Cycling in Detroit
Encyclopedia
Detroit is a popular city for cycling. It is flat with an extensive road network with a number recreational and competitive opportunities and is, according to David Byrne
, one of the top eight biking cities in the world. The city has invested in greenways and bike lanes and other bicycle-friendly
infrastructure. Bike rental is available from the riverfront and tours of the city's architecture
can be booked.
The city has a strong cycling heritage, and first embraced cycling during the "golden age" of the 1890s.
it is one of the top eight biking cities in the world. The city has invested in greenways and bike lanes and has a number of plans to further develop the cycling infrastructure.
The city of Detroit installed its first bike lanes along portions of Atwater Street as part of the Renaissance Center
redesign of 2002/2003. The Atwater plans were never fully realized.
As of 2011, there are over 40 miles of bike lanes in Detroit, including 6 miles on Belle Isle Park
and about 20 miles throughout Southwest Detroit; there are also in-park shared-use paths at Rouge Park, Palmer Park, Patton Park and throughout the city parks in the Lafayette-Elmwood neighborhoods. The Dequindre Cut
, a major greenway designed for cycling, links to the Detroit International Riverfront
which also allows cycling along the waterfront. Portions of the Conner Creek Greenway on Detroit's east side are also completed.
Though still in the early planning stages, United States Bicycle Routes 25, 30, and 36 provide connection through Detroit.
The 'Detroit Non-Motorized Master Plan' calls for 400 miles of bike lanes primarily through road diet
s. The plan's implementation was started in summer 2009 with initial projects completed in 2010.
The Detroit Health and Wellness Promotion Department (DHWP) is leading the effort to educate the community and elected officials on the value of Complete streets
. Groups are working to bring a Complete Streets ordinance before the Detroit City Council
by early 2011.
The Adventure Cycling Association
together with Michigan Trails, Greenways Alliance and the Michigan Historic Trails Commission has developed a new 400-mile spur through Detroit to the existing 2,100-mile 'Underground Railroad Bicycle Route' which follows historic Underground Railroad
sites from Mobile, Alabama
to Owen Sound, Ontario
in Canada. The tour map from Oberlin, Ohio
to Marine City, Michigan
via Detroit is completed. A shorter route just within Detroit has been developed and a brochure is planned.
(SMART) line haul buses are equipped with bike racks capable of holding two bicycles.
As of November 2010, approximately half of all Detroit Department of Transportation
(DDOT) buses have bike racks. The remaining half will be equipped by the first quarter of 2011. The DDOT racks will hold two bicycles.
The Detroit People Mover
allows bikes to be brought on board and stations are equipped with bicycle racks.
The Windsor Transit Tunnel Bus does not carry bicycles unless they are disassembled and within a bike bag. Even then, the driver may not allow bicycles on board if the bus is full. According to Transit Windsor, "Due to licensing regulations, bike racks cannot be deployed during Tunnel Bus services, including transportation to Comerica Park
or Ford Field
."
There is no current means for bicycling between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canada
across the Detroit River. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel does not allow bicycles, nor does the Transit Windsor
tunnel bus and the Ambassador Bridge
is also closed to bicycles. Efforts are being made to gain bicycle access across the planned Detroit River International Crossing
and through proposed water taxi
s.
are developing a hiking/mountain bike trail in Rouge Park on Detroit's west side. As of 2009, 1.5 miles are completed and signed with additional miles planned.
The North Corktown neighborhood created a pump track in October 2009.
The Dorais Velodrome Detroit is in a state of disrepair but was cleared of weeds in 2010.
and Bike Tech on Detroit's eastside. Wheelhouse Detroit also offers bike rental and tours of the city. Detroit does not have a bicycle sharing system at this time but Bike Share Detroit has proposed starting a program.
Wheelhouse Detroit offers tours of the city including ones focused on architecture, urban agriculture, eastern market and Belle Island. Bicycles can also be hired if required.
Motor City Bike and Brew Tours offers bicycle tours in the city focused on brewery history. They tour past and present brewery sites in downtown Detroit.
through Corktown and Mexican Town to connect to the River Rouge
and from there up-river to the River Rouge Park and The Henry Ford
.
Other proposals include:
The Detroit Bicycle Club was formed in 1879 when "only a few persons in Detroit rode." By 1890, the club merged with the Meteor Bicycle Club and the Star Bicycle Club to become the 'Detroit Wheelmen'. The Unique Cycling Club (1894 to 1911) was the women's equivalent to the Wheelmen and often shared their clubhouse.
In 1891, the League of American Wheelmen held their annual meeting on Detroit's Belle Isle
. In 1896, the Detroit Wheelmen boasted 450 members and built a $40,000 clubhouse near Grand Circus Park. Famous Detroit Wheelmen include Horace E. Dodge, William E. Metzger
, Truman H. Newberry, Horatio Earle
, Tom Cooper (driver)
and Edward N. Hines
.
Also in 1896, Henry Ford
followed Charles B. King on his bicycle when he drove the first car, called the Quadricycle
, in Detroit. The vehicle was built using various bicycle components, including four bicycle wheels.
The Wolverine Sports Club (WSC) began in Ann Arbor as the Wolverine Wheelman in 1888.
As the automotive era began the interests of bicycle shop owners, manufacturers, racers, and enthusiasts turned to the automobile
.
.
In 1937, the club’s headquarters became Mike Walden’s Continental Bike Shop in Detroit, and followed the shop's moves ending up in Hazel Park. In 1949, a board of directors was established to guide the club philosophically. Other sports that were a part of the club at this time were: hockey, boxing, track and field, speedskating, and cross country skiing. In 1950 WSC merged with the Berkley Speedskating Club and grew considerably in size. In 1972, cross-country skiing was added as a major sport and the club assumed its current form and became known as the Wolverine Sports Club. WSC was voted the United States Cycling Federation Club of the Year in 1991. Up to that time 28% of all National medal winners came from WSC. In 1997 the WSC became a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
David Byrne
David Byrne may refer to:*David Byrne , musician and former Talking Heads frontman**David Byrne , his eponymous album*David Byrne , Irish footballer*David Byrne , English footballer...
, one of the top eight biking cities in the world. The city has invested in greenways and bike lanes and other bicycle-friendly
Bicycle-friendly
The term bicycle-friendly describes policies and practices which may help some people feel more comfortable about traveling by bicycle with other traffic...
infrastructure. Bike rental is available from the riverfront and tours of the city's architecture
Architecture of metropolitan Detroit
The architecture of metropolitan Detroit, Michigan continues to attract the attention of architects and preservationists alike. With one of the world's recognizable skylines, Detroit's waterfront panorama shows a variety of architectural styles. The city's historic Art Deco skyscrapers blend with...
can be booked.
The city has a strong cycling heritage, and first embraced cycling during the "golden age" of the 1890s.
Infrastructure
On-road Infrastructure
Detroit is an excellent city for cycling with flat terrain and an extensive but often virtually traffic free road network; according to David ByrneDavid Byrne
David Byrne may refer to:*David Byrne , musician and former Talking Heads frontman**David Byrne , his eponymous album*David Byrne , Irish footballer*David Byrne , English footballer...
it is one of the top eight biking cities in the world. The city has invested in greenways and bike lanes and has a number of plans to further develop the cycling infrastructure.
The city of Detroit installed its first bike lanes along portions of Atwater Street as part of the Renaissance Center
Renaissance Center
Renaissance Center is a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers in Downtown Detroit, Michigan, United States. Located on the International Riverfront, the Renaissance Center complex is owned by General Motors as its world headquarters...
redesign of 2002/2003. The Atwater plans were never fully realized.
As of 2011, there are over 40 miles of bike lanes in Detroit, including 6 miles on Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle is a island park in the Detroit River, between the United States mainland and Canada, managed by the Detroit Recreation Department. It is connected to the rest of Detroit, Michigan by the MacArthur Bridge...
and about 20 miles throughout Southwest Detroit; there are also in-park shared-use paths at Rouge Park, Palmer Park, Patton Park and throughout the city parks in the Lafayette-Elmwood neighborhoods. The Dequindre Cut
Dequindre Cut
The Dequindre Cut is a below-grade pathway, formerly a Grand Trunk Western Railroad line, located on the east side of Detroit, Michigan just west of St. Aubin Street...
, a major greenway designed for cycling, links to the Detroit International Riverfront
Detroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
which also allows cycling along the waterfront. Portions of the Conner Creek Greenway on Detroit's east side are also completed.
Though still in the early planning stages, United States Bicycle Routes 25, 30, and 36 provide connection through Detroit.
The 'Detroit Non-Motorized Master Plan' calls for 400 miles of bike lanes primarily through road diet
Road diet
A road diet, also called a lane reduction, is a technique in transportation planning whereby a road is reduced in number of travel lanes and/or effective width in order to achieve systemic improvements.-Techniques:...
s. The plan's implementation was started in summer 2009 with initial projects completed in 2010.
The Detroit Health and Wellness Promotion Department (DHWP) is leading the effort to educate the community and elected officials on the value of Complete streets
Complete streets
In U.S. urban planning and highway engineering, complete streets are roadways designed and operated to enable safe, attractive, and comfortable access and travel for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transport users of all ages and abilities...
. Groups are working to bring a Complete Streets ordinance before the Detroit City Council
Detroit City Council
The Detroit City Council is the legislative body of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The City Council consists of nine members elected for a four-year term in a single election conducted on an at-large and non-partisan basis...
by early 2011.
The Adventure Cycling Association
Adventure Cycling Association
The Adventure Cycling Association is a national cycling association in the United States which provides services for cycle-tourists, publishes maps and campaigns for better cycling facilities. Its headquarters are in Missoula, Montana...
together with Michigan Trails, Greenways Alliance and the Michigan Historic Trails Commission has developed a new 400-mile spur through Detroit to the existing 2,100-mile 'Underground Railroad Bicycle Route' which follows historic Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
sites from Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
to Owen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound , the county seat of Grey County, is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada...
in Canada. The tour map from Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, to the south and west of Cleveland. Oberlin is perhaps best known for being the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students...
to Marine City, Michigan
Marine City, Michigan
Marine City is a city in St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located on the west bank of the St. Clair River, it is one of the cities in the River District north of Detroit and south of Lake Huron. The population was 4,652 at the 2000 census...
via Detroit is completed. A shorter route just within Detroit has been developed and a brochure is planned.
Trails and greenways
The 'Detroit Greenway Network' is currently under development and would create a city wide network of greenways encompassing more than 70 miles of greenways and use additional miles of bike lanes (based on the City's non-motorized plan) for on-road connections. This Network would also provide connections to other neighboring and regional efforts.Bikes and transit
All Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional TransportationSuburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation ' is the public transit operator serving suburban Greater Detroit. Beginning operations in 1967 as the "SouthEastern Michigan Transportation Authority" or "SEMTA", it operates 44 "linehaul" and three "park-and-ride" bus routes in Wayne,...
(SMART) line haul buses are equipped with bike racks capable of holding two bicycles.
As of November 2010, approximately half of all Detroit Department of Transportation
Detroit Department of Transportation
The Detroit Department of Transportation, commonly referred to as DDOT is the public transportation operator of city bus service in Detroit, Michigan...
(DDOT) buses have bike racks. The remaining half will be equipped by the first quarter of 2011. The DDOT racks will hold two bicycles.
The Detroit People Mover
Detroit People Mover
The Detroit People Mover is a automated people mover system which operates on a single set of tracks, and encircles downtown Detroit, Michigan....
allows bikes to be brought on board and stations are equipped with bicycle racks.
The Windsor Transit Tunnel Bus does not carry bicycles unless they are disassembled and within a bike bag. Even then, the driver may not allow bicycles on board if the bus is full. According to Transit Windsor, "Due to licensing regulations, bike racks cannot be deployed during Tunnel Bus services, including transportation to Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
or Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...
."
There is no current means for bicycling between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
across the Detroit River. The Detroit-Windsor Tunnel does not allow bicycles, nor does the Transit Windsor
Transit Windsor
Transit Windsor is a company that provides public transportation in the city of Windsor, Ontario. Transit Windsor provides transportation to more than 6 million passengers each year, covering an area of and a population of 218,000....
tunnel bus and the Ambassador Bridge
Ambassador Bridge
The Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Detroit, Michigan, in the United States, with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. It is the busiest international border crossing in North America in terms of trade volume: more than 25 percent of all merchandise trade between the United States...
is also closed to bicycles. Efforts are being made to gain bicycle access across the planned Detroit River International Crossing
Detroit River International Crossing
The Detroit River International Crossing , alternatively New International Trade Crossing , is a multi-national construction project and committee between Canada and the United States to create a new border crossing over the Detroit River...
and through proposed water taxi
Water taxi
A water taxi or water bus, also known as a commuter boat, is a watercraft used to provide public transport, usually but not always in an urban environment. Service may be scheduled with multiple stops, operating in a similar manner to a bus, or on demand to many locations, operating in a similar...
s.
Recreational and competitive facilities
The Michigan Mountain Biking Association and Student Conservation AssociationStudent Conservation Association
The Student Conservation Association is a non-profit group in the United States whose mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land through service...
are developing a hiking/mountain bike trail in Rouge Park on Detroit's west side. As of 2009, 1.5 miles are completed and signed with additional miles planned.
The North Corktown neighborhood created a pump track in October 2009.
The Dorais Velodrome Detroit is in a state of disrepair but was cleared of weeds in 2010.
Maps
- The Michigan Department of TransportationMichigan Department of TransportationThe Michigan Department of Transportation is a constitutional government agency in the US state of Michigan. The primary purpose of MDOT is to maintain the Michigan State Trunkline Highway System which includes all Interstate, US and state highways in Michigan with the exception of the Mackinac...
publish a number of bike maps for the state including the Southeast Region Bike Map for the region around Detroit. - SEMCOG publish various walking and cycling maps including the Southeast Michigan Regional Map for the region around Detroit.
- OpenStreetMapOpenStreetMapOpenStreetMap is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. Two major driving forces behind the establishment and growth of OSM have been restrictions on use or availability of map information across much of the world and the advent of inexpensive portable GPS devices.The...
offers a cycling map view for the city and elsewhere. - Google MapsGoogle MapsGoogle Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
also offers a cycling map view for the city and elsewhere.
Shops and rental
Bike shops include Wheelhouse Detroit on the riverfront, Hub of Detroit, a Bicycle shop and co-op in Mid Townand Bike Tech on Detroit's eastside. Wheelhouse Detroit also offers bike rental and tours of the city. Detroit does not have a bicycle sharing system at this time but Bike Share Detroit has proposed starting a program.
Events and tours
- 'Beat the Train' - 6 am Saturdays April through October at Fort Wayne.
- 'Bike the Bridge' - Cycle rides across the Ambassador BridgeAmbassador BridgeThe Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects Detroit, Michigan, in the United States, with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. It is the busiest international border crossing in North America in terms of trade volume: more than 25 percent of all merchandise trade between the United States...
. - Criterium Detroit City - The inaugural race was July 9, 2010.
- Critical MassCritical MassCritical Mass is a cycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month in over 300 cities around the world. The ride was originally founded in 1992 in San Francisco. The purpose of Critical Mass is not usually formalized beyond the direct action of meeting at a set location and time and...
- the last Friday of each month. An estimated 375 people took part in June 2010. - Detroit Agricultural Network Tour - Guided bike tours that highlight Detroit's urban agricultureUrban agricultureUrban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in, or around, a village, town or city. Urban agriculture in addition can also involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture...
. - Fender Bender - A monthly LGBTLGBTLGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
bicycle education and training evening. - The 'Mad Anthony Cyclocross race' is held in the fall at Historic Fort Wayne.
- Ride of SilenceRide of SilenceThe Ride of Silence is a yearly international bicycle ride to commemorate cyclists killed or injured while riding on public roads. It helps to raise awareness among motorists of the dangers they pose to cyclists....
A slow-paced bicycle ride on the third Wednesday each May to honor cyclists killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. - Tour de Troit - One of the largest bicycle tours in Michigan with over 4,500 cyclists participating in 2011.
- Wolverine 200 - An annual endurance event held each spring on Belle Isle. This event was not held in 2009 and 2010.
Wheelhouse Detroit offers tours of the city including ones focused on architecture, urban agriculture, eastern market and Belle Island. Bicycles can also be hired if required.
Motor City Bike and Brew Tours offers bicycle tours in the city focused on brewery history. They tour past and present brewery sites in downtown Detroit.
Proposed developments
The following three greenway projects would link the Detroit International RiverfrontDetroit International Riverfront
The Detroit International Riverfront is an area of Detroit, Michigan that borders the Detroit River. The International Riverfront area extends from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, extending a total of 5½-miles and encompassing a multitude of parks, restaurants, retail...
through Corktown and Mexican Town to connect to the River Rouge
River Rouge (Michigan)
The River Rouge, also known as the Rouge River, is a river in the Metro Detroit area of southeastern Michigan. It flows into the Detroit River at Zug Island, which is the boundary between the cities of River Rouge and Detroit....
and from there up-river to the River Rouge Park and The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford
The Henry Ford, a National Historic Landmark, , in the Metro Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, USA, is a large indoor and outdoor history museum complex...
.
- Corktown-Mexicantown Greenlink
- Southwest Detroit Riverfront Greenway
- Rouge Gateway Greenway
Other proposals include:
- Conner Creek Greenway (and Milbank), a nine-mile pathway along Conner and St. Jean from Eight Mile Road to the Maheras Gentry Park on the Detroit River.
- Detroit Rivewalk
- Fort Street Greenway.
- Hamtramck Greenway, a 1.5-mile link to connect Downtown Hamtramck with the Dequindre Cut.
- Lyndon Avenue Greenway, a 1.5-mile section of Lyndon Avenue.
- Midtown Loop Greenway, a 2-mile greenway trail following Kirby Street, John R Street, Canfield Street, and Cass Avenue.
- Southwest Detroit/Dearborn Greenway, paved pathways through Patton Park and around Lapeer park with an on-road signed bike route to connect the two.
Organizations and Clubs
- Center for Creative Studies Cycling club.
- Detroit Synergy
- Downriver Highriders
- Eastside Riders Bike Club
- Grown Men on Bikes (G.M.O.B.)
- m-bike - Bicycling advocacy site for Metro Detroit.
- League of Michigan Bicyclists
- Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) - Leading bicycle efforts within Detroit
- Michigan Mountain Biking Association
- Sisters Cycling (Detroit) - Cycling club for women in the metro-Detroit area.
- Wayne State UniversityWayne State UniversityWayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
Cycling Club - Wolverine Sports Club
History
Velocipedes preceded bicycles on Detroit's streets and were "in common use" by 1875.The Detroit Bicycle Club was formed in 1879 when "only a few persons in Detroit rode." By 1890, the club merged with the Meteor Bicycle Club and the Star Bicycle Club to become the 'Detroit Wheelmen'. The Unique Cycling Club (1894 to 1911) was the women's equivalent to the Wheelmen and often shared their clubhouse.
In 1891, the League of American Wheelmen held their annual meeting on Detroit's Belle Isle
Belle Isle
- Places :In Canada* Belle Isle , an island and strait In England, UK* Belle Isle, an area of Leeds, West Yorkshire* Belle Isle , an island in Lake District, Cumbria...
. In 1896, the Detroit Wheelmen boasted 450 members and built a $40,000 clubhouse near Grand Circus Park. Famous Detroit Wheelmen include Horace E. Dodge, William E. Metzger
William E. Metzger
William Ernest Metzger was an automotive pioneer and salesman from Detroit. He opened one of the first automobile dealerships in the United States, and participated in the early development of a number of early automobile companies, including the Cadillac Automobile Company and the E-M-F Company,...
, Truman H. Newberry, Horatio Earle
Horatio Earle
Horatio Sawyer Earle is known as the "Father of Good Roads" or simply Horatio "Good Roads" Earle.-Early life:Earle was born February 14, 1855 on a farm in Mount Holly, Vermont. He married Agnes Lincoln in 1874 and they had a son, Romeo Horatio Earle in 1878...
, Tom Cooper (driver)
Tom Cooper (driver)
Tom Cooper was an 1890s champion bicycle racer and early auto racing driver. He is best known for his rivalry with Major Taylor as well as his later work with Henry Ford and Barney Oldfield.- Early years :...
and Edward N. Hines
Edward N. Hines
Edward N. Hines , was a member of the Wayne County, Michigan, Road Commission from 1906 to 1938. He is one of the most important innovators in road development....
.
Also in 1896, Henry Ford
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
followed Charles B. King on his bicycle when he drove the first car, called the Quadricycle
Ford Quadricycle
The Ford Quadricycle was the first vehicle developed by Henry Ford. Ford's first car was a simple frame with an ethanol-powered engine and four bicycle wheels mounted on it.The earliest cars were hand built, one by one, and very expensive...
, in Detroit. The vehicle was built using various bicycle components, including four bicycle wheels.
The Wolverine Sports Club (WSC) began in Ann Arbor as the Wolverine Wheelman in 1888.
As the automotive era began the interests of bicycle shop owners, manufacturers, racers, and enthusiasts turned to the automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
.
Wolverine Sports Club
The Wolverine Sports Club (WSC) began in Ann Arbor as the Wolverine Wheelman in 1888. The club moved to Detroit and continued until it became a victim of the Great Depression in 1931. In 1934, Jack Fletcher reorganized the club and registered it with the ABL (Amateur Bicycle League of America) later United States Cycling Federation and now USA CyclingUSA Cycling
USA Cycling or USAC, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States. It covers the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX and collegiate racing...
.
In 1937, the club’s headquarters became Mike Walden’s Continental Bike Shop in Detroit, and followed the shop's moves ending up in Hazel Park. In 1949, a board of directors was established to guide the club philosophically. Other sports that were a part of the club at this time were: hockey, boxing, track and field, speedskating, and cross country skiing. In 1950 WSC merged with the Berkley Speedskating Club and grew considerably in size. In 1972, cross-country skiing was added as a major sport and the club assumed its current form and became known as the Wolverine Sports Club. WSC was voted the United States Cycling Federation Club of the Year in 1991. Up to that time 28% of all National medal winners came from WSC. In 1997 the WSC became a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
See also
- Transportation in metropolitan DetroitTransportation in metropolitan DetroitTransportation in metropolitan Detroit is provided by a comprehensive system of transit services, airports, and an advanced network of freeways which interconnect the city and region. The Michigan Department of Transportation administers the region's network of major roads and freeways...
- Trails in DetroitTrails in DetroitThis is a list of trails and greenways in Detroit, Michigan.The trail types vary from natural surface singletrack to asphalt shared-use paths. In many cases, trail projects include on-road bike lanes and signed shared road routes.- Detroit Greenways Vision :...
External links
- City of Detroit
- Detroit Complete Streets
- Detroit Bikes! A project of Detroit Synergy
- Tour de Hood A personal blog about touring the City and memoralizing some of its weirdness
- Rickshaw Detroit LLC A Detroit pedicab service
- MiRideShare Michigan site to find cycling partners for commuters