Within the last year or so, bike lanes have sprung up around Detroit, including one that runs right past the Michigan Chronicle building.
Bicycling seems to have made a resurgence in a city known for decades for cars. In addition to the existing bike lanes, a recent article at wearemodeshift.org described a 26-mile route called the “Detroit Inner Circle Greenway” that would connect the Dequindre Cut (a former railroad line), the Detroit RiverWalk, the 17.2 mile Southwest Detroit Greenlink and other such paths.
What’s more, the organization Detroit Bike City offers, among other things, weekly rides and tours. The Monday night group rides are called “Slow Rolls.” These run from 7 to 10 p.m.
Another organization, Detroit Critical Mass, meets the last Friday of every month at Trumbull and Warren.
There’s also the nonproift Tour de Troit, which, according to its websie, “promotes and encourages bicycling and bicycle safety through education, public events, collaboration with community and government organizations and support for non-motorized infrastructure.” The 2013 Tour de Troit ride will take place on Sept. 21.
What’s more, the companies Detroit Bikes and Shinola both chose to build bicycles in Detroit.
The League of American Bicyclists reports Michigan is the 12th most bicycle friendly state and has eight bicycle friendly communities. It also gave a “gold award” to the Hub of Detroit, the retail shop of the community-based Back Alley Bikes.
Earlier this year, the Huffington post reported that Wayne State University and other entities were conducting a feasibility study regarding a bike sharing program in Detroit. Such systems exist in about 30 U.S. cities, according to the Huffington Post.
According to Detroitbicycleshare.com, the bike sharing idea is still in the exploratory stage, but visitors to the site are encouraged to indicate where they’d like to see bike share stations.
Locations already suggested include the Dequindre Cut entrance, Rivard Plaza, the Detroit Zoo, the Warren City Hall, Eastern Market and Campus Martius.
