Time Magazine’s Detroit Blog finally visited the Dequindre Cut trail in Detroit.

These kinds of projects show what you can do with Detroit if you’ve got vision. And, baby, the future’s so bright…

This beauty opened in May 2009. It is formerly a Grand Trunk Western Railroad line on the city’s East side. Hence it is located below street level, giving it that peaceful, serene air. I hate to compare anything in Detroit to Chicago, but here goes. It felt similar to that lovely green stretch along Lakeshore in Chicago, where everyone strolls, jogs and bikes to distraction. It’s what “real” cities need.

Yes, it is great.

And it’s pleasantly surprising how quickly people from all over the area have learned about this trail, except for Time Magazine.

One favorite example is when Lt. Governor John Cherry opened the Detroit Greenways map and immediately asked, “Now where’s that Dequindre Cut?”

It’s just from Atwater to Gratiot, but with a bit more state money, Lt. Governor, we could extend it around the entire city.

Eric Sharp, Outdoors writer for the Free Press has done a fine article on the Tour de Troit.

Early fall is a great time to ride a bicycle. There’s a hint of crispness in the morning air, yet the days usually bring shirtsleeve comfort without the humidity of summer.

If you’re a neighborhood cyclist who has done a 10-mile ride and you’ve wanted to try something a little more ambitious, it would be tough to beat the Tour de Troit for that first outing.

Yes, there were 2,000 bicyclists registered as of last week. Another 1,000 are expected to sign up before the 25th.

While the T-shirt deadline has passed, it’s not too late to register and take part in one of the Anerica’s biggest bicycle rides.

Free Press Graphic

John Gallagher of the Free Press has given an update on the Uniroyal site, the large brownfield between Mt. Elliot Park and the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle.

Detroit’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority this week approved agreements with three corporations for $15 million-$20 million to clean up the western half of the 40-acre site. Cleanup agreements also are expected soon for the eastern portion.

A cleanup of the old industrial site would allow the extension of the Detroit RiverWalk to the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle.

“This is a historic agreement for the City of Detroit,” [Mayor Dave Bing] said in a statement Friday. “The Uniroyal site has sat idle for decades. This puts us in a position to complete the RiverWalk and continue the transformation of the riverfront for future generations.”

This is great news, but this RiverWalk section won’ t be built tomorrow. The article says it will “likely to take a couple of years.”

We also mentioned previously Morgan and Wright, the world’s largest bicycle tire manufacturer relocated from Chicago to this Detroit site to make car tires. They eventually became part of Uniroyal.

This Saturday is PEAC’s Celebration of Cycling ride in Metro Detroit.

The Eighteenth Annual Celebration of Cycling Ride will be held on September 18th, 2010 starting at Warrendale Shelter in Hines Park. Routes range from a traffic-free 12-mile course to a challenging century ride. This ride is truly for everybody, including competitive cyclists and families.

PEAC is a great organization that not only helps cyclists with disabilities, they were instrumental in getting the Complete Streets legislation passed in Lansing.

From PEAC’s John Waterman:

Three youth with disabilities (Conor Waterman 9 , Katie Birchmeier 9, and James Kleimola 17) stood up for all cyclists in Michigan to help pass Complete Streets Legislation.

Conor, Katie and James wrote their own speeches and testified in front of the House Transportation Committee, Senate Transportation Committee and The Disability Caucus.  Their testimony and hard work was instrumental in the passage of Complete Streets and Senator Basham stated, “Conor, Katie, and James helped me make up my mind.”  After their presentation the Senate immediately moved it out of committee.

Now you can help these students by riding in the Celebration of Cycling Ride on September 18, 2010.  Join hundreds of people grabbing their bikes to help individuals with learn to ride.  If you cannot ride please sponsor a cyclist with disabilities for $20.00, so Everyone Can Ride.  Thank you for helping individuals with disabilities improve cycling for everyone.

Today is the last day to submit comments to DDOT on the proposed Woodward Avenue Light Rail Transit project. Comments should be emailed to woodwardlightrail@detroitmi.gov.

The scoping booklet is on-line and presents a number of different options. One key issue with cyclists is the track alignment: curb-running versus median-running.

Curb-running makes bike lanes difficult to impossible. Do you really want to ride near the trains, their tracks, and their stations?

The best answer is median-running. In the scoping booklet, that is Design Option A. It would be great if many cyclists requested that option in their comments.

Transport Michigan also has some great thoughts and comments regarding this project and cycling.

Link: Additional information on Detroit’s light rail project