Congratulations to The Hub of Detroit. The League of American Bicyclists has named them as the first gold-level Bicycle Friendly Business in Michigan.

Businesses that apply for the award are contributing to a more bicycle-friendly lifestyle for their employees. The Hub of Detroit serves as an example for best practices and innovations in bicycle friendliness at the workplace. The Hub of Detroit makes bicycling an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as mechanical assistance and education, ample bicycle parking and incentives such as an ally program where ongoing time commitments to the organization yield expanded access to tool space and time.

“This Bicycle Friendly Business is making a difference for employees, customers, and communities,” said Bill Nesper, Director of the Bicycle Friendly America Program. “The Hub of Detroit promotes bicycling as a viable form of transportation and gives their employees choices and options that make biking to work easy and fun.”

The other Michigan-based Bicycle Friendly Businesses are the League of Michigan Bicyclists in Lansing (silver) and Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids (bronze).

If you live in Oakland County and are a voting member of the League of Michigan Bicyclists, please consider voting for Mike Reuter.

I’ve been working closely on bicycle advocacy issues with Mike for the past few years. He gets it, he’s involved in it, and he’s willing to bring that experience and energy to the LMB.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve spoken with him on cycling issues and his response is always, “What can I do to help?”

But perhaps more important than offering to help, he does what he says and gets things done. You don’t grow a single store into one of America’s largest bicycle stores networks by not getting things done.

And, from the halls of the U.S. capitol to the streets of Oakland County, I’ve personally seen Mike’s understanding of the issues and how he can professionally represent cycling and get the message across.

When meeting with our Congressmembers earlier this spring, Mike was always quick to bring in the economic benefits argument. He’s a local businessmen that is hiring people in these economic times and that certainly a statement that few other groups can make in Washington or Lansing.

I also spoke with John Waterman from PEAC. He noted that Mike’s been a big supporter of the PEAC program and also supports Mike’s election to the LMB board.

Steve Roach, LMB Director from Region 1 is also throwing his support behind Mike Reuter.

We need to make this change to move the LMB forward, so please consider casting your vote for Mike.

If you have any questions, please contact me personally.

Todd Scott

Steve Roach, the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) Director for Detroit and the Pointes, was recently profiled in Grosse Pointe Today.

Roach, 48, is a lawyer at Miller Canfield in downtown Detroit. Several times a week, weather permitting, he leaves his car at home and commutes from his Grosse Pointe Park house to his office by bicycle. The 8.5-mile route carries him into decaying neighborhoods, over rutted pavement and sometimes through sweltering heat, but all of this doesn’t stop him, or even slow him down, and it certainly doesn’t bum him out. Exercise is its own reward.

“It occurred to me that it takes me at least 20 minutes to drive (to my office), and I started thinking I bet I could ride (there) in 20. I’m able to clear my head and enjoy it. For an extra 20 minutes of commuting a day, I get an hour’s worth of exercise.”

Through my job as Detroit Greenway Coordinator for MTGA, I get to work with Steve quite often. He’s definitely one of the shining stars within the LMB.

And on our most recent Detroit rides we even rescued a baby goat. Serious.

While he’s been very supportive of the Detroit biking and trail efforts, he and others are also working to make the Pointes more bike friendly. One suggestion is having bike lanes on Jefferson, or at least some Share the Road signage.

Here’s a video from the Grosse Pointe Today article as well.

This just in from the League of Michigan Bicyclists. We could use cyclists contacting their State Representative and Senator to make sure these bills get passed.

Legislative Action Alert

Tell your Legislator to Support HB 6299 and HB 6300, make roads safer for cyclists.

Representatives Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw) and David Palsrok (R-Manistee) on June 29 introduced House Bills 6299 and 6300, which enhance penalties for moving violations causing physical injury or death to bicyclists and other vulnerable roadway users.

Senator Tom George (R-Kalamazoo) has committed to introduce Senate companion bills with the same language. (Check www.LMB.org/advocacycenter.htm) for future information, including Senate bill numbers and co-sponsors.)

A teen on a bike deserves the same protection as one driving a tractor. These bills will make Michigan roadways safer for bicyclists and all vulnerable users of our taxpayer-funded road system.
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The League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB) is hosting a Bicycle Summit in Lansing on March 29th, 2008 from 9AM until 4PM.  There will be “full day of workshops, presentations on LMB’s advocacy and education efforts and discussions about coalitions.”

The workshops include

• Advocacy at the Local Level
• Complete Streets
• On Road Facilities
• Regional Coalitions

The cost is $25 and includes lunch.

Additional information and registration