Community Corner
Photos: 2013 Green Cruise Gives Power to the People
"The message here is it's important to promote sustainable policies that will make this a livable planet," Mayor Dave Coulter says of the Woodward Dream Cruise alternative and celebration of human-powered transit Saturday in Ferndale.
The ninth-annual Green Cruise celebrated human-powered transit and environmental awareness Saturday in Ferndale.
The event, which was put on by the Sierra Club and sponsored by a number of Ferndale businesses, included several bike rides, a parade, children's activities and vendors along a portion of Nine Mile Road just east of Woodward Avenue.
The first Green Cruise was held in 2005 as a protest against the annual Woodward Dream Cruise classic car parade; the latter event this year is expected to attract more than 40,000 automobiles to Woodward Avenue on Aug. 17.
Phil and Mary Messana of Macomb Township were among the parade participants Saturday and said the Green Cruise has grown each since its inception, as have local recycling, electric car use and environmental awareness.
"Nationally, we've got that political separation – the two political ideologies that are struggling with each other – and I think that struggle has slowed down what this movement is trying to accomplish," Phil Messana said.
Mayor Dave Coulter said the Green Cruise keeps the focus on Earth-friendly policies.
"I love this event and it's such a nice contrast to the Dream Cruise," Coulter said. "I love the Dream Cruise, but the message here is it's important to promote sustainable policies that will make this a livable planet."
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