Kelli Kavanaugh
By Tunde Wey
September 26, 2012
If contemporary Detroit has a singular social significance, it is perhaps its position as a former world-class industrial city forced out of necessity to reimagine old systems and redefine the whole of its identity -- “Motor City” as a moniker being a bit difficult to redefine. Particularly poetic is how Detroit’s transportation system is exploring more people-powered possibilities, partially forced by panic but also a reflection of drastically changing social values.
1956 saw the largest investment in public works in U.S. history with the building of the National Interstate Highway System. This approximately 43,000-mile system, a network of highways connecting disparate parts of the country, is in part credited with solidifying America’s industrial preeminence.
Today the
Corktown-Mexicantown-Southwest Detroit Greenlink, a 17.2-mile non-motorized bike lane system, is vying for similar future prominence. The narrow, white-marked bike lanes on Michigan Avenue, Vernor and West Grand Boulevard connect bikers between these three historically rich and diverse neighborhoods.
The Greenlink’s contemporary significance mirrors the much-heralded interstate highway system in that it represents a shift of consciousness. We are moving from a completely auto-centric transportation system to a more inclusive paradigm in which cars, bicycles, and pedestrian walkways all coexist harmoniously.
Another significance of the Greenlink is its funding sources. Along with the significant (if unsurprising) funding contributions from local foundations and government, the Greenlink is also a beneficiary of funding from
Tour de Troit (TdT), an annual bike ride event held every September. Through TdT, Detroit is demonstrating a true public + private financing model for public works projects.
Kelli Kavanaugh, co-director and seminal supporter of TdT, describes its mission as “promoting and encouraging bicycling and bicycle safety through education, public events, collaboration with community and government organizations and support for non-motorized infrastructure.” The non-motorized infrastructure support is the origin of the popular Tour de Troit. Ostensibly a bike ride through the city, TdT serves the more important purpose of an annual fundraiser to finance greenway development in Detroit and is the city’s largest cycling event.
TdT was started in 2002 by Edward Potas and Mike Kiwiecz. Initially started as a casual social event, the inaugural ride drew in just under a hundred riders. In 2005, the event was taken over by the Greater Corktown Development Corporation. At the time Kavanaugh was working at the Greater Corktown Development Corporation and suddenly found herself in charge of this event. Kavanaugh, along with a cohort of collaborators (including co-director Vittoria Kattanski and key support staff Karen Gage and Bil Lusa) have since successfully grown TdT from its humble beginnings to a massive operation.
This year’s TdT was the largest yet: 5,000 cyclists started at Roosevelt Park at the foot of the hulking remains of the Michigan Central Station and rode en masse through the streets of Detroit. Kavanaugh says that TdT “raises awareness of biking as a mode of transportation and publicizes the growing greenways network in the City of Detroit and all of Southeastern Michigan.” The event, which costs from $35 to $60 to participate, includes a popular afterparty at Roosevelt Park with live entertainment and food and drinks from Detroit restaurants and breweries.
TdT benefits from an increased interest in non-motorized transportation, a gradual shift in the public perception about commuting. But just as importantly it has benefited from the dedication of Kavanaugh and her crew of co-producers.
At only 36, Kavanaugh is a veteran of Detroit’s community and urban development movement. Kavanaugh moved to Detroit in 1994 to study civil engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy. Her interest in urban development developed after taking an urban planning course. Kavanaugh says her experience in the class highlighted for her the vital connection between civil engineering and city planning.
After graduating from college she decided on a career focused on community development. She worked for local organizations such as Corktown Citizens District Council and the Greater Corktown Development Corporation tackling issues like streetscape improvements, community organizing and greenway projects.
While Kavanaugh says her passion has always been working in the community on important issues of local consequence, the seven years she spent doing this work was tough. “I give so much credit to Community Development Corporations in Detroit,” she says. “There is so much grassroots planning in the city and it is really hard work, lots of hours.” Kavanaugh decided to formally leave community development work, choosing to spend her time writing for local publications. She describes this transition as allowing her to “just … to live in my neighborhood” - being more of a resident and less of an administrator. In 2008, Kavanaugh opened up
Wheelhouse Detroit along with business partner Karen Gage. Wheelhouse is a retail bicycle shop located in Rivard Plaza on the Detroit Riverfront. Along with selling bicycles they also offer bike tours, rentals, servicing and repairs.
Throughout this time Kavanaugh still kept active in the community, sitting on local community boards and planning Tour de Troit. Under her stewardship TdT has continued to grow in attendance and significance. For the first time this year TdT organizers were able to work with the city on closing the 30-mile course to automobile traffic. Having a closed course is important to grow the tour, which Kavanaugh believes could potentially expand and become an event on par with the Detroit Marathon, which draws an annual crowd of over 20,000.
Kavanaugh says TdT is unique because it funds a transparent and specific greenway project. The event has raised $100,000 for the Corktown-Mexicantown-Southwest Detroit Greenlink since 2005, and profits raised from this year’s TdT will go to
The GREEN Taskforce, a coalition of Detroit-based nonprofit groups working to create a network of greenways on Detroit’s greater riverfront east.
Ultimately for Kavanaugh, Tour de Troit is about community well-being. She says, “Individuals benefit because cycling is healthy and the city benefits because non-motorized transportation has a lot to do with the city’s inherent vitality; people on bikes make the city seem alive. Seeing people in cars doesn’t convey that same energy.”
Photograph by Marvin Shaouni Photography.