Detroit Metro Times: Planning, advocacy and fewer cars could make city a cycling mecca

[marmar]

Pedaling influence
Planning, advocacy and fewer cars could make city a cycling mecca

By Sandra Svoboda


All it took for Jacinda Gant to join the ranks of cyclists was a test ride.

A regular walker, she was on Detroit's RiverWalk in early May and spotted the Wheelhouse at Rivard Park, just east of the Renaissance Center, where bikes are sold, rented and fixed.

Gant, who works in the Salvation Army's food service offices, wandered up, asked some questions, and checked out a couple of the bikes. Leaving her purse and keys as collateral, she rode for all of 10 minutes before she rolled back to the Wheelhouse. Out came the credit card and the 25-year-old paid for half of a $340 model known as a "comfort bike" because its configuration makes it seem more like she's sitting in a chair than a saddle.

"I haven't had a bike since I was 12," Gant says. "When I got my driver's license, no more biking. It wasn't cool anymore."

Three weeks later she had paid for the bike and was a regular rider, pedaling her way through the Motor City. She reports riding it every day the first week she had it.

"I love the ease of it. I'm getting exercise, and it's not even like exercise," she said last week while casually pedaling among the mass of walkers on the RiverWalk. "And this is such a great view." ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.metrotimes.com/news/story.asp?id=15100

[ladjf]

1. It's the 1890's all over again. nt

[zipplewrath]

2. Wait til winter

I actually think Detroit, and probably some other metro areas, have an opportunity here to replan their cities around more public transport, and less cars. In the long run they could do well with attractive infrastructure to bring in new businesses. Detroit better plan around winter, snow, and ice though.

[marmar]

3. Detroit can take lessons from Montreal.....a great biking city with a winter....

....that's far more brutal than Detroit's.