transportation alternatives in Detroit

November 2, 2005 at 10:40 pm | In transportation |

My new friend Heatherpoet has a new blog, InnocenceAwakening!

Turns out she’s from Detroit, where I grew up and where my family all lives. In her post Mass transit in Detroit, referring to reading about alternatives to cars, she writes: “I was very inspired because there has to be something we can do to spark legislation that will actually get somewhere. I was wondering if anyone out there knows of anything I can participate in to get something on the books or that is already in motion.”

I have a couple of thoughts about that. One is to check out Critical Mass Detroit and go ride with them. Another is to drop Mark Dilley a line. He’s a union organizer and knows a lot of what’s going on in the Detroit area.

Working on alternatives in the belly of the beast, as it were, legislation is a fine goal. Don’t overlook personal and small group actions that can make a difference. Bike lanes, for example, are a chicken and egg problem, really. No need for lanes without people being on their bikes and people don’t always feel safe on their bikes without seperate lanes. So go ride in the Mass, get some friends together for a group on-street ride so it’s safer, etc. Some goes for walking, car-pooling, bussing, whatever.

I look forward to a report-back!

2 Comments

  1. Hey Ted,

    Thanks for the info. I have a lot of ideas as to what I would like to see happen here in Oakland County with the SMART system we have…like the use of biodisel in the buses or to see the big three create the transit system using better means. So much to think about. Thanks,also, for the comment on my site.

    Cheers,

    heather

    Comment by heatherpoet — November 2, 2005 #

  2. There must be groups working to make SMART really work, yes? It’s just a question of finding them. My parents live in Oakland County (I went to Birmingham Groves HS) and I had to move away to figure out about alternatives. It’s exciting to me that you’re thinking about it.

    Comment by ted — November 3, 2005 #

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