Category: Advocacy

THANKS, LEAGUE OF MICHIGAN BICYCLISTS – BETTER BIKING IN DEARBORN

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The Better Bike Project is a first for the City of Dearborn. Through this project Bike Dearborn has been able to install the first two Public Use Bike Repair Stations in the City. These Bike Fixation brand Deluxe Public Work Stands include a bike pump and all the tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. The stations have a high visibility powder coat and feature vinyl graphics with the LMB logo and the other funders of this project.

The first repair station is located on the upcoming Discover Dearborn Bike Route in the heart of West Downtown Dearborn. This location is within close proximity to many popular restaurants, retail shops, and a summer farmer’s market. Near an existing Bike Share station and new bike parking corral, this highly visible location by the West Village Commons Plaza is sure to be a hit. Funding for this station came from the LMB micro-grant and the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority

The second repair station will be located along the extremely popular Rouge River Gateway Trail, just on the outskirts of West Downtown Dearborn. This repair station will be located on an existing concrete slab at the trailhead in close proximity of the trailhead parking lot, John D. Dingell Transit Center, Ford Field Regional Park and the Dearborn Historical Museum. Funding for this station came from the LMB grant, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly’s One Dearborn Foundation,  and Dearborn Brewing.

The second station has been purchased but installation has been delayed due to construction by Wayne County. A “fishway” passage is being constructed by the century-old Jens Jensen dam at Henry Ford’s Fairlane Estate. This construction has caused a closure of the Rouge River Gateway Trail near the installation site. The repair station will be placed at the trailhead in the next few months once it is verified that it will not be damaged by construction traffic.

The City of Dearborn has generously donated the time and labor of the DPW crew to install the stations. The City and related departments have been extremely supportive of this project.

Bike Dearborn looks forward to continuing this project in the future with additional stations throughout all areas of the City.  Thank you League of Michigan Bicyclists for seeing the vision of our organization and being a part of our celebration of Better Biking in Dearborn! 
www.lmb.org
​www.bikedearborn.com

LEAGUE OF MICHIGAN BICYCLISTS 2018 BICYCLE ADVOCATE AWARD

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Bike Dearborn Founder and Ride Leader, Tracy Besek was awarded the 2018 Bicycle Advocate Award by the League of Michigan Bicyclists earlier in June at an Award Ceremony in Grand Rapids, MI.  
From the LMB.org website: 

Bicycle Advocate Award
Tracy Besek

Five years ago, Tracy used a simple hashtag on social media to highlight her love of bicycling with her son around her hometown: #BikeDearborn.  It has since evolved into the grassroots group that exists today. Not only did she found the organization, but she is also an advocate for bicycling infrastructure improvements in Dearborn and was the major player involved in getting the City of Dearborn to pass a 5-foot passing law in 2017. Through Tracy’s dedication, determination and passion for bicycling, Dearborn, the hometown of Henry Ford and Ford Motor Company, is quickly becoming a leading bicycle-friendly city.

  • Tracy Besek with John Lindenmayer, Executive Director of the League of Michigan Bicyclists

Dearborn City Council Approves 5 ft Safety Law

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Sep 28, 2017: Dearborn, MI. City Council votes YES on new traffic safety ordinance created to give bicyclists 5ft clearance from passing motor vehicles.

THE CITY OF DEARBORN ORDAINS TO: Amend Chapter 18 of the Code of the City of Dearborn by adding Sec. 18-322 to read as follows:
Chapter 18 TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES *** ARTICLE II. TRAFFIC CODE ***
Division 7. Meeting; Overtaking; Passing; Right of Way; Marked Lanes ***

Sec. 18-322 Minimum distance when overtaking or passing a bicycle; penalty. (a) When overtaking or passing a person operating a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, the driver of a motor vehicle shall exercise due care and may only overtake or pass a bicyclist when there is a safe distance, which shall minimally require allowing the bicyclist at least five (5) feet separation between the right side of the driver’s vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the left side of the bicyclist at all times. (b) A person who violates this rule is responsible for a civil infraction.

#giveme5ft #bikedearborn