Biking

Where to Bike

Most cycle shops around town carry paper maps of recommended cycle routes, produced by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, Washtenaw County has created a series of bicycle safe routes linking and spanning Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti called the Border to Border Trail. A map detailing the route can be found here .

Mountain Biking

There are currently a few mountain biking trails in Ann Arbor. One set is in Olson Park (map), which is located at Pontiac Trail at Dhu Varren Road. Another, called the Bluffs Nature Area (map), is located on the west side of North Main St., across from Lake Shore Street. Other mountain biking routes exist, such as the M-14 trails, the "Loop of Pain", and trails crossing through Black Woods Ponds park.

Mountain biking trails near Ann Arbor include those at Rolling Hills Park, Maybury State Park, the Potawatomi Trail (in the Pinckney Recreation Area), the Island Lake Park Recreation Area , and the Brighton Recreation Area.

Winter Biking

This gets a bit trickier, but some Ann Arborites cycle year-round. Any amount of snow and ice makes starting and stopping harder and slower. (Note that riding on the street becomes an even better idea, as the streets are generally better cleared of snow than the sidewalks.) You'll need a change of clothes, or at least some shoe covers and face protection - many winter cyclists wear ski goggles to protect their eyes from wind and glare. As always, a good set of lights is essential, especially due to the shorter daylight hours. getDowntown occasionally offers winter biking workshops, and winter cyclists are generally happy to help newbies.

Where to buy a bike

Here are some recommendations on places in town to get a bike or get your bike repaired.

Used Bikes:

Bicycles in Town This has moved to Canton from downtown Ypsilanti.They usually have a couple of good inexpensive used bikes on hand.

Recycle Ann Arbor Reuse Center This place is south of town on South Industrial. I've been by before and they've had some pretty beat up bikes - however I've had it recommended several times

annarbor.craigslist.org Around the start and end of terms people put used bikes up on craigslist. Its a great classified resource for all kinds of used goods.

Common Cycle Located across from the YMCA, on Huron Street. Common Cycle is primarily a bike co-op serving the community to educate bicycle maintenance/repair. Used bicycles repaired and maintained by volunteers are available to purchase.

New Bikes

Two Wheel Tango On Packard. These guys are bike experts and will go out of there way to help you find the right bike for you. The Hoover location closed, but they opened their new shop on the west side (Jackson at Zeeb) in July, 2007. No longer in business.

Great Lakes Cycling & Fitness A family owned shop located at 2015 W. Stadium. New ownership as of '07 and a new location as of March '09. A full compliment service dept. with the fastest turn around in Ann Arbor. Great Lakes carries Cannondale, Giant, Felt, Scott, Electra (Townies) as well as a number of smaller brands. No longer in business.

Wheels in Motion Bike shop for every kind of rider. Family owners have been in the bike shop business in A2 for over 75 years. 3400 Washtenaw. Bike (and car) parking in front, handicap accessible through rear entrance.

Sic Transit Cycles Retail showroom located on 1002 Pontiac Trail and the service garage is at 1033 Broadway Street. Professional bike fitter fitmi! resides at this location.

Bicycle sports

Bike polo

Ann Arbor Bike Polo is polo, on bicycles.

Biking in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor received a Bicycle Friendly Community Award in 2005, and has made major efforts over the past several years to encourage cycling, including development of Non-Motorized Transportation Plans, a Bicycle Master Plan, the earmarking of 5% of the City's share of State gasoline tax receipts to non-motorized transportation, and programs such as getDowntown's "Curb Your Car Month". A number of new bike lanes have been designated recently; the DDA has included bike parking areas in their parking structures, rentable bike lockers in select locations, and bike hoops in their streetscaping efforts; and all AATA buses are equipped with bike racks for mixed-mode commutes.

Bicycles are considered vehicles under Michigan State law and court rulings, and cyclists have all of the rights and responsibilities of automobile drivers. Ann Arbor employs a number of police officers dedicated to enforcing traffic laws for bicycles. The laws are consistently enforced in the downtown area less so further out. Bicyclists are not obligated to ride in the street by Ann Arbor law. However, studies have shown that bicycling in the street is safer by far than bicycling along sidewalks. Bicyclists should "take the lane", except on large arterials with no on-street bicycle facilities, and sidewalk bicycle riding in the downtown is dangerous for pedestrians as well as bicyclists.

Many downtown streets have "cycle route" symbols painted on the pavement to warn drivers, and almost all streets are low-speed enough for cyclists to ride comfortably in traffic. Ann Arbor has 18 miles of designated bike lanes.

Outside of downtown, many of the higher-speed arterial streets have bike lanes on the pavement or "side paths", which are wider than a sidewalk and paved, rather than cement, and often marked as bike routes with signs. The network of dedicated bicycle facilities is planned to expand in coming years. Most cyclists are happy to give route and safety tips to newer cyclists. A front bike light is required by both law and common sense when riding on streets during nighttime or dusk and a rear light is recommended; cycle shops around town carry sets for around $35.00 and will usually install them for you.

Bicycles as art

Mr. B (Mark Braun) has a bicycle custom built to hold his 300+ lb piano.

Circumference has a conference bicycle that seats 6? 8?

Michigan Peaceworks has organized a bicycle chorale of singing riders.

Ann Arbor