
We worked with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) on a Michigan Senate Resolution in support of Joe Louis, the Joe Louis Greenway and Detroit trails in general. Sponsored by Senator David Knezek, Senate Resolution 115 went before the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism last week. We thought this was a great opportunity to testify before state legislators and share all that is happening with trails and biking in Detroit.
To do that effectively, we invited Detroit bike club officers to join us. Their organizations and club rides are really helping move things forward in Detroit. We rented a van, bought them lunch, and drove them to Lansing to tell that story.
- Mike Torres, President of the Bikes & Murder club spoke of how their Monday night ride quite unexpectedly evolved into Slow Roll. He also talked of how important it was that his child can bike safety around their neighborhood.
- Ashia Phillips, CEO of the D-Town Riders highlighted the need for safer bicycling infrastructure in Detroit. That means more bike lanes and more trails.
- Collier Hardway, Founder of the Lanebangerz talked about his club, the ever popular Westwide Wednesday ride, and their involvement in the Free Bikes 4 Kids program.

MTGA’s Executive Director Bob Wilson spoke about the value of trails from a statewide perspective, while we focused more on the city of Detroit.
We are super grateful to all that gave testimony. As the Committee Chair Goff Hansen noted, it’s not often they get to hear these direct discussions and they are invaluable. He noted the similarities between his bicycling/trail experiences and those that were shared.
Detroit Senator Morris W. Hood III also serves on this committee. The idea of having Hansen and Hood on a Detroit club ride or Slow Roll was pitched for next year. (We’re working on that!)
And the resolution? It passed unanimously. It’s now must go before the entire Senate where we expect it to pass as well. While the resolution doesn’t include money to get the trail built, it does raise the greenways profile in Lansing. We expect one or two Joe Louis Greenway project grants will be before the Michigan Senate early next year.

As we left the committee, we ran into Detroit State Representative Leslie Love, who’s also an active bicyclist. She posted this selfie on Facebook. As it turns out, she has mutual friends in other clubs.
It sounds like our legislator ride for next year just grew!