Bike to work day is everyday for the dedicated cyclists. But for those who need a nudge to try it, this Friday is Bike to Work day.

There are two organized Bike to Work rides to Detroit this year. They are a combination of last year’s rides hosted by Detroit Synergy and American Cycle and Fitness.

If you need another excuse, Armadillo Printwear is cooking up some cool T-shirts for participants.

Here are the Friday itineraries with the estimated times:

Woodward Avenue Route

• 6:15AM Start: American Cycle & Fitness in Royal Oak
  29428 Woodward Ave. (just north of 12 Mile Rd)
• 6:25AM Royal Oak Farmers Market, West Entrance
• 6:40AM Ferndale, Southbound Woodward Ave. @ 9 Mile Rd
• 7:35AM Cultural Center/Midtown, WSU
• Welcome Center – Woodward Ave. @ Warren Ave.
• 8:00AM Finish: Downtown, Campus Martius Park
• Afternoon ride leaves Campus Martius @ 5:30pm. Arrive in Royal Oak @ 7pm

Grosse Pointe Route

• 6:15AM Start: American Cycle & Fitness Grosse Pointe, 20343 Mack Ave. (6 blocks south of Vernier Rd)
• 6:35AM City of Grosse Pointe Village, Kercheval @ St. Clair. Parking at Trader Joe’s Parking Garage
• 6:50AM Grosse Pointe Park/Detroit, East Jefferson Ave @ Lakepointe – Grosse Pointe Park Public Library
• 7:30AM Rivertown/Indian Village, 6533 East Jefferson Ave @ Bellevue ?Parking on Bellevue Street
• 8:00AM Finish: Downtown, Campus Martius
• Afternoon ride leaves Campus Martius @ 5:30pm. Arrive in Grosse Pointe @ 7pm

For more information on these rides, visit the Detroit Synergy and American Cycle and Fitness web sites.

Detroit City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee is holding a public hearing on Monday, May 11th at 10:30 AM on a new bicycle registration ordinance.

This new ordinance is voluntary and replaces the mandatory registration ordinance removed last summer.

PUBLIC HEARING – RE: Proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 55, Article IX, of the 1984 Detroit City Code, Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles and Bicycles, by adding Division 3, Voluntary Bicycle Registration, which shall contain Sections 55-9-41 through 55-9-49 (Law and Police Departments)

Whether or not you have opportunity to register your bike, it really is important that you at least document the serial number. This number is typically stamped into your bike frame often times near the cranks. With the serial number and 99 cents, you can take advantage of the National Bike Registry in the event yours is stolen.

Next Thursday, May 14th at 5 PM I’ll be giving a presentation at the Model D Speaker Series.

The topic is greenways and trails in Detroit and Hamtramck. I’ll bring everyone up to speed on what’s been going on through my work with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.

I’ll also be introducing our brand new Detroit Greenways Network brochure, a hint of which is shown at the right.

The location is the Green Garage in Midtown at 4444 Second Avenue, conveniently located just around the corner from Motor City Brewing Works.

Bil Lusa will also speak about this September’s epic Tour-de-Troit bike ride.

This is a free event though you’ll need to sign up.

Link: More Information

Model D Media published a story highlighting updates along the Detroit Riverfront.

The most visible and exciting progress is the RiverWalk extension through Tri-Centennial State Park:

…construction of the first phase of expansion known as the Lowlands Unit will be complete in mid-June, according to Ken Davis, an engineer with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The trenches that will comprise the wetlands area have been dug, the pump station to control water flow has been installed and construction on sidewalks and walkways has begun.

The Dequindre Trail, which will connect the State Park and RiverWalk to the Dequindre Cut is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

Construction of the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority terminal building next to the Renaissance Center is progressing too. Construction should be complete in early 2010. There are conceptual plans for water taxi service between the Detroit and Windsor, which may prove to be the most convenient way for cyclists to cross between both countries.

And, the short section of RiverWalk which was closed during the terminal’s construction is now opened. However, be forewarned that this section currently includes a stretch of loose gravel.

Also, Diamond Jack’s is moving their Hart Plaza dock to Rivard Plaza. This is great news as the current location and loading facilities create a major bottleneck for RiverWalk users.

While many pedestrian/bike bridges often provide critical trail connections, the Bagley bridge provides a critical community connection.

And it’s going to make that connection with some pizazz.

We’ve been tracking the progress on this bridge for some time now.

One rumor was it would be completed in time for the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, but unfortunately that rumor proved false.

Still, as this picture from May 3rd shows, it’s getting close.