The Michigan House recently passed a resolution recognizing May as Bike Month in Michigan. The resolution was introduced by its primary sponsor Representative Harvey Santana from Detroit’s Tenth district.

“I’m proud that the House passed this resolution to help me encourage others to discover the love of biking that I share with countless cyclists in our great state,” Santana said. “Biking to work is an efficient and fun way to get the exercise you need without having to find extra time to work out, as well as a great way to get around town. And this year, with gasoline prices as high as they are, biking to work makes more sense than ever.”

Santana added that while many people think of country roads as a great place to bike, he looks at his own west side Detroit neighborhood as the perfect spot to enjoy a few miles of biking.

“The Tenth District is a perfect place to enjoy biking with Rouge Park being a major part of the district,” he said. “It contains many miles of paved and unpaved trails that residents can safely enjoy. Spring has sprung and the warm weather beckons all of us to get outdoors and enjoy it.”

I’ve known Harvey for many years and worked with him on the Rouge Park hike/bike trails. He was a prolific volunteer and a mountain bike racer.

When Harvey was elected, he asked what legislation could be passed to improve biking in Michigan. I suggested changing making right-hand turn signaling legal for bicyclists. As we’ve mentioned before, the current left-hand in the air sign looks like a wave and is certainly ineffective. We shouldn’t be educating cyclists to use something that few on the road understand. State law should support cyclists using common sense hand signals.

Besides, this change in state law will give a boost to Michigan’s rankings in the Bicycle Friendly States list.

Below is the Michigan Bike Month resolution, which contains some interesting facts about bicycling in Michigan.

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Press release from the Hub of Detroit, one of America’s largest bicycle co-ops:

Contact: Bradley Iott and Jason Fiedler

BIKE DONATIONS FOR YOUTH BIKE GIVEAWAY

The HUB of Detroit seeks donations of youth bicycles for its biannual Youth Bike Giveaway. Last year, the program gave away over 100 bikes. This year the HUB will distribute approximately 100 bikes to children ages 4-8 on June 18th and 21st. Additionally, the program will educate children and their families on safe riding habits though an informative safety packet given with each bike. Diligent volunteers will be recycling and refurbishing donated bikes prior to the giveaway. We ask that bikes have wheels 20 inches or smaller to accommodate this age group, but any bike will be accepted.

Donated bikes can be brought to The HUB’s retail shop at 3611 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 during shop hours:

• Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-6 PM
• Sunday 12-2 PM
• Monday by appointment

If you work for an organization that helps out families that could benefit from a free bike or if you would like to volunteer at The HUB, please contact Jason Fiedler at jason@thehubofdetroit.org.

If you have a child ages 9-16 years old, they may be eligible to get a free bike through the HUB’s Earn-A-Bike program. For more information about that program, please contact Darrin Brouhard at darrin@thehubofdetroit.org.

The HUB of Detroit is a non-profit bike shop in the Cass Corridor. It’s mission is to provide cycling education and services with a focus on youth development, sustainable practices, and community access. To accomplish these goals, The HUB offers a variety of youth programs, including Youth Earn A Bike, Mechanics in Training, and the Youth Bike Giveaway.

The Trinity Community Presbyterian Church in Detroit (4849 W. Outer Dr.) is having a Blessing of the Bikes event this Sunday, May 22 from 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM. This is after their regular service, which begins at 11 AM.

According to the Church, these are “special Services to fellowship with all bikers and pray for a safe summer for all bike riders.”

Both motorized and non-motorized bikes are welcome — as are roadies, downhillers, and gold-plated fixie riders. Now that’s diversity!

Irregardless of your beliefs, this is a great excuse for ride on Outer Drive this Sunday.

From Model D Media:

Join us Thursday, May 26 to learn about the future of transit and cycling in the city. Panelists include Kenneth Cockrel, Jr., Detroit City Council; Todd Scott; Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA); Kelli Kavanaugh, co-owner of Wheelhouse Detroit; Robin Boyle, Wayne State University and Carolyn Helmke, Chicago-based transportation consultant.

The program will take place at the Wayne State University Law School at 471 West Palmer in Midtown Detroit. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Please register here.

Anyone who comes by foot, bike or bus will receive a nifty bicycle patch kit from Wheelhouse Detroit. It’s our little way of saying thank you for using alternative modes of transport.

This Model D Speaker Series event is presented by Model D Media, MSHDA and Wayne State University.

Two Detroit Synergy Bike to Work group rides are planned for the morning of Friday, May 20th, 2011. Both end at Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit.

• Woodward Ave – Starts in Royal Oak with stops in Ferndale and Midtown
• East Jefferson Ave – Starts in Grosse Pointe with stops on the East Side and at Rivertown

Special thank to the sponsors who make this event possible: Miller-Canfield, American Cycle and Fitness, Giffels-Webster Engineers, Wheelhouse Detroit, and Armadillo Printwear.