Flying on two wheels. That’s how some describe the powerful and addictive nature of bicycling, which is gaining in popularity across Michigan’s inner cities.
Bicycling is an everyday part of life for the Dickerson family. They began to map out their ride schedules and pump up their tires with the first signs of spring.
In addition to pursuing their own paths, the family of five participates in an organized weekly ride hosted by the People for Palmer Park in Detroit’s historic Palmer Park.
“Our kids make a point of getting their homework done early so they can ride,” says Charles Dickerson, a commercial real estate investor. “They truly enjoy exercise and the camaraderie with other children and families.”
Dickerson rides with his wife, Bionne, a physician, daughters Bailey, 15, and Cassidy, 10, and son Charles IV, 12.
In the three years the Dickersons have ridden with Henry Ford II, the ride leader, they have seen the pack rise from 15 faithful pedal pushers to more than 200 on a warm summer night. Dickerson and his wife ride the vintage 1960s beach cruisers he lovingly restored over the winter.
People come with tricked-up banana (seat) bikes festooned with LED lights and sound emanating from six separate speakers to chic white or black bikes made by Henry Ford II at his workplace, Detroit Bikes.
The rides wind through the 13 miles of hiking and biking trails in the park, past the log cabin once occupied by Palmer Park’s namesake, Sen. Thomas Palmer. Then the group takes off in a different direction each week. They might ride by the new community gardens in Highland Park; the campus of University of Detroit; the pigs, goats and cows in an old factory building on Detroit’s east side, or the stately mansions of the Boston Edison neighborhood.
“My baby was only 7-years-old when we rode all the way to Chicago Boulevard,” Dickerson says. “But she hung in for the entire ride. The other adults look out for the children. It’s a big family ride and a bonding experience.”
What’s the best advice for getting kids away from technology and onto a bike?
“We stress to the children the importance of family time, of being fit spiritually and physically,” Dickerson says. “With all our technology and all our busy schedules, the one time we always plan to be together is our Thursday night bike rides.”
Editor’s note: Bikers should wear safety helmets and follow the rules of the road.
Michigan’s rides
Enjoy thousands of miles of bike trails
Bicycling is becoming a bonanza for Michigan and getting bigger and bigger.
Flint resident Angela Stamps, founder of the Berston Bicycle Club Project, provides free bikes to participants who complete a nine-week safety and education program.
Bicycling activities – available for all ages and abilities – are making a comeback in Michigan’s inner cities, which have increased the number of dedicated bike lanes to promote safety.
According to Pure Michigan Travel, the state has more than 1,300 miles of bike trails accessible to the public. These range from trails that wave through urban centers to others that wind through Michigan’s natural back-country.
Some of our favorites include:
• Back Alley Bikes (low and no cost bikes). This Cass Corridor-based division of the Hub, a non-profit bike store, has Youth-Earn-a-Bike and teen HYPE bike programs and offers mechanics classes. Visit: thehubofdetroit.org
• Bike Grand Rapids. The city now boasts nearly 70 miles of bike friendly lanes. Visit: experiencegr.com/things-to-do/biking
• Flint River Trail. The Friends of the Flint River Tail lead bike rides every Sunday, May – Oct. at 2 p.m. from the Flint Farmers Market located at 300 East First Street
• Genesee Wanderers cycling club hosts regular rides on the Flint River Trail, among others. Visit: geneseewanderers.org
• Iron Belle Trail (in progress). Families looking for a short spin or a multi-day adventure can launch themselves on the newly named trail that starts at Belle Isle and follows various hiking and bicycling trails to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula. Visit: Michigantrails.org
• Kalamazoo Bicycle Club (KBC) Bike Camp. Runs Saturdays from May 16 to June 6 at the Portage YMCA outside Kalamazoo. Visit: kalamazoobicycleclub.org
• Mayor’s City to City Ride. Join Kalamazoo and Portage mayors on a 7.5 mile ride on Sat., May 9 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Visit: kalamazoobikeweek.com
• Pedal GR. A bi-weekly ride exploring Grand Rapids. Visit: pedalgr.com
• Other Detroit-based rides worth pursuing include the Dequindre Cut, the Midtown Loop, RiverWalk, Link Detroit and Conner Creek Greenway
• The Rapid Wheelmen. This club hosts almost daily rides and bike-related activities. Visit: rapidwheelmen.com
• Saginaw County-Thomas Township – Saginaw Valley Rail Trail. Enjoy a paved trail connector which links to the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail to Thomas Township.
• The Slow Roll. Join up to 2,000 participants in a meandering ride through downtown Detroit and its neighborhoods. Schedules vary. Visit: detroitbikecity.org
• Wheelhousehttps://www.slowroll.bike/ Detroit Bike Tours. Short and long, tough and easy, Wheelhouse offers guided tours for cyclists of all abilities and stamina levels. These rides focus on iconic areas in the city. Visit: wheelhousedetroit.com/tours
Editor’s note: The League of Michigan Bicyclists distributes a free bike calendar available at most bike shops and its website: LMB.org/ridecal
Pedal Power added by TheHUB on
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