Don’t expect normal.

Omnicorp Detroit hosted an Halloween-themed alleycat yesterday that ended with complementary human-powered haircuts. Yeah, turn the pedals and make that hair clipper buzz.

Trust us, it worked, but you may not want to try trimming your leg hair as you pedal.

Amelia Bloomer - underwear advocate

The good old days when government was smaller and didn’t interfere in everyones personal lives…

From the web site Jolique, which has an exhaustive amount of information on bicycling and bloomers:

Although both bloomers and bicycles were gaining popularity for women by the late nineteenth century, for some they were a dangerous combination. Many opposed both bicycling and bloomer-wearing on the bases of morality and a concern for the public good. For example, some opponents believed that by wearing “male dress” (i.e., bifurcated garments, later called “rational dress” or “alternative dress” by dress reform advocates) women would adopt other masculine traits, such as the desire for other women.

There was opposition to bloomers in Detroit, too.

It was Feburary 16th, 1897 during the Golden Age of Bicycling.

Detroit City Council had the third reading of some very critical legislation: “An ordinance to prohibit obstructing the views of persons in theaters halls or opera houses where theatrical performances are given and to provide a penalty therefor.”

Alderman Batchelder offered substitute language for this ordinance.

Sec 1. Any person who shall wear upon his or her head any hat bonnet or other covering for he head or wear sleeves which obstructs the view of any person or persons in any theater opera house or other place or building wnere theatrical or other performances are given where an admission fee is charged or in any church during services therein or in any restaurant during a feed

And any female bicycle rider caught wearing bloomers in the public streets or any street car conductor found flirting with female passengers while in the active performance of his duty as such shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall on conviction thereof for each offense pay a tine of not more than $10 nor less than $2

Apparently Batchelder had no issue with men bicycling in bloomers.

Nonetheless, there was no support for his substitute language and his proposal died. Female bicyclists in Detroit could still ride in bloomers (and flirty streetcar conductors were given a reprieve.)

The ordinance which penalized those obstructing views in theater halls and operas also failed on a 10-20 vote.

And people complain about today’s Detroit city council?

Detroiter Alice Cooper showed off his bike handling skills in this clip from the movie Prince of Darkness. No more Mr. Nice Guy.

So be a little extra careful if you’re riding your bike around town and have a safe Halloween.

With the weather taking a turn towards colder temperatures, it’s a great time to pull on a Halloween costume and bike with others.

There are two rides this weekend in Detroit.

Friday is the Critical Mass ride — this month called the Detroit Critical Massquerade. As usual, the ride leaves from Trumbull and Warren at around 7pm.

Saturday at 2pm is the Devils Night Alley Rat Costumed Bike Race. That ride meets outside The United Specialty Produce Door at 1501 Division near Riopelle in Eastern Market.

According to the flyer, there are “Trophies for Podium, DFL” and “Awards for Best/Worst Costume.”

The Free Press is reporting that the Ferndale Police Department arrested a suspected bike thief:

David Vincent McArthur, 36, a Ferndale resident, is to be arraigned on a four-year felony — larceny from a building; in this case, a garage — as well as on two counts of simple larceny, in the thefts of three bicycles within the span of about an hour, police said.

“Community policing is something that’s always been this department’s philosophy. We try to be in touch with what’s going on in the neighborhoods,” Lt. William Wilson said.

“So, we think going after a bike thief is just as important as nailing a bank robber, in terms of our residents’ feeling of security in their homes,” Wilson said.

The Daily Tribune also covered the story, adding:

“We suspect he has a drug habit and was stealing the bikes to trade them for small amounts of drugs,” said Ferndale police Lt. William Wilson.

Police report that 10 bicycles have been stolen in the city this month.

The man also is suspected of stealing bikes in Pleasant Ridge and Hazel Park.

Thanks to the Ferndale Police for taking bike theft seriously.

It’s also great to see that Ferndale has Police Mountain Bike officers on patrol. There’s perhaps no better way for police to understand traffic issues facing cyclists than by having officers experience them first-hand.