I just received these photos from Michael Boettcher, the Executive Director for the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority. We had a small group which was perhaps due to it being the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend. Still, it was a great ride from Dearborn to Campus Martius.
Last Friday was Detroit Synergy’s organized bike to work day from Downtown Dearborn to Campus Martius in Detroit. It was a light turnout, which was surprising giving the great weather and high gas prices. Perhaps many were getting an early start on their Memorial Day Weekend plans.
Nonetheless, we had a great ride straight down Michigan Avenue. Channel 7 came out and covered the ride. Thanks to Alex, Detroit Synergy, Michael Boettcher (East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority), the Dearborn Police, and the Mercury Coffee Shop.
Today began the third annual Detroit Synergy bike to work day. Today we had a great ride from Royal Oak to Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit. Next Friday’s ride is from Dearborn to Campus Martius.
One of the riders today was going out of his way to ride with us. His normal bike commute is from Royal Oak to Wixom.
Also, congrats to fellow bike commuter and Friend of the Clinton River Trail, Mark Pompetski. He got some much deserved ink describing his bike commuting in the Hometown Life:
Three years ago, when Michigan’s perennial orange barrels sprouted along his route to work, Mark Pompetzki’s daily commute became even more of a grind than usual.
But prompted by a co-worker, Pompetzki found a way to take some of the pressure off the drive between Rochester and Southfield. He started riding his bike to work when the weather and his schedule permitted. He’s still doing it today, averaging one day a week.
Read the complete article
Today had two bike to work events sponsored by American Cycle and Fitness and Fox 2. One started in Grosse Pointe, another in Royal Oak. Both ended up a Campus Martius where a Trek commuter bike was raffled off to one of the participants. The weather was great as Fox 2’s Lila Lazaras led us down Woodward.
And a special thanks to Lila for noting how great it would be if Woodward Avenue had bike lanes.
Tomorrow is Detroit Synergy’s ride from the Royal Oak Farmers’ Market to Campus Martius. More ride details
Here is the latest all-in-one schedule for bike to work week in Detroit. Note that the Wednesday American Cycle and Fitness ride is now on Thursday due to the weather forecast. Their Commerce-to-Southfield route is canceled. Detroit Synergy’s Grosse Pointe ride has also been canceled.
You can still register to win a commuter bike from American Cycle and Fitness.
If you still need motivation, the AP recently ran a story on bike commuting’s growing popularity.
Bicycle shops across the country are reporting strong sales so far this year, and more people are bringing in bikes that have been idled for years, he said.
“People are riding bicycles a lot more often, and it’s due to a mixture of things but escalating gas prices is one of them,” said Bill Nesper, spokesman for the Washington. D.C.-based League of American Bicyclists.
“We’re seeing a spike in the number of calls we’re getting from people wanting tips on bicycle commuting,” he said.