes. The plan calls for nearly 400 miles of bikes lanes across the City of Detroit that could be implemented during normal road maintenance by simply re-striping existing roads.

The authors of the plan, Giffels-Webster will be there to give a presentation on it.  Detroit’s Traffic Engineering Division, the city department that is ultimately responsible for implementing this plan will be at the meeting as well.

We need public comment from cyclists, walkers, and other residents to voice their support for this plan!

Note that current changes in city government may affect this meeting time, causing it to be delayed or changed.  If you want to be certain the meeting is still on as scheduled, call the Office of the City Clerk at 313.224.3266.

We hope to see you there.