Lisa Nuszkowski, Executive Director Detroit Bike Share talks about the recent Open Streets Detroit, part of a global initiative to reclaim public space by temporarily transforming streets into paved parks and public spaces.

Lisa shares how the Open Streets Detroit opened the nearly four miles of continuous roadway on Michigan Ave. (US 12) and Vernor Highway to create space for healthy activities, community building, and connection to local retail by closing it to motorized traffic. People were able to experience Michigan Ave and Vernor Ave in a new way, whether by walking, running, biking, rollerblading, or skateboarding and bringing ethnic neighborhoods together.

Open Streets is a event under the Downtown Detroit Partnership. It was presented by DTE Energy Foundation but it was the many groups and organizations that made it work

There was complementary programming at locations along the route- yoga, dancing, basketball, and other health and wellness activities.
Lisa shares the long-term vision of making Open Streets Detroit a regular program that highlights other streets and neighborhoods throughout Detroit and reflects the changes in Detroit that are creating so many recreational and non motorized activities.

Lisa talks about the soon to be Detroit Bike Share Program and the goals of the program modeled after programs which are becoming popular nationwide

Emily comments on the new Kailua-Kona Bike Share stations set up in Kailua- Kona at Huggo's, Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel and Hale Halawai. PATH, People's Advocacy Trail's Hawaii under direction of Executive Director Tina Clothier and the County of Hawaii have been leading the efforts for the Kailua-Kona Bike Share Program.

Emily comments on the commonality of recreational activities in Detroit and Hawaii and talks about Slow Roll Detroit, a weekly bike ride co-founded by Jason Hall and Mike McKool and run by volunteers with several thousand + bicyclists riding through the streets of Detroit on Monday nights.

I enjoy sharing these stories. Detroit, Hawaii, all communities are continually going through sociological challenges regarding how to transform into communities that co exist and encourage use of non motorized vehicles. Sharing the stories I feel highlights how similar our communities are ...


Emily T Gail Shows are available 24/7 at espnhawaii.com under the lineup tab, as a free iTunes podcast and on facebook.com/Emily T Gail. For information contact emily at [email protected] or 808 896-6780.