Regional Transit Authority: Let's get serious.

Ok, so has anyone tried to drive around the Metro-Detroit area in the past few weeks?

I know the answer is probably close to 100% of our dear, wonderful 2W4W readers. We all know the limits on our transit options.

So, what's been going on lately?

Traffic has been like LA-style (ok, maybe a *tad* dramatic) parking-lot-moving-nowhere-it-now-takes-me-almost-one-hour-to-go-12-miles.

Lines of people waiting for the bus have been CRAZY. A bus-commute down Woodward = a bunch of people waiting and ONE bus spotted during morning rush hour. ONE BUS. BOTH WAYS. WHAAAT.

So the region is growing (awesome), people are working (alright, alright), needing to get around...so hmmmm.
What could be next...??

Maybe, just maybe a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) for SE Michigan? So we can move forward and take the region to the next level?

Local business and higher education leaders confirm what we all know and live:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120926/METRO05/209260410#ixzz27b3AIK5O

There's a hearing TODAY in Lansing on these important bills. If you can't make it to Lansing - no worries! Here's a great opportunity to email your legislators to let them know (and remember - they work for YOU) that you support the RTA.
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50450/p/dia/action/public/

And pass this info on to your family, friends, lovers, neighbors - anyone and everyone!

Every major metropolitan city in the world has seen the major and amazing benefits of an RTA. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Let's do this!

People of the bus: Big hat. Plastic bags.

Anyone that rides the bus or commutes or runs errands in a regular way is sure to run into the same people. I usually am on the same bus routes each week - and probably 50% of the bus contains familiar faces. These segments are meant to highlight these amazing characters, especially as you learn something fascinating - as I did this morning.

There is this short-ish man that always gets on the bus in Pleasant Ridge. He's older, kind of hunched over, and is always wearing some sort of huge hat. Khakis and a jacket. He's also one of those people I see all over downtown Detroit - sometimes in my office building, sometimes on the street at lunch or after work. One thing I always have noticed is that he has an insane amount of plastic grocery bags full of stuff with him. Like dude bought groceries for the week, and decided to drag them all over on the bus and downtown. Every. single. day.

Today, I happened to get off the bus in behind him and noticed that there were many people kind of standing and maybe waiting for him. When he stepped off the bus, these folks kind of descended quickly upon him - so I was kind of keeping an eye out (he's a bus buddy, gotta watch out for each other!). Then he opens the plastic bags and he starts handing things out. Food from what I saw. Sandwiches. He's asking people what they'd like - was there a specific sandwich they wanted. Wow.

And here I just thought he was a crazy dude that really loved his grocery shopping.

The people of the bus. The people of Detroit. Full of surprises - and compassion.

#lovedetroit
#lovethebus

Holy DDOT Has Entered the 21st Century, Batman!

Amazing news!!!

First, on my way home this evening I saw Batman (in cape) riding his bike east across Woodward, north of downtown.  On his way to meet Robin for happy hour?  Beware bad guys?!  BOOM!  POW!  CHOP!  DRINK!

One Batman.  One Robin.  Two Wheels.

Second, DDOT has entered the 21st century!  Yes, they launched a text message service that allows you to find out when the next bus will arrive.  This is amazing!!!  Too amazing to believe, so I tested it immediately.  And guess what?  It worked!!!  So how does it work?

1. Text the cross streets where you are to 50464 (message rates do apply).
2. You will receive a text message back almost immediately (for real - I tested it out), that asks which direction you are heading.  Respond with your direction
3. Receive a text message that lets you know how many minutes you need to wait until the next bus arrives.  
4. AMAZING!!!

Kudos to DDOT for this step forward!  And here's to hoping that SMART will follow in DDOT's bus tracks...

It's primary election time - Oakland County residents! Get serious.

2W4W fans!
I know many of you follow us through various social networking means, but we will own up to the fact we've been totally blog-slacking. We have lots of topics in mind, so we're going to start to catch-up. Hope you're ready :)

In the meantime, Oakland County friends - the SMART millage renewal is on the ballot tomorrow. Yes, we know the adjusted SMART schedule is frustrating and has basically eliminated our bus/bike happy hours. Le sigh.

But not voting in favor of this millage?

SMART services would be eliminated at the end of 2012.

Whoa. WHOA. Truly not an option!

VOTE YES tomorrow August 7th in favor of the SMART millage renewal!

More info on the millage from SMART themselves -
http://www.smartbus.org/newsinfo/pressreleases/Pages/SMART-Millage-on-the-Ballot-in-Oakland-County-on-August-7,-2012.aspx

Curious about your ballot or where your polling place is? The State of Michigan offers you this awesome resource:
https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/

Call the Fashion Police!

Riding in a dress can be done!  (Luckily, no one has a picture of what I looked like while riding my bike with capris and this dress.  For that, the fashion police should be alerted. HA!)

 

I remember a couple months ago someone asked Julie and I what we wear when we bike to work.  Honestly, we both have flexible jobs where we don't have to wear professional clothes every day; however we do dress nicely for work and from time to time do need to wear a suit or more professional attire.  

The trick is preparation.  For instance, today I hosted a meeting at my office where I needed to look nice.  I wanted to wear a dress, so I wore capris under the dress making sure not to expose anything during my morning commute.  It was pretty easy and I had no difficulties riding my bike.  Sure, I looked odd and did get a couple "huh?" looks but oh well.  After the capris came off, I looked "work nice."  You should try it for it can be done!!! 

What do you think - should 2 Women 4 Wheels have a bike-to-work fashion show?  :)

Road vs. Sidewalk

While biking in the city, I do my best to ride on the road and to obey traffic signals. However, on occasion I don't feel safe on the street and I'll hop onto the sidewalk. Today, I had to do just that.

Usually I don't have any problems with Woodward in Detroit but this morning was different. I left my apartment a little after 8am on my way to a work meeting in the Buhl building. I considered traveling down Cass but then I remembered the construction that is taking place, so I decided to travel on Woodward. It was busy! I was a bit nervous but thought I could brave it and do it.

I started strong and biked in the far right lane until I reached Park Lane, just passed Grand Circus Park, where I was bullied onto the sidewalk. (Why didn't I turn onto Park Lane? It's a one way in the wrong direction of where I needed to go.) I just didn't fit on Woodward and it was so full of speedy cars that I decided not to risk my life trying to figure out how to fit. So I put my head down and rode on the sidewalk until I reached State Street. :(

Once I was on State Street, I biked on the road to Griswold and continued biking on the road despite the mess of congestion on Griswold. I think the difference between Woodward and Griswold was the traffic was slower, so I felt more confident in braving Griswold.

Yes, I know it's *technically* safer to ride on the road than on the sidewalks - not to mention that in some instances it's illegal to ride on sidewalks.  I am admitting to you in this post that I need to do a better job of convincing my mind and body that's the case. Or maybe the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) could install bike lanes on Woodward?  Just a thought!

Anyway, my bike adventures are not always perfect. I'll keep trying to be a better biker and hopefully one of these rides I will brave riding on Woodward even when it's packed with vehicles.

 In the meantime, check out this awesome picture I took of the very full bike rack in the garage downtown. The bumper sticker reminded me that at least I did not add to the congestion on Woodward this morning with my car. :)

 

P.S. Starship's, "We Built this City" is playing on the radio. (And yes I'm singing along with 2 Women 4 Wheel's motto... We built this city on walk and roll!!!)

Interesting Reading:
Bicycle Safety: How to Not Get Hit by Cars
Bike Commuting 101:  Top 5 Rules for Riding on the Sidewalk

Getting in touch with your inner Leslie Knope

I've been traveling a ton lately for fun and work - so it was pretty amazing that I actually caught the email about the City Commission vote on the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan in Royal Oak. And it was even more amazing that I'd be in town to lend my support for this awesome and comprehensive plan.

Re: the title of this blog - I've been called Leslie Knope before - for those of you that don't get that reference - Amy Poehler's character on NBC's Parks & Recreation. And for those of you that don't want to Google that? She's super civically-engaged, dedicated to all people/things related to the city she lives in. Really the type that would go to bus system board meetings and try to map out how transit funding flows in her spare time. Sound familiar!?

So having a reason to go to the City Commission meeting and speak at public comment? Sign me up!

 I'm there about 5 minutes early to survey the scene, scope out the other non-motorized transportation fans are in the room. I see some other local bikers and we congregate. My seat is on the aisle - which is important to the story later.

 Public comment starts and it's a lot to do with events coming up in the city - Memorial Day Parade, etc. Good stuff. Then this man and his two young-adult-age kids get up there and I perk up to listen. They start reading prepared statements about a fundraiser and a blood drive they are having at their respective schools. At one point - the younger kid reads "come to the circle drive at the school - and not sure where that is? Not to worry - we'll be waving you in with balloons and signs!". I have no idea who these kids are but I was BEAMING. These prepared statements. How much they already care about their community. Speaking up in front of a room of adults - using a microphone (which still freaks me out) no less. BABY LESLIE KNOPES. Ah, it gave me so much hope.

So they finish their statements and start to walk back down the aisle. My hand is already raised, ready to be called on for my public comment. The youngest kid, feeling joy from his very successful public comment, raises his hand too. I'm confused for a second, but then I realize - he thinks I'm throwing a high-five! He quickly realizes, sheepishly looks at me, and puts his hand down. But hot damn - I totally would've high-fived that kid. Let's bring that kind of excitement to City Commission meetings! LOVE IT.

And to make the meeting even better? The Non-Motorized Transportation Plan PASSED. Royal Oak is getting bike lanes!! YAY!

Thanks to the local non-motorized transport activists (ahem, Tom Regan for being our fearless organizer!), the consultants that worked on this plan, the Planning Commission, Mayor Ellison and the City Commission. This is democracy and progress at its very finest. So, so proud to be a Royal Oak resident!

http://royaloak.patch.com/articles/commission-oks-language-for-non-motorized-plan-in-city-master-plan