We wanted to reach out about a project we are working on here at Urbane Life; Increasing awareness of local, public transportation. Metro Detroit suburbs have suffered the wrath of inadequate public transportation, to the point that some suburbanites don’t think we have any at all, and or are afraid to try what we do have. This project is about telling a new story about what Public Transportation does exist in Metro Detroit and how to effectively navigate your way around town, as it can be a bit intimidating.
This project will also cover the growing other way to get around town; On Two Wheels, by bike. Folks have worked pretty hard to get adequate bike lanes to be important to city officials. Communities including Berkley, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Clawson, Novi, Oxford and Oakland Township have adopted Complete Streets resolutions or ordinances. The nationwide Complete Streets initiative aims to protect bikers and pedestrians who share the road with motorized vehicles. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in support of a Complete Streets transportation model for the county.
We Have Some Hip and Cool Help On the Street
So we sure couldn’t do this project alone, so we have reached out and partnered with a couple pretty dynamic ladies who dub themselves 2Women4Wheels to help us. Their website states “We built this city on walk and roll! This is the true story of adventures two ladies encounter while navigating southeast Michigan via bike/bus sober and not sober”. We hope these stories entertain and inspire you to explore your community in a car-free way. Our small bus investment pays big dividends”
Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Melissa Damaschke and Julie Funke will be writing about some of their experiences via bicycle & public transit, with rants, raves, public transportation advice and a whole bunch of useful info.
Made for non-monetary reasons, personal motivation and advocacy – 2 Women, 4 Wheels is entertainment and enlightenment for daily bike commuters. They’re often jotting their biking and transit adventures through Metro Detroit.
Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“It’s a really interesting way to spur advocacy in an informal way,” says Funke. “It’s interesting to see how this information can spread in such a grassroots, but powerful ways.”
“And how we can learn from each other,” adds Damaschke. “We have learned more about different routes to take or a better way to bike in a skirt, or whatever it is, because we’re creating a dialogue with this online community.”
We'll be chatting about public transit in our region, sharing some bus/bike stories, and, of course, enjoying some cocktails & snacks this Thursday at Urbane Underground, 310 West Sixth Street, Suite, at a Kick Off Party, everyone is invited.
Join us if you are excited about exploring public transit in Metro
Detroit and want to learn about how we are looking to make it better!
See you there!
Brought to you by:
2 Women 4 Wheels and The Urbane Life
