Detroit Bikes! - Two Wheeled Tours of the "Motor City"
3rd Annual Detroit Bikes!™ To Work Day
Two roundtrip rides into downtown Detroit, Campus Martius Park.
Join the Ride close to your home! For each route, there are MULTIPLE stations to join the ride between the listed starting point and downtown. Additional stations will be posted soon.
First station along each route:
- May 16th – Royal Oak – via Woodward
- May 23rd – Dearborn – via Michigan
Rides arrive at Campus Martius Park by 8am. Evening return at 5:30pm.
Timings and Stations information: http://www.detroitsynergy.org/projects/biketoworkday/
To volunteer on the ride or for questions, contact Alex at detroitbikes@detroitsynergy.org .
Detroit Bikes! 2008 Schedule of Events - As of 01/15/08
| Date | Event | Starting Location |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 8th, 2008 – |
WWJ's "Pedal for Power" to Benefit THAW of SE Michigan |
Inside the lobby of the Boll Family YMCA, Downtown Detroit, (near the intersection of Broadway and John R.) |
| April 12th, 2008 |
4th Annual |
East |
| May 3rd, 2008 |
2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Mexicantown Bike Tour |
Clark |
| June 7th, 2008 |
2nd Annual Tour de Arts |
Woodward Entrance of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), |
| June 28, 2008 |
3rd Annual Jazzin on Jefferson – |
the Detroit Synergy Tent @ Jazzin on Jefferson, (Festival operates on |
| July, 2008 |
2nd Annual Cruise in Detroit™ Bike Tour Series – Model A |
East |
| August 2nd, 2008 | 3rd Annual Tour de Dearborn – |
TBA |
| August, 2008 | 2nd Annual Cruise in Detroit™ Bike Tour Series – Model B | University of |
| September, 2008 | 7th Annual Tour De Troit | Roosevelt Park - Michigan Ave. and 14th, Corktown, Detroit |
| September, 2008 | TBA | TBA |
| October 4th, 2008 |
3rd Annual Old |
The Old |
| October 25th, 2008 |
3rd Annual Urban Legends (Haunted) Bike Ride of |
East |
| TBA |
2nd Annual Java Junkett |
TBA |
| MAY 2008! | Detroit Bikes! to Work Month | TBA |
**Note: Dates may change due to conflicts, weather, or other conditions. Please be sure to review the Detroit Synergy Calendar located in the upper right hand corner of this page to confirm that dates, times, rain dates, updated event information and descriptions are as scheduled.
What is Detroit Bikes?
Our goal is to become a volunteer group that:
-Identifies opportunities, existing groups/businesses and special events that promote city cycling.
- Educates both young and old of the benefits of cycling as a means of transit, along with understanding proper bike safety and maintenance.
- Promotes the potential of a dynamic city of cyclists with activities to create an awareness of biking. Our groups' actions create the push for cycling infrastructure, and our events benefit those who share the goal of a diverse, and healthy city of transit, recreation and positive energy.
What can one expect from a Detroit Bikes! tour?
Our guests can expect to gain a unique appreciation of Detroit, whether they live in the city, were one time residents, or just lived through stories of the old neighborhood from parents or grandparents. Best of all, Detroit Bikes! and Detroit Synergy gives back positive energy for the city and our group makes all attempts to bring together all interested individuals who want to be involved in the future of Detroit's city cycling scene, the opportunity to participate and lead by example.
A Detroit Bikes! tour is excellent for those interested in cycling through Detroit's great historic neighborhoods, or for cyclists whom enjoy seeing Detroit's destinations at a more personal scale. Our group tour provides an avenue to make the urban lifestyle accessible in one of the most important cities that changed the 20th century. Simply put, a bike tour with Detroit Bikes! can become a history lesson about the "Modernization" of the American Metropolis, while leaving urban explorers with the mode of transit necessary to truly experience a city full of transformation.
For those whom have deemed themselves not interested in cycling, consider Detroit Synergy's multitude of events and projects including: Discussing Differences, Project Clean, Pub Crawls, Third Thursday and much more. Visit our hosts website www.detroitsynergy.org
Detroit Bikes! Tour and Event Requirements
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Bike
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Bike Helmet
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Water Bottle with hydrating liquid (non-alcholic) in container
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Any money you plan to use during a bakery stop
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An attitude to have fun, because it's the weekend
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Complete understanding of the Detroit Bikes! Road Rules (see 16 rules below)
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Punctuality - Detroit Bikes! tours will leave within 5-10 minutes after start time. Please be at the start point on time and ready to sign a liability waiver.
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Patience
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Appropriate and respectful social manners, especially towards others and the group.
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An appreciation that this is a non-profit group and event.
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Donations are appreciated, with funds going towards safety and repair items, bottled water for reserve situations, and other group related interests like first aid, or bike to work day, etc.
Winter Cycling Tips
Cycling in the cold months of winter does not have to be miserable. In fact, it can be quite fun. Having this mythical-sounding winter-biking fun, however, requires certain things. Chief among these is the right attitude – determination to have fun. Not a grim determination (We don’t like grim! Boo!) but a cheerful, ain’t-nobody-or-nuthin-gonna-stop-me determination to enjoy yourself. After all, you’re doing this because you want to, not because you have to. Otherwise you’d be sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace or throwing back shots at the bar. To go with the have-fun attitude, you need some thought and preparation. This preparation mostly falls into two categories: clothing and riding.
Click Here for Winter Biking Tips
Rules of the Road
We do have a few rules that we want you to follow while participating as well. Please understand that by signing the liability waiver at the event site, you will be accepting to abide to these rules.
1. Wear brightly colored clothing for improved visibility
2. Wear a helmet that fits securely
3. Do not wear headphones
4. Stay together as a group – it’s not a race!
5. Obey all traffic laws
6. Use hand signals to communicate turns and stops
7. Ride with traffic
8. Stay as far to the right as comfortably possible, with no more than two bikes abreast
9. Pass only on left and announce passing to other riders
10. Watch for cars at intersections and driveways, including turning vehicles
11. Watch for car doors when passing parked cars
12. Watch for road hazards (glass, potholes, manholes)
13. Shout out road hazards to warn other cyclists
14. Ride friendly and be aware of traffic conditions
15. Secure your bike and belongings with a lock
16. Never argue with motorists. Share the road. When necessary, remember that motorists are unaware of their shortcomings, lack a brief history that includes the role bicycles played toward good roads, the making of the "quadricycle", and other advancements made possible by the bicycles contribution to auto-culture. Together let's enjoy a great Saturday morning!
We recommend but do not require that all riders carry a spare tube, tire levers, pump, and multi-tool. If the need for bike repairs should arise, never leave anyone alone on the route.
Something to consider: Our History
Believe it or not, you can make all the difference. When Detroit Bikes! started back in March 2005, the group was barely more than a informed idea. Around that same time, Detroit was labeled the "fattest city in America" by a national magazine, providing roots to create a coffee talk by about 25 individuals who wanted change Detroit, and put cycling at the forefront to that change. After a winter's deliberation, it became clear people create change, and that is why our group has to thank all the Detroit Synergy member's support over the past few years.
After a successful inaugerual tour of the Detroit Riverfront in April 2005, it was clear that Detroit needed a cycling group that welcomed both the cyclist who needed to dust off their bike, and for the lycra-wearing challenger that just wanted to enjoy a Saturday afternoon in the city with like-minded folks.
Since that first tour, Detroit Bikes! has aimed to improve Detroit's image by sharing the things real Detroiter's all can be proud of, and change the perception to include Detroit as "the Motor City on Two Wheels". Entering our 4th season, we have organized or partnered with over 30 bike tours and events. Detroit Bikes! has become a respected bike club in the area with more than hundreds (an estimated 500 or more) of cyclists participating in our events throughout the years.
On May 19th, 2006, Detroit Bikes! organized the city's first ever "Bike-to-Work Day." Traveling along America's first concrete mile, and the region's most important road, Woodward Avenue paved the way for cyclists to share the road and avoid high fuel costs at the price of $2.36/gallon. In 2007, Bike-to-Work Days connected Michigan Avenue and Woodward Avenue cyclists to get downtown while saving $2.86/gallon of fuel. In 2008, expect Bike-to-Work Month in May to connect more Detroiters to their jobs, and help the environment in the process.
In short, Detroit Bikes! wants to thank you for putting our city on the cycling map, and encourages all Detroiter's to get out their bike and cycle the city in 2008.
Detroit Bikes! 2008 - Project Team
(Clockwise from Upper Left to Right)
We Want YOU @ City Fest!
