Kid Rock’s video for “Roll On” features numerous Detroit landmarks, cars, and a whole like of bicycles.

This weekend while on the RiverWalk I met the the cyclists who were featured in the video. They’re from the Downriver Highriders and hail from Southwest Detroit, River Rouge, Ecorse and other downriver communities. (It also looks like some Eastside Riders might be in the video too.)

They were quick to note that they ride everywhere.

Groups like the Highriders and Eastside Riders are quite a contrast from the typical cycling clubs found in the Metro Detroit suburbs. They’re not about racing or going fast or wearing leotards. They’re just about riding and having a good time, something that is more appealing to the general population.

It’s also why they’re in a Kid Rock video.

If you want to join the Highriders, they have a Facebook page with more information. The Eastside Riders Bike Club also have a Facebook page.

The Associated Press is reporting on the DNR’s plans to build an adventure and discovery center in the historic Globe Building located on the Dequindre Cut and Detroit RiverWalk.

Anthes said the DNR is aiming to open the activity center in the fall of 2012, and it’s working with the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. and the developer, Troy-based Labor Management Fund Advisors. The developer is seeking at least one more occupant for the remainder of the building, and is working out financing for the balance of the project.

Besides the rock-climbing wall and zip lines, planners also envision an interpretive forest, archery range and classroom space in the gutted but structurally sound building. Anthes said they also are considering a kayak simulation ride as a rider might have on the river across the street.

Anthes said they haven’t found anything quite like it nationally, and it makes sense to create such a center in the largest city of the Great Lakes State.

Perhaps the most exciting new information is the anticipated opening date of fall 2012.

As we’ve said before, this project will bring tremendous value to this area and these trails. It will become a major destination for Detroiters as well as tourists.

There are two previous m-bike articles from 2010 that discussed the globe building and grant funding.

Dodge Brother's bicycle ball bearing patent of 1896

At 4pm on June 3rd, I will be presenting at TechTown’s First Friday networking event on the connection between entrepreneurs, greenways, and bicycling. The event will be held at NextEnergy, 461 Burroughs in Detroit.

As currently planned, the presentation will begin by recognizing Detroit’s early bicycle entrepreneurs such as William Metzger, Henry Ford, Horatio Earle, and the Dodge Brothers .Though not from Detroit, the Wright Brothers will get mentioned as well.

The bicycle is to be given credit, not only as the pioneer of the good roads movement but also as the parent of the automobile; for whoever heard of ball bearings and pneumatic tires until they were used in bicycles? Where did the expert mechanics come from, if not the bicycle industry? So, this is the rightful order of the origin of modern means of transportation: first, the young American; second, bicycles; third, good roads; fourth, automobiles; fifth, airplanes.

While early bicycle entrepreneurs were integral to Detroit becoming the Motor City, there are many examples today of entrepreneurs lessening Detroit’s car dependence and making it more green — the primary focus of this presentation.

There is a $5 fee payable at the door.

Spaulding Court is offering a $450 monthly rent discount if you live car free.

This is serious savings given that the normal rent for the newly renovated townhouse is $1,200 a month.

These community-owned townhouses are in North Corktown, which is very bikeable. Their brochure even provides ride times to nearby locations, including:

• 7 minutes to the Honey Bee (grocery store)
• 8 minutes to Downtown
• 11 minutes to the Riverfront

The townhouses also include free water, wireless Internet access, brand new kitchen and appliances.

We asked what was the motivation to offer such a deal to those living car free. Is this a program underwritten by a generous foundation?

We’re not getting any funds for it though a major consideration is the future cost of parking arrangements.  Since our mission is broader than just the building, the benefit to the neighborhood of having folks who are disinclined to spend their time/money too far afield is a big plus as well.

Model D Media recently wrote about the restoration efforts:

Two years ago, the stone walls of the Spaulding Court townhouse complex housed nothing but blight and trouble for the North Corktown neighborhood. As the first completely-renovated townhouse unit comes available for rent in the 99-year-old structure, it represents a victory for neighborhood resident Jon Koller and the work of 9 other residents, most of whom live within 150 yards of Spaulding Court, who worked together to redevelop the building.

Koller calls North Corktown an undiscovered haven of “rural Detroit.” A second townhouse will be available for rent or sale by the end of the summer. For more information, visit spauldingcourt.com

For more information, email rent.spaulding@gmail.com or 313.288.9255.

Our reprieve from cold rainy weather couldn’t have come on a better day.

And today I’ll be giving ride updates via Twitter (MTGA’s DetroitGreenway account) — but not while in riding.

It’s also worth mentioning that there is a new web site for biking to work, www.biketowork.org. It includes resources for planning bike to work events, a discussion forum and more. The site funded by the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

Finally, here is a appropriate comic strip for today. It’s actually yesterday’s Frazz. The author, Jef Mallett lives in Huntington Woods which is just off the Detroit bike to work route on Woodward.