Green Cruise is Aug. 10

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 2, 2013)

The Sierra Club is all geared-up for the annual Green Cruise, which takes place Aug. 10. This year’s bike rides, parade and events will come together  on the East side of 9 Mile and Woodward.

The Green Cruise’s purpose is to draw awareness to ecofriendly alternatives to automobiles and motorized vehicles. This year’s event features 3 bike rides, a parade, walk, children’s area, and vendor booths.

Every year, an award is given to an individual who embodies the Green Cruise spirit by cycling (as opposed to driving) or promoting cycling as an alternative to diving. This year we are honored to give the “Green Cruiser of the Year” award to Matthew Faraday. As a bike commuter riding to Beaumont Hospital, he became involved with the Green Team and began working to promote bike commuting to the hospital. He spearheaded a mapping project that led to a cycling route map of South East Oakland County that the hospital printed and distributed.

“We’ve had a wonderful turnout these past few years and we’re looking forward to another exciting day this year,” says Tom Dusky, Green Cruise chairman. “The Green Cruise is fun for the whole family, and provides a valuable balance to the Dream Cruise’s focus on automobiles.”

Ten years ago during the Dream Cruise, Royal Oak resident Shirley Bavonese became frustrated with the noise and pollution. She assembled her children and their friends in the neighborhood to ride their bikes up and down the street— the idea for the Green Cruise began. The next year she went to the local Sierra Club national staff person and put a formal plan into action. For the last five years the Green Cruise has been run completely by volunteers.

Here are the times for the rides, with more information available at http://michigan.sierraclub.org/semg/Green_Cruise.html.

• 8am — 42 mile Detroit Ride. There are separate fast and slow groups.

• 9am — 22 mile Suburban Ride—Fast and slow groups.

• 10am — 5 kilometer historical walk in Ferndale.

• 10am – 2pm Live Music, Children’s Area, Free Food, Vendor Booths, Free

• 12 Noon – Human–Powered “Green Parade”

• 1pm – 4 mile Family ride. Easy pace.

Here is the video from last year’s event: