Bicyclists Enjoy Progressive Dinner on Wheels

Nearly two dozen dedicated bicyclists peddled their way around town Thursday evening for Spring Rolls 2011, a progressive dinner on wheels  – all in the name of exercise, fun, good food and non-motorized transportation.

Despite gray skies and temperatures that dove into the 30s, the bikers rode to restaurants in Royal Oak, Clawson and Berkley.

The group started with before-dinner drinks at in Royal Oak, where it also got an update from Royal Oak City Planner Douglas Hedges on the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan, designed to make Royal Oak more inviting to bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit users. The city has been working with Active Transportation Alliance of Chicago and expects to present their final plan at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting, said Royal Oak cyclist Tom Regan, who can often be seen riding around the area on his recumbent bicycle.

"According to Mr. Hedges, the final plan will contain many of the recommendations we made at the (public) October meeting, including road diets, 'share the road' signs, bicycle routes and bicycle boulevards," Regan said. "After that it is up to us to convince the City Commission to implement the changes. I'm very confident that we are going to succeed in making Royal Oak a bike- and pedestrian-friendly city."

From Lily's, the cyclists headed to . at 14 Mile and Main in Clawson for appetizers, then on to  on Woodward in Royal Oak for the main course. Dessert was at  on Coolidge in Berkley, which  stayed open late just for the occasion.

"The night was great fun. We're going to do another one later this spring or in early summer," Regan said. "I believe that eventually this will grow into a community event with hundreds or even thousands of participants. All it takes to participate is a bicycle and a few bucks for food and drink."

To learn more about the Royal Oak Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and future events, check out its Facebook page.