m-bike.org » Ferndale http://www.m-bike.org/blog Promoting non-motorized transportation in the Motor City Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:36:37 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Grassroots Southeast Oakland County bike route mapping http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/12/01/grassroots-southeast-oakland-county-bike-route-mapping/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/12/01/grassroots-southeast-oakland-county-bike-route-mapping/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:44:06 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=6587 From Tom Regan of Royal Oak:

If you cycle frequently you have probably mapped out some safe and quick ways to get from here to there (say, from Royal Oak to Berkely, or from Clawson to Ferndale). Now it is time to share your knowledge.

We are collecting safe biking routes into one large regional biking map. With help from the Oakland County mapping department we will collate the data and publish this map sometime in the spring of 2012.

Residents of Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, and Royal Oak are invited and encouraged to attend. If you live in another city and would like to join please call or email me directly and we will add you in.

Join us:

Come by any time between 7pm and 8:30pm to share your map ideas.This event is a joint project of the Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board and environmental advisory boards in Berkley, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, and Pleasant Ridge. Thank you also to the Oakland County mapping department for their kind offer to collate our mapping data.Please spread the word any way you can.
Tom Regan
3126 Glenview
Royal Oak, MI 48073
home: 248-435-0147
cell: 248-797-1075
tregan3@hotmail.com

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/12/01/grassroots-southeast-oakland-county-bike-route-mapping/feed/ 0 42.4898491 -83.1427994 Share your thoughts on Downtown Ferndale http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/29/share-your-thoughts-on-downtown-ferndale/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/29/share-your-thoughts-on-downtown-ferndale/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:40:40 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=6163 The Ferndale DDA is hosting a survey to collect your thoughts on the downtown area.

There are bike-related survey questions regarding bike lanes, bike parking as well as the call for traffic calming.

It’s just a one-page survey and it doesn’t take too long to complete.

A recent Daily Tribune article gives more details:

[DDA Executive Director Cristina] Sheppard-Decius said downtown officials hope to find a way to narrow West Nine Mile Road from five to three lanes, similar to what has been done in the main business district.

Reconfiguring the roadway would allow for wider sidewalks and landscaping and open the way to add public benches, decorative street lighting, bike racks, and on-street parking. Other possible improvements are bicycle lanes and a roundabout at Livernois.

We’d love to see that Livernois intersection improved. It seems to create endless waits especially when heading south. Livernois is a key Eight Mile Road crossing for area cyclists.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/29/share-your-thoughts-on-downtown-ferndale/feed/ 5 42.4605980 -83.1343155 ACTION ALERT: Oakland County Complete Streets http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/15/action-alert-oakland-county-complete-streets/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/15/action-alert-oakland-county-complete-streets/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:10:19 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=6111 As we mentioned last week, Oakland County Commissioners Dave Woodward (Royal Oak) and Craig Covey (Ferndale) were introducing a Complete Streets resolution. That resolution was passed out of committee on a 5-4 vote and now goes before the entire commission for a vote this Thursday.

The entire resolution is on Commissioner Covey’s web site, but the resolution’s actions are:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby declares its support for Complete Streets and requests the Road Commission of Oakland County (RCOC) adopt a Complete Streets into its strategic planning process.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby requests the Road Commission of Oakland County to develop a Non-motorized Transportation Plan that will include, at a minimum, accommodations for accessibility, sidewalks, curb ramps and cuts, trails and pathways, signage, bike lanes, and shall incorporate principles of Complete Streets and maximize walkable and bikeable streets within Oakland County.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby requests the Road Commission for Oakland County plan for, design, and construct all transportation improvement projects, both new and retrofit activities, to provide appropriate accommodations for bicyclists,

Oakland County residents take action

While there is some optimism this resolution will pass with all Democrats and a handful of Republicans on board. However, those R votes could disappear. We need to make sure they don’t.

We need residents to contact their commissioner and voice your support for the Complete Streets resolution before the Thursday vote. This is especially important for those with Republican commissioners.

Also, in case you missed it, the Ferndale Patch ran an article on Complete Streets last week.

 

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/15/action-alert-oakland-county-complete-streets/feed/ 3 Oakland County Complete Streets resolution & meeting http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/07/oakland-county-complete-streets-resolution-meeting/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/07/oakland-county-complete-streets-resolution-meeting/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:04:40 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=6063 ** Note that the Complete Streets meeting is Tuesday, August 9th **

Oakland County Commissioners David Woodward and Craig Covey are introducing a Complete Streets resolution tomorrow, Monday, August 8th.

From the resolution:

“…increasing active transportation (e.g. walking, bicycling, public transportation) offers the potential for improved public health, economic development, a cleaner environment, reduced transportation costs, enhanced community connections, social equity, and more livable communities. ‘Complete Streets’ can also reduce traffic congestion and reliance on foreign oil.”

No, Oakland County Government does not own, build or manage roads. That is done by the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC), a completely separate county government operation for just roads.

(In Michigan, county governments by default can have health departments, cemeteries, courts, airports, parks and more – but they can’t have a road department. Roads are handled by a separate county government called a road commission. In order to consolidate these two county governments, state law needs to be changed and a county needs to become chartered — neither are easy.)

However, Oakland County government does have some pull over the RCOC. They do give them money and every two years they appoint a road commissioner.

We’ve had discussions with Commissioner Woodward over the past few years about a Complete Streets resolution, including making it a prerequisite for those county funds.

We’ve also brought up Complete Streets during the most recent road commissioner appointment process. That seemed to gain traction among the Democratic minority. It will be interesting to see whether Monday’s resolution gets votes from the Republican majority. There’s some discussion that it will.

It also is worth mentioning that we’ve been meeting with the RCOC regarding Complete Streets issues, including bike accommodations. It’s too early to say how that will play out. Current RCOC policy is to not accommodate bicycles on county roads, i.e. no bike lanes, no sharrows, no four-foot paved shoulders.

Complete Streets public meeting in Ferndale

On Tuesday, August 9th both Woodward and Covey are speaking in Ferndale about their resolution. This free meeting is at 6:30 PM at the Ferndale Public Library.

There more event information on Facebook.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/08/07/oakland-county-complete-streets-resolution-meeting/feed/ 5 42.4602928 -83.1322861 Detroit Bike to Work Day is May 20th http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/05/13/detroit-bike-to-work-day-is-may-20th/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/05/13/detroit-bike-to-work-day-is-may-20th/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 20:57:05 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=5785 Two Detroit Synergy Bike to Work group rides are planned for the morning of Friday, May 20th, 2011. Both end at Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit.

  • Woodward Ave – Starts in Royal Oak with stops in Ferndale and Midtown
  • East Jefferson Ave – Starts in Grosse Pointe with stops on the East Side and at Rivertown

Showers and Locker facilities will be available at the Boll Family YMCA at (1400 Broadway).

More details, including the routes and scheduling are available on the Detroit Synergy web site.

Can’t ride? Volunteers are needed!

Special thank to the sponsors who make this event possible: Miller-Canfield, American Cycle and Fitness, Giffels-Webster Engineers, Wheelhouse Detroit, and Armadillo Printwear.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/05/13/detroit-bike-to-work-day-is-may-20th/feed/ 1 42.3316841 -83.0470505 Ferndale Green Week: Sunday is Bicycle Day http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/04/15/ferndale-green-week-sunday-is-bicycle-day/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/04/15/ferndale-green-week-sunday-is-bicycle-day/#comments Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:34:42 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=5660 Ferndale is hosting the 3rd annual Green Week starting tomorrow, April 16th.

And Sunday the 17th  is dubbed Bicycle Day and includes a group ride.

The Sierra Club Green Cruise presents – Spring Bicycle Ride – starts @ 10am at the Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop (163 W. 9 Mile Rd., 48220)

  • Distance – 20 miles at easy to moderate pace
  • 16 yrs. old and older
  • Helmets required
  • SAG vehicle supplied by The Night Move bio-fueled bus
  • Free bicycle check-ups at the Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop – 10am – 2pm
  • Free massages by Greenleaf Bodyworks at the Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop – 4.17 – 10am – 2pm
  • Western Market will provide free bananas

The route has been posted on Bikely.

Green Week wraps up on Friday, April 22nd with an Earth Day Celebration Party at The Loving Touch starting at 7pm. The party includes a special Sierra Club and Beer gathering, roller races, and more.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/04/15/ferndale-green-week-sunday-is-bicycle-day/feed/ 0 42.4604645 -83.1359634 Ferndale’s Complete Streets in the news http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/11/06/ferndales-complete-streets-in-the-news/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/11/06/ferndales-complete-streets-in-the-news/#comments Sat, 06 Nov 2010 22:49:43 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=4944 C and G News published an article on Ferndale’s passing of a Complete Streets ordinance.

In it, Mayor  Covey (and soon to be county commissioner) astutely noted that Ferndale has already had great success with Complete Streets, citing the W. Nine Mile road diet — a key turning point in revitalizing Downtown Ferndale.

Another key benefit to the ordinance?

Councilwoman Kate Baker pointed out that having a Complete Streets policy in place will also help to get the Police Department, the Department of Public Works, the Community Development Services Department, the Parks and Recreation Department and the Plan Commission on the same page.

That’s an interesting point. In many cities now, there is no such formal departmental coordination on road projects. We recently spoke with another city’s planning commission chair. They pushed their city engineering to let their commission review and comment on the road designs before they’re finalized.

In Detroit there been a discussion on what the health department’s role is in transportation decisions. We know that road designs affect whether people can safely bike or walk. We know that these decisions affect obesity.

And, road injuries and fatalities are a health issue. New York City Mayor Bloomberg noted the increase in life expectancy for his city residents just from reduced pedestrian and cycling deaths.

One final word: Thanks to the city of Ferndale for the beautifully re-paved bikes lanes on Hilton north of Nine Mile. They’re so smooth!

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/11/06/ferndales-complete-streets-in-the-news/feed/ 0 42.4603157 -83.1311417 Ferndale Police nab suspected bike thief http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/10/27/ferndale-police-nab-suspected-bike-thief/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/10/27/ferndale-police-nab-suspected-bike-thief/#comments Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:11:05 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=4869 The Free Press is reporting that the Ferndale Police Department arrested a suspected bike thief:

David Vincent McArthur, 36, a Ferndale resident, is to be arraigned on a four-year felony — larceny from a building; in this case, a garage — as well as on two counts of simple larceny, in the thefts of three bicycles within the span of about an hour, police said.

“Community policing is something that’s always been this department’s philosophy. We try to be in touch with what’s going on in the neighborhoods,” Lt. William Wilson said.

“So, we think going after a bike thief is just as important as nailing a bank robber, in terms of our residents’ feeling of security in their homes,” Wilson said.

The Daily Tribune also covered the story, adding:

“We suspect he has a drug habit and was stealing the bikes to trade them for small amounts of drugs,” said Ferndale police Lt. William Wilson.

Police report that 10 bicycles have been stolen in the city this month.

The man also is suspected of stealing bikes in Pleasant Ridge and Hazel Park.

Thanks to the Ferndale Police for taking bike theft seriously.

It’s also great to see that Ferndale has Police Mountain Bike officers on patrol. There’s perhaps no better way for police to understand traffic issues facing cyclists than by having officers experience them first-hand.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/10/27/ferndale-police-nab-suspected-bike-thief/feed/ 0 42.4606934 -83.1309052 Ferndale adopts Complete Streets ordinance http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/10/26/ferndale-adopts-complete-streets-ordinance/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/10/26/ferndale-adopts-complete-streets-ordinance/#comments Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:53:43 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=4866 Last night, city councilwoman Melanie Piana’s tweeted, “Tonight, Ferndale city council unanimously adopted a Complete Streets ordinance.”

Congratulations, Ferndale!

They join Berkley and Novi as the three Oakland County communities with Complete Streets ordinances or resolutions.

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]]> http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/10/26/ferndale-adopts-complete-streets-ordinance/feed/ 0 42.4603157 -83.1311417 Ferndale Complete Streets and Bicycle Commuting 101 http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/07/ferndale-complete-streets-and-bicycle-commuting-101/ http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2010/08/07/ferndale-complete-streets-and-bicycle-commuting-101/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:01:22 +0000 Todd Scott http://www.m-bike.org/blog/?p=4450 Another exciting bicycling event in Ferndale:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Douglas Christie
248.709.9301
gofeetdc@gmail.com
Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission – Chair

Ferndale Complete Streets and Bicycle Commuting 101

Please join avid bicyclist and Ferndale City Council Member, Melanie Piana when she speaks about what the State & National Complete Streets Coalition is, and how the City of Ferndale is looking to become a leader in building roadways that move people not just automobiles. Plus Continental Bike Shop will be doing a “bicycle commuting 101″ workshop…and afterwards feel free to join us on a mini bicycle commute around Ferndale!

The Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission’s Green Tuesday seminars are aimed at providing Ferndale residents with the information they need to become even better stewards of the environment. The seminars will be held the second Tuesday of the month at the Kulick Community Center in Ferndale (1201 Livernois St.) from 6:30pm-8:00pm. The seminars are FREE and open to the public (you need not be a Ferndale resident to attend).

WHAT: Ferndale Green Tuesday Seminar: Ferndale Complete Streets and Bicycle Commuting 101

WHO: Ferndale Environmental Sustainability Commission, Continental Bike Shop and guest speaker – Ferndale City Council Member Melanie Piana

WHEN: Tuesday, August 10th from 6:30pm-8:00pm + bicycle ride to immediately follow – a light and helmet is required

WHERE: Kulick Community Center, 1201 Livernois St., Ferndale, MI


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