http://jalopnik.com/#!57601...ile-down-the-freeway

Justin Hyde — Detroit is so deserted you can snowmobile down the freeway It's not that a pack of snowmobiles can comfortably take to the streets of Detroit in winter that amazes us about this video. It's that Detroit has become so empty, snowmobiles can now also hit the freeways.

Detroit is so deserted you can snowmobile down the freeway You can read the boilerplate in any story about Detroit from the past ten years; after hitting a peak population of 1.8 million in 1950, the city has slowly lost half its populace, and will be lucky to stay above 900,000 when the new count comes out this year.

Parts of the city have been abandoned long enough to return to nature and spur hunting of pheasants and foxes; last week, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing unveiled a plan to lure police officers to move back within city limits by offering them homes for $1,000, along with $150,000 for renovations.

Detroit is so deserted you can snowmobile down the freeway We were fans of the Chrysler Super Bowl ad talking up Detroit because Detroit deserves the kind of self-promotion most other cities take for granted. But there's a flip side; the city remains stuck in crisis, and getting better will mean generating enough traffic to make snowmobiling up the Lodge Freeway a little less appealing.

Wow....you can't tell what time it was but I only saw three cars and NO pedestrians in the entire clip....that's amazing for any major city at ANY time of day.

Disconcerting to say the least.

Not the same town i remember visiting back in the late 80s when we came down from flint to see the autoshow ( was working for GM and spent one xmas up in Flint due to the job. )

I hear Gary ( indiana ) isnt doing much better

[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 02-15-2011).]

Now THAT's Pure Michigan

Gary's been dead for years, though, and is not quite half the size of metro Detroit population-wise.

Gary Indiana has an airport large enough to accommodate most of the smaller commercial jets....but no one wants to fly in there despite a rather aggressive marketing campaign and the fact that it's more convenient to Chicago than O'Hare. You can see it just to the north of the Indiana Toll Road/Chicago Skyway.

quote Originally posted by Doni Hagan: Wow....you can't tell what time it was but I only saw three cars and NO pedestrians in the entire clip....that's amazing for any major city at ANY time of day. Disconcerting to say the least.

It was 3 am Feb 3 during a snow storm that dropped 9-15 inches of snow that was touted to have more.

Well, to be honest, Detroit has a terrible image. The center of a dying industry, high taxes, no jobs, race relations issues, organized crime allegations, extreme weather and the list goes on. About the only way it could be worse is if it was part of California and their state government.
I'm not trying to flame Detroit or Michigan, it simply has a huge amount of issues to overcome. Folks are moving away from that area like rats on a sinking ship. It's not all about image but, there's a lot to be said for being an attractive place to raise your kids. Unfortunately, most folks don't think it is.

------------------
Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 02-15-2011).]

I'm sorry Detroit has a lot of problems and I'd be the first to say they are not helping with the policies they've embraced but you could do this in downtown Chicago at 3am after a snowstorm also.
Only thing Detroit seems to be lacking is the cops patrolling which they probably can't afford.

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Well, to be honest, Detroit has a terrible image. The center of a dying industry, high taxes, no jobs, race relations issues, organized crime allegations, extreme weather and the list goes on. About the only way it could be worse is if it was part of California and their state government. I'm not trying to flame Detroit or Michigan, it simply has a huge amount of issues to overcome. Folks are moving away from that area like rats on a sinking ship. It's not all about image but, there's a lot to be said for being an attractive place to raise your kids. Unfortunately, most folks don't think it is.

Not to mention gangs, All I heard about when I was a kid in Illinois was how bad the gangs were in Detroit.

Brad

I'd go be a cop there IF they paid me $150,000 per year, tax-free. Or after taxes. Same result either way.

I've been to Detroit a few times. It is pretty bad looking even downtown. I was there after dark too and it was dead but it's not like it was a mad max movie either.
Illinoisans and Chicagoan like to exaggerate how bad Detroit is because of the regional rivalry and also to feel better about our own urban wastelands.
Also they're sports teams suck or cheat depending on how well they are doing.

I"ve never been snowmobiling before. Is there a reason the guy was standing the whole time?

quote Originally posted by Scottzilla79: I've been to Detroit a few times.... I was there after dark too and it was dead but it's not like it was a mad max movie either.

I agree. I've been to some pretty awful parts of Detroit at night and no one was around. Not a soul. Surreal. Hardly the "bullets flying everywhere" that everyone who has never been there THINKS is what its like. (I'm sure I could find trouble if I kept looking, but I'm not that crazy LOL)

quote Originally posted by 86fierofun: I"ve never been snowmobiling before. Is there a reason the guy was standing the whole time?

better view? Not sure, I see a few people around here do that and all I think is that it will just take a bump and they will fly off.

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: http://jalopnik.com/#!57601...ile-down-the-freeway Justin Hyde — Detroit is so deserted you can snowmobile down the freeway It's not that a pack of snowmobiles can comfortably take to the streets of Detroit in winter that amazes us about this video. It's that Detroit has become so empty, snowmobiles can now also hit the freeways.

Man... poor Detroit. I wish I could be the Governor of Michigan for just one term... I would do everything I could to turn that **** -hole around. I'd probably get killed by a union hired gun, but I'd really push to make Michigan a "right to work" state. I know they've pretty much tried to do everything they can, as in lowering corporate taxes and whatnot... but it almost feels like it's too late. It never is too late though... but Michigan will need drastic, I mean DRASTIC policy change. Really not something a single governor could do. You essentially need to drastically slash the budget there too, eliminate union protectionist laws, and then beg the businesses to come back...

------------------
Todd,
2008 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x2
2002 Ford Explorer Sport 2dr 4x2
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: better view? Not sure, I see a few people around here do that and all I think is that it will just take a bump and they will fly off.

It actually makes it easier to handle the bumps, the impact is absorbed by your knees instead of your butt.

Motorcyclists tend to use a similar behavior as well, although they typically stay only an inch or two off the seat, so you may not even notice it if you're not paying close attention.

------------------
Nick www.naskie18.com GoogleTalk: naskie18 AIM: naskie18

quote Originally posted by naskie18: It actually makes it easier to handle the bumps, the impact is absorbed by your knees instead of your butt. Motorcyclists tend to use a similar behavior as well, although they typically stay only an inch or two off the seat, so you may not even notice it if you're not paying close attention.

funny, because it is not like these guys are on a trail with bumps.. they are on the sidewalk and freeway (well I guess the freeway could be bumpy).

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: BTW... anyone see that someone raised enough money for a Robocop statue in Detroit? Really? Is this what Detroit needs? Sigh.... I could think of many other places to spend $50K

http://detroitneedsrobocop.com/

yup

3am?

There's probably parts of Houston you can walk down the freeways at that time as well--but not I-10 or the 610 loop.
I've seen pics of those highways tho, as Hurricane Ike closely approached, that were also eerily deserted, so i guess that would be comparable to a huge snowstorm in Detroit.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: funny, because it is not like these guys are on a trail with bumps.. they are on the sidewalk and freeway (well I guess the freeway could be bumpy).

Yeah, I understand that there's times to do it, but based on that video, it sure doesn't seem like they needed to.

First off, I built most of the stainless steel fencing at Riverfront Park.

Second, sledding in Detroit in those sonditions would be awesome! If it weren't for the snow, those guys would NOT be just casually strolling through those areas at night for shats and giggles. That is a cool idea to come up with during those conditions.

Tony

quote Originally posted by css9450: http://detroitneedsrobocop.com/

110% funded $55,001 pledged 37 days left

quote Like it or hate it, a RoboCop statue soon could be coming to Detroit. Tuesday evening, organizers met their goal of raising $50,000, just six days after the whimsical campaign began. Pete Hottelet, an Oakland, Calif., advertising entrepreneur, pushed the campaign to its goal, donating $25,000 online. The 32-year-old said he saw the effort as an opportunity to help Detroit. "Detroit has an amazing history, and it's one of those places where something like this fits in." The average contribution, from 1,500 people, was about $17, according to Corktown resident Jerry Paffendorf, one of the RoboCop campaign leaders. By 11 a.m. Wednesday, the campaign had raised $50,626 and there's still 38 days to go, according to the kickstarter.com, the website that was used to raise funds. "People were really interested in making something happen in Detroit," Paffendorf said. The statue of the half-man, half-cyborg crime fighter immortalized in a 1987 movie would appear on privately owned land near the Michigan Central Depot downtown. The initiative began as something of a lark last week, when Mayor Dave Bing responded to a question on Twitter and said the city has no plans to build a RoboCop statue. It has since generated national media attention and substantial debate within Detroit between those who believe a statue is fun and could be a tourist attraction and those who believe it is silly idea at best and condescending reminder of the city's crime problems at worst. Here's an interesting and humorous interpretation of what the statue might look like by Detroit News graphic artist Rob L'Heureux: Paffendorf, 29, of Detroit said he hopes the RoboCop campaign inspires residents and leads to other projects. "If people can raise money for something like RoboCop, then they can do it for their neighborhoods or their schools," Paffendorf said. "Sometimes it takes a RoboCop to open up the consciousness of these things.

That area is not an ideal tourist area...

quote Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: That area is not an ideal tourist area...

Oh but its right by Slow's BBQ!

Watching this, I had to think this was the night of that huge snowstorm that practically paralyzed the Detroit area, as well as being in the wee hours of the morning, when no one in their right mind would be out in the city, well I was right. I looked at the YouTube page, and here is what was posted.

quote Since the news has sent this video from 2,000 views to 25,000 views overnight, I thought it best to clear up a few things. (1) This trip was at 3am in the middle of Detroit's largest snow storm of 2011, therefore, there was little traffic on the roads for us to interfere with other commuters (2) Despite the illusion of the video, all posted speed limits were obeyed. The vehicles that were passed, were traveling well below speed limits due to the snow on the roads, no wreck-less driving occurred.

quote Originally posted by css9450: Oh but its right by Slow's BBQ!

They have another one now!!

Slows to go
4107 Cass Ave, Detroit

quote Originally posted by WingNut - MD: Watching this, I had to think this was the night of that huge snowstorm that practically paralyzed the Detroit area, as well as being in the wee hours of the morning, when no one in their right mind would be out in the city, well I was right. I looked at the YouTube page, and here is what was posted. [QUOTE]Since the news has sent this video from 2,000 views to 25,000 views overnight, I thought it best to clear up a few things. (1) This trip was at 3am in the middle of Detroit's largest snow storm of 2011, therefore, there was little traffic on the roads for us to interfere with other commuters (2) Despite the illusion of the video, all posted speed limits were obeyed. The vehicles that were passed, were traveling well below speed limits due to the snow on the roads, no wreck-less driving occurred.

[/QUOTE]

If they traveled on the freeway, they broke a law as snowmobiles are not approved for freeway use. I am sure there is an ordinance about snowmobiles within the city also, which they broke another law. Didn't one of them have a child with them? I can't remember at this moment.

The city was no less deserted than any other city that was hit by that storm. The weather channel was showing chicago and several other cities and you would not see any other traffic there either.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: 3am? There's probably parts of Houston you can walk down the freeways at that time as well--but not I-10 or the 610 loop. I've seen pics of those highways tho, as Hurricane Ike closely approached, that were also eerily deserted, so i guess that would be comparable to a huge snowstorm in Detroit.

Oh, hell...at 3am the 401 thru Toronto (all 16 lanes) are deserted more or less.......busiest highway in North America, and at 3am ya could ghost-ride a vehicle if ya were so inclined.

Peter Weller Pokes Fun at RoboCop Statue Idea

Updated: Monday, 28 Feb 2011, 5:25 PM EST
Published : Monday, 28 Feb 2011, 5:21 PM EST

myFOXDetroit.com Staff Report

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - Plans are in the works for a RoboCop statue in Detroit. We introduced you to one of the artists behind the concept recently on FOX 2. Now, RoboCop himself is talking about it.

Peter Weller's taken to the internet to poke fun at the campaign to build the movie monument in the Motor City.

"Regrettably, not all of you see the wisdom of this tribute to the spirit of your city, specifically your mayor, David Bing, who said the idea is silly," says the actor, who played RoboCop in the 1987 movie, in a video posted on the Funny or Die website. "Well Mayor Bing, if that, in fact, is your real name, was it silly when Murphy sacrificed his very identity to fight crime? Was it silly when Murphy cleaned up drugs in Detroit to save the city from being demolished? Was it silly when Murphy battled the super robot Cain and tore out his human brain with his bare hands? All you could see was his spinal cord all wiggling around and stuff and Cain was screaming … all for you citizens of Detroit."

He then puts on a makeshift RoboCop helmet and adds, "I don't find it silly at all."

We've told you Mayor Bing does not support the idea. Weller disagrees. He thinks Detroit deserves RoboCop.

http://www.funnyordie.com/v...list=featured_videos

http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/5b0g

quote "Regrettably, not all of you see the wisdom of this tribute to the spirit of your city, specifically your mayor, David Bing, who said the idea is silly," says the actor, who played RoboCop in the 1987 movie, in a video posted on the Funny or Die website. "Well Mayor Bing, if that, in fact, is your real name, was it silly when Murphy sacrificed his very identity to fight crime? Was it silly when Murphy cleaned up drugs in Detroit to save the city from being demolished? Was it silly when Murphy battled the super robot Cain and tore out his human brain with his bare hands? All you could see was his spinal cord all wiggling around and stuff and Cain was screaming … all for you citizens of Detroit."

LOL Does Weller think the movie was based on a true story?

I work in the powersports business, and to be honest snowmobiles have the best "rights" when it comes to how and where there operated! Most lakes (when frozen) hold unsanctioned snowmobile races where the sleds with every pass down the strip go over and well beyond the 55mph limit of any lake, with the DNR sitting and spectating themselves! If you were to have a quad or an ice bike out there doing that, im sure the tickets would fly! Snowmobiling is legal down any side of roads that dont have it specificly posted "not to be snowmobiling" as ive snowmobiled downtown jackson Mi many times during snow storms, only to stop and chat with policeman who were going no where in there cruisers! I guess the point i see in the video about breaking laws....yea maybe they were, but does anyone here see any real harm done?? I sure dont! Given the chance id probobly do it myself! Plus, as if any police cruiser were actually going to make an effort at 3am in those conditions to stop what looks to me, atleast 4 snowmobilers?? I dont think so.

quote Originally posted by LuckyStrike: but does anyone here see any real harm done?? I sure dont! .

So as long as there's no "real harm done". laws don't apply?

I'll try that the next time I get pulled over doing 90 on 75, and let you know how that defense goes for me.

you still didnt answer the question! lmao!

quote Originally posted by LuckyStrike: you still didnt answer the question! lmao!

I said the next time I get ticketed doing 90....so its happened in the past...does that answer your question?

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: Oh, hell...at 3am the 401 thru Toronto (all 16 lanes) are deserted more or less.......busiest highway in North America, and at 3am ya could ghost-ride a vehicle if ya were so inclined.

thats why we left... the traffic is horrible... especially on the don valley parkinglot .... montreal is soooooo much better
jon

------------------
I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

quote Originally posted by naskie18: I said the next time I get ticketed doing 90....so its happened in the past...does that answer your question?

i suppose is does...i was just trying to make a simple point! Its like pulling into the road and doing a smokey burnout...we've all more than likely done it..yes its illegal, but did it really harm anyone?? i really didnt mean to ruffle any feathers here!