Need to Know: Ferndale Green Cruise is Saturday

There's a different kind of cruise coming to town a week ahead of the Woodward Dream Cruise on Aug. 18.

The eighth annual Ferndale Green Cruise will be held Saturday. The family-friendly event hosted by the Sierra Club aims to celebrate the forms of human-powered transit that help keep people and the planet healthy.

All Green Cruise events will be held at or begin at the "Green Alley" just west of Woodward Avenue at Nine Mile Road and Planavon Street. The event is free.

Here's what is planned:

Bicycle rides

• 8 a.m.: 40-mile Detroit Ride (fast pace).
• 9 a.m.: 22-mile Suburan Ride (moderate pace).
• 1 p.m.: 4-mile Family Ride (easy pace); riders younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Walk, parade

• 10 a.m.: 5-kilometer walk.
• Noon: Half-mile Human-Powered Green Parade starting on West Nine Mile Road. Participants are welcome to dress up in costumes and decorate their bikes. Gather in the Green Alley at 11:30 a.m. to be in the parade.

Climb, crafts and more

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Test your skills on the 25-foot rock-climbing tower, check out crafts, face painting, sidewalk chalk and more. Free food, refreshments and massages will be available.
• 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Free bicycle tune-ups offered.

Helmets and signed waivers are required to participate in the bike rides. To download the waiver or for more information on the Green Cruise, visit the event's Facebook page or the Green Cruise website.

Source: Green Cruise web site.