Detroit might be the Motor City but biking in Motown is growing. There are many opportunities to see the city on two wheels. Whether you are trying to save money, save the environment, get in shape, or just take a casual ride it’s time to get back on your bike.
Rest stop on Belle Isle during Tour de Troit. Photo from Rex Roof on Flickr.
There are new greenways, bike tours, and cycling events happening all summer. Here’s a quick rundown to get you started.
The Hub of Detroit is a full service bike shop in the Cass Corridor. The Hub sells bikes, accessories, and parts and they do bicycle repairs. But they are more than just a bike shop. They also have a great community outreach & educational program for both kids and adults such as the Earn-a-Bike and Learn-a-Bike programs.
Bikes at The Hub of Detroit. Photo from fhartha on Flickr.
Wheelhouse Detroit, located in the Rivard Plaza on the Detroit RiverWalk, makes cycling in Detroit easy and fun. They offer bike maintenance, rentals, and tours as well as a retail shop. They rent cruisers, hybrids, road bikes and tandems for adults and BMX bikes for kids. Wheelhouse also offers a variety of guided tours; learn about Detroit neighborhoods, architecture, food, and more all on two wheels. I SO want to rent a tandem and ride around the city!
The 2nd Annual Colin Hubbell Bike Ride is this Saturday, June 19th. The 12.5-mile ride takes cyclists through Midtown, Woodbridge, Corktown, downtown, and the Dequindre Cut. The ride begins and ends at the Traffic Jam and Snug. Proceeds from the ride will go to the Colin Hubbell Fund to support neighborhood and small business grants.
Detroit Bikes!, a part of Detroit Synergy, is having it’s 5th Annual Jazzin on Jefferson: Far East Side Ride. The 16-mile route will take riders through the neighborhoods, parks, greenways, and business districts that make up the Far East Side and end at the Jazzin on Jefferson Festival. Saturday, June 26th. You can join Detroit Synergy here and check out their other Detroit Bikes! events such as the Woodward Pedal Cruise.
Beat the Train meets at Historic Fort Wayne every Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. through October. It’s a 30-mile adventure through the streets of Detroit. They frequently ride through Del Ray, Mexicantown, Corktown, Woodbridge, Midtown, Indian Village, Belle Isle Heidelberg, and downtown but be prepared to go anywhere!
From their website:
Our mission is to promote safe cycling, physical fitness and a fun healthy lifestyle all in an urban environment. We plan on exploring historic and urban areas from a different vantage point, by Mountain Bike.
We believe the mere presence of bicyclist of all types in our city can only inspire others to adapt a fun and healthy lifestyle.
Tour de Troit, a leisurely, 30-mile, police escorted bike ride, is Saturday, September 25, 2010. The ride allows bike and city enthusiasts to explore Detroit’s historic areas and most breathtaking sights free of cars and traffic signs. Tour de Troit raises awareness of biking as a mode of transportation and publicizes the growing greenways network in the region.
Bike the Dequindre Cut.
If you’re looking to cycle off the city streets take a ride down the Dequindre Cut, around Belle Isle, or on the RiverWalk.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your bike and helmet and start pedaling!