The Heritage Newspaper’s Press and Guide had a recent article on greenways in Metro Detroit.

It’s a good article with a focus more on the Dearborn, Detroit, and Downriver areas.

Still, we’re a little unclear about some statements.

Detroit is leading the way in the endeavor, and currently has more greenways than any other city in the country, quite a change for a city that built its reputation on the automobile. In Detroit’s favor, it is a city with many, many miles of unused railways, which advocates hope will eventually be converted totally to greenways.

We’re not sure the city of Detroit has more greenways than any other city, but it could very well be among the leaders from an investment perspective.

And this is a great quote from Tom Woiwode of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

“Ultimately, the goal of the GreenWays Initiative is to connect all the communities in southeast Michigan and to link the system with projects outside the region,” said Woiwode. “In the meantime, watching as greenways are embraced by a region known for the automobile continues to be a pleasure.”

The article does end on a flat note.

“Every day, we are a little closer to being able to travel the whole tri-county area without ever setting foot on a road.”

That’s neither true nor realistic — and not even desirable. Many of the planned greenways in Detroit are partially, if not 100% on the road.

Riding on roads is not a bad thing to be avoided. What we need to avoid is building roads that don’t safely accommodate bicyclists. We need Complete Streets.

Chances are we’re not building a greenway to your front door. Or your school. Or your work. We just need to fix the roads between your starting and ending points.

I just received these photos from Michael Boettcher, the Executive Director for the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority. We had a small group which was perhaps due to it being the Friday before Memorial Day Weekend. Still, it was a great ride from Dearborn to Campus Martius.

Last Friday was Detroit Synergy’s organized bike to work day from Downtown Dearborn to Campus Martius in Detroit.  It was a light turnout, which was surprising giving the great weather and high gas prices.  Perhaps many were getting an early start on their Memorial Day Weekend plans.

Nonetheless, we had a great ride straight down Michigan Avenue.  Channel 7 came out and covered the ride. Thanks to Alex, Detroit Synergy, Michael Boettcher (East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority), the Dearborn Police, and the Mercury Coffee Shop.

Here is the latest all-in-one schedule for bike to work week in Detroit. Note that the Wednesday American Cycle and Fitness ride is now on Thursday due to the weather forecast. Their Commerce-to-Southfield route is canceled. Detroit Synergy’s Grosse Pointe ride has also been canceled.

• May 14th, Wednesday, 7pm, REI’s free Bike Commuting workshop at their Troy store.
• May 15th, Thursday, 6:30am, American Cycle & Fitness, Royal Oak to Campus Martius.
• May 15th, Thursday, 6:30am, American Cycle & Fitness, Grosse Pointe to Campus Martius.
• May 16th, Friday, Detroit Synergy
  • 6:25am Royal Oak Farmer’s Market
  • 6:40am Ferndale Post Office
  • 6:55am Palmer Park, Woodward at Merrill Plaisance
  • 7:20am New Center/Techtown at Java Exchange
  • 7:35am Cultural Center/Midtown at Wayne State Welcome Center
  • 8:00am Campus Martius
  • 5:30pm Campus Martius back to Royal Oak
• May 23rd, Friday, Detroit Synergy
  • 6:45am Dearborn City Hall
  • 7:30am Corktown/Southwest Detroit at 14th Street/Mercury Coffee Bar
  • 8:00am Campus Martius
  • 5:30pm Campus Martius back to Dearborn

You can still register to win a commuter bike from American Cycle and Fitness.

If you still need motivation, the AP recently ran a story on bike commuting’s growing popularity.

Bicycle shops across the country are reporting strong sales so far this year, and more people are bringing in bikes that have been idled for years, he said.

“People are riding bicycles a lot more often, and it’s due to a mixture of things but escalating gas prices is one of them,” said Bill Nesper, spokesman for the Washington. D.C.-based League of American Bicyclists.

“We’re seeing a spike in the number of calls we’re getting from people wanting tips on bicycle commuting,” he said.