Moronacity Cycling Journal » Advocacy
State Park Funding Update – Take Action!
My mom riding at Sleepy Hollow State Park. Like many of Michigan’s poorly-funded state parks, Sleepy Hollow is removing crumbling pavement in favor of dirt roads. The Michigan House and Senate are set to vote on the State Park, Boating Access Site and Forest Recreation Passport Fee on Thursday, November 12, 2010. That is THIS Thursday. Many of you have already contacted your Senators and Representatives. I am asking you to contact them one … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Massive Fallout
I spent most of yesterday driving down from Marquette. After a detour through [near] Owosso, I headed to Mt. Clemens to begin my several-day excursion to the Detroit area for some mountain biking. I know… …I’ve heard it from so many people: “Why would you go down there to mountain bike?” Well, because there is a lot of mountain biking down there. Sure, it’s not like the stuff we have in the Keweenaw or the rest of the Upper Peninsula, but they still have some great trails with their own special characteristics. Many of the trails are just incredibly freakin’ fun! Today, my guide, John Rose of Knobby Tire Tours, showed me around the Stony Creek Metropark trails. John is also co-director of the Michigan … Read entire article »
Filed under: MMBA
2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit
I made the long journey down to Grand Rapids, last Thursday, to partake in the activities of the Midwest Mountain Bike Summit. After nine and a half hours on the road, I arrived at the Comfort Suites Inn where dinner was being served. We enjoyed a pig roast served by a local caterer. Thursday night was social hour(s) spent imbibing beer provided by Founders Brewing Company, in Grand Rapids, a sponsor of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Michigan House Bill 4610 & Senate Bill 0578
It is my understanding that the House Bill 4610 has been updated. The bills I am working with are the ones provided by the Michigan House and Senate web sites. When an updated bill is provided on those sites, I will provided further information. A Westwood Park trail in Newcastle, Indiana that was damaged by a single horse, or two. Photo by Alex Stewart. A Letter State Representative Mike Lahti & Senator … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Equestrian Access to Michigan State Park Trails
In Michigan, a new bill has been introduced that has mountain bikers up in arms. Before we proceed, let’s get a little back story. I got my first horse when I was 11 years old. I really got into it when I got my beloved Paint, Ima. I loved that horse, and I still do. We were the same age and she passed away when we were 25 years old. It … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Ride of Silence – 2009
I apologize for not posting for a while, but I have some good reasons. I’ve been working two jobs to raise my income to fund my mountain biking projects and my bills. I’ve also been getting out to ride, which is really what it is all about. _______________ Tonight is the Ride of Silence. Riders from all over the world will join together at 7:00 p.m. for a gentle ride. The purpose is to honor those who have died in bicycle-automobile accidents and to raise awareness that cyclists are on the roads. To find a ride near you, click here! Unfortunately, I will not be able to join the Ride of Silence, this year. Due to heavy construction and traffic rerouting, the Houghton Ride of Silence has … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Bike Month is Here!
Cover of the League of American Bicyclists Bike Month Guide. National Bike Month has arrived, again! See National Bike Month for the nice little introduction I gave a year ago. Last year, I gave a suggestion for what to do each day (click here to peruse through last May’s posts). This year, I really don’t know what I am going to do. Here are a couple of key dates to plan for: May is National … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Michigan State Recreation Funding Update
This is a rather long post, so I’ve highlighted some of the key concepts for those of you who simply want the gist of it. The State Park, Boating Access Site and Forest Recreation Passport Fee bill passed the Michigan House of Representatives Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Committee and is currently under consideration by the Michigan Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. Senate Bill 389 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to provide for a State park, public boating access site, and forest recreation passport that a Michigan resident could obtain by paying an additional fee when registering a motor vehicle; and require the Secretary of State to transfer the fee revenue to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Senate Bill 388 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Zack’s Not-So-Good Friday
On Wednesday, April 8, the proverbial shit hit the fan when Michigan State University International Relations and Journalism major Zack Colman wrote a rather controversial opinion article for the State News. I’m pretty sure that Zack had no clue what he was setting himself up for. Zack delivered lines such as Black 2001 Saturn SC2. That’s the car I drive — and if you’re a bicyclist on the road but not in a bike path and you see my car, I hope you’re wearing a helmet, because I might run you over. But you see, with all these things I can do in my car nowadays, such as choose a different song on my iPod, send a text message while driving or fall asleep at the wheel because I had to wake … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
Complete Streets
U.S. Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced The Complete Streets Act of 2009. The goal of this bill is to encourage the development of streets that safely support different modes of transportation including automobile, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. S. 584: A bill to ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets and highways. H.R. 1443: Complete Streets Act of 2009: To ensure that all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, are able to travel safely and conveniently on and across federally funded streets … Read entire article »
Filed under: Advocacy
