m-bike.org » Bike Riders United http://www.m-bike.org/blog Promoting non-motorized transportation in the Motor City Tue, 15 May 2012 12:06:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Detroit Cyclists Ride to New Milestone http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/08/02/detroit-cyclists-ride-to-new-milestone/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/08/02/detroit-cyclists-ride-to-new-milestone/#comments Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:30:34 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=316 Detroit Bike Riders United's Ron Scott

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.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/08/02/detroit-cyclists-ride-to-new-milestone/feed/ 2 Bike Riders United on WDET http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/31/bike-riders-united-on-wdet/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/31/bike-riders-united-on-wdet/#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:40:57 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=307 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!

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/31/bike-riders-united-on-wdet/feed/ 0 Detroit Cycling Awareness Ride is Friday http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/30/detroit-cycling-awareness-ride-is-friday/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/30/detroit-cycling-awareness-ride-is-friday/#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:31:33 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=294 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

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/30/detroit-cycling-awareness-ride-is-friday/feed/ 0 Committee votes to drop bike license fines http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/28/committee-votes-to-drop-bike-license-fines/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/28/committee-votes-to-drop-bike-license-fines/#comments Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:08:39 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=281 Bike registration law rolls toward repeal

A group bike ride in Detroit

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

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/28/committee-votes-to-drop-bike-license-fines/feed/ 2 Public Hearing to End Detroit Bike License Requirement http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/22/public-hearing-to-end-detroit-bike-license-requirement/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/22/public-hearing-to-end-detroit-bike-license-requirement/#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:00:21 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=264 Detroit, Michigan

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.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/22/public-hearing-to-end-detroit-bike-license-requirement/feed/ 5 Police Chief Clarifies Detroit Bike Licensing http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/17/police-chief-clairifies-detroit-bike-licensing/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/17/police-chief-clairifies-detroit-bike-licensing/#comments Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:16:54 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=256 Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings

Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings

The group Bike Riders United and MTGA attended today’s Detroit Police Commission meeting. Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings clarified the bike license issue. She said the rationale for this is specific to returning stolen property. It was not her intent to have officers write tickets. The police are not looking to enforce the penalty portion of the licensing issue.

The Chief did acknowledge that is was a mistake to not work with community groups, including cyclists prior to issuing the initial press release about the licensing.

She added that she is a cyclist and may join the Bike Riders United “Cycling Awareness” ride scheduled for August 1st.

The next step is to correct work with City Council to make this license ordinance more clear and reasonable while still giving the Police the tools necessary to identify and return stolen property.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/17/police-chief-clairifies-detroit-bike-licensing/feed/ 1 Detroit Bicycle License Updates http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/17/detroit-bicycle-license-updates/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2008/07/17/detroit-bicycle-license-updates/#comments Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:41:21 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=245 Common Ground

There is near unanimity among the cyclists we’ve spoken with. No one is opposed to any Michigan city registering bicycles. Cyclists are opposed to (a) a city ordinance applying to non-residents, and (b) the Detroit Police Departments threat of enforcement.

Many Detroit cyclists have reported difficulty in getting the licenses; either their local precinct has been out of stock or hours of availability are too limited.

800 Free Licenses for Kids

From a recent Detroit Police Department press release:

Police Chief Ella M. Bully-Cummings along with the Detroit Police Department’s executive team, the three police unions, and the Detroit Firefighters Association have come together to provide a special gift to the children of Detroit. On Saturday, July 12, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., more than 800 FREE bicycle licenses will be available for children 15 and under (first come, first served) at various locations citywide.

From the Wheelhouse Detroit

Here’s some interesting (and positive!) news from our friends at the Wheelhouse:

We got all of our bikes licensed, and are currently working with DPD to even sell them here. Although we still have a fear, like many of the people we talk to, that licenses will be used for harassment rather than for the stated purpose of reducing bike theft, but we can only hope. And we’ve been talking to a lot of officers, all of whom feel like ticketing suburbanites — or residents for that matter — without licenses is just not going to happen. It’s not worth a trip to court for a ticket that will likely get thrown out.

Bike Riders United

A new Detroit bicycle group has formed that among other things, hopes to change this city ordinance. They have already gone before a city council committee. Some rapid remedy may be in the works.

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