Bryan Waldman represents Bike Law Michigan and advocates for rights of cyclists across Detroit. With his local expertise, we have created our snapshot of biking in Detroit. Have something to add? Let us know!
BIKING IN DETROIT
The Motor City is fast becoming known as “Detroit Bike City.” Once the automobile manufacturing center of the world, Detroit is now the home of the only American mass-production bicycle factory, Detroit Bikes. For roughly four years, the company has been producing affordable commuter bikes at its 50,000 square-foot factory on Detroit’s west side, including a fleet for New Belgium Brewery. Earlier this year, Detroit Bikes entered into a contract with Motivate, the nation’s leading bike-share operator, to assemble its bicycles, which are being used in New York, Boston, and Jersey City.
Detroit’s transformation from a city that mass-produced automobiles, to a city that is now mass-producing bicycles, is symbolic of the city’s transformation from a community that was adverse to any form of transportation other than the automobile, to one that embraces alternative forms of transportation, most significantly -- the bicycle. Just seven years ago, the city had absolutely no bike lanes. Today, Detroit has well over 150 miles of bike lanes. Slow Roll Detroit is a weekly Monday night ride that attracts over 3,000 riders each week and has introduced (or re-introduced) thousands of people to the joy of cycling.
DETROIT BIKING SNAPSHOT
Cool bike facilities:
The Dequindre Cut, a below-street level path that connects Detroit’s riverfront, eastern market, and residential neighborhoods.
The International Velodrome at Bloomer Park is an outdoor 1/8 of a mile outdoor track in Rochester Hills. (www.ivbp.org).
Detroit Bike Shops
Motorless City Bicycle Co. (Eastern Market) (www.motorlesscitybikes.com)
Metropolis Cycles (Corktown) (www.metropoliscycles.bike)
The Hub of Detroit (Cass Corridor) (www.thehubofdetroit.org)
Suburban Detroit Bike Shops
American Cycle and Fitness (Gross Pointe, Macomb Township, Walled Lake) (www.americancycleandfitness.com)
The Bicycle Doctor (Hazel Park)
Kinetic Systems Bicycles (www.kineticsystemsbicycles.com)
Bicycle Clubs
Wolverine Sports Club: A bicycle and speed skating club that has produced numerous elite athletes, including Frankie Andreu, who competed in the Tour de France nine times, and one of our favorite elite athletes, Kelly Paterson, a three-time State of Michigan Cyclocross Champion. (www.wolverinesportsclub.com)
Cadieux Bicycle Club – founded at the historic Cadieux Café on Detroit’s east side, the Club has been active in sponsoring races throughout the city for five decades. The Club’s racing team is also known as “Team O2” [and for 52 years has sponsored the Debaets Devos Pro-Am Memorial Bicycle Race. This year, the team will also sponsor a Criterium in Corktown, on Saturday, August 13. (www.cadieuxbicycleclub.com)]
Downriver Cycling Club - (www.downrivercycling.org)
Clinton River Riders – (www.lmb.org/crr/)
Detroit Randonneurs – (www.detroitrandonneurs.org)
Flying Rhino Cycling Club – (www.flyingrhinocc.com)
Recurring Rides
Slow Roll Detroit occurs every Monday night and is a slow-paced social ride that draws over 3,000 riders each week. Additionally, there are numerous recurring rides every night of the week sponsored by various bicycle clubs and organizations. Those looking to participate in recurring group rides can obtain more information from the bicycle clubs noted above.
Organized Rides
Blue Water Ramble - sponsored by the Clinton River Riders, this is one of the area’s most popular rides, which includes views of the St. Clair River and a ferry ride onto Harsens Island. (www.lmb.org/crr/bwr2016.html)
Metro Grand Spring Tour – sponsored by the Downriver Cycling Club, this event marks the beginning of Michigan’s cycling season. (www.downrivercycling.org/mgst)
Tour de Troit – a ride through the City of Detroit, which attracts over 6,000 riders. (www.tour-de-troit.org)
The Baroudeur – Wayne State University’s organized ride to raise money for student scholarships. (www.baroudeur.wayne.edu)
Mountain Biking
The Potawatomi Trail, at the Pinckney State Recreation Area, is about a 50-minute drive from the City of Detroit, but well worth the trip. The trail is a 17.6 mile loop that can be challenging even for the most experienced mountain biker. Additionally, the Potawatomi Trail will soon be connected with the Waterloo Trail. (www.potomba.org)
Island Lake Recreation Area – a bit closer to Detroit, less challenging than the Potawatomi Trail, and has a nine mile and six mile loop.
Road Racing
Wednesday Night Worlds – sponsored by the Flying Rhino Cycling Club, held on eight Wednesday nights throughout the summer at the Waterford Hills Road Racing Track. (www.flyingrhinocc.com)
Debaets Devos Criterium – sponsored by the Cadieux Bicycle Club for 52 years, the race is currently held in Auburn Hills, during the month of August. (www.cadieuxbicycleclub.com\race\debaets-devos-pro-am)
Corktown Criterium – the inaugural Corktown Criterium is also sponsored by Team O2/Cadieux Bicycle Club and will be held in August. (www.cadieuxbicycleclub.com\race\corktown\criterium)
Gravel Racing
Dirt Road Derby – a 35-mile dirt road race in Oxford. (www.facebook.com\Dirtroadderby)
Cyclocross Races
Mad Anthony CX – the most popular cyclocross race in Michigan. This annual event is held at Detroit’s historic Fort Wayne. Riders race around the perimeter of the fort and enter the fort through a tunnel, after a challenging descent into the fort’s moat. (www.madanthonycx.org)
Detroit Invitational – an unsanctioned race which takes place each November at Dorais Park, featuring a tequila shortcut and finishes on an old cement velodrome.
If you would like Bike Law to come speak to your club or at your shop, please contact us.
