Press release from the Hub of Detroit, one of America’s largest bicycle co-ops:

Contact: Bradley Iott and Jason Fiedler

BIKE DONATIONS FOR YOUTH BIKE GIVEAWAY

The HUB of Detroit seeks donations of youth bicycles for its biannual Youth Bike Giveaway. Last year, the program gave away over 100 bikes. This year the HUB will distribute approximately 100 bikes to children ages 4-8 on June 18th and 21st. Additionally, the program will educate children and their families on safe riding habits though an informative safety packet given with each bike. Diligent volunteers will be recycling and refurbishing donated bikes prior to the giveaway. We ask that bikes have wheels 20 inches or smaller to accommodate this age group, but any bike will be accepted.

Donated bikes can be brought to The HUB’s retail shop at 3611 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 during shop hours:

• Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-6 PM
• Sunday 12-2 PM
• Monday by appointment

If you work for an organization that helps out families that could benefit from a free bike or if you would like to volunteer at The HUB, please contact Jason Fiedler at jason@thehubofdetroit.org.

If you have a child ages 9-16 years old, they may be eligible to get a free bike through the HUB’s Earn-A-Bike program. For more information about that program, please contact Darrin Brouhard at darrin@thehubofdetroit.org.

The HUB of Detroit is a non-profit bike shop in the Cass Corridor. It’s mission is to provide cycling education and services with a focus on youth development, sustainable practices, and community access. To accomplish these goals, The HUB offers a variety of youth programs, including Youth Earn A Bike, Mechanics in Training, and the Youth Bike Giveaway.

The Metro Times has a best of Detroit 2011 issue which lists winners based on a public survey and staff picks. As in years past, some of these awards are bike-related.

Readers Poll

Best Bicycle Shop in Detroit – The Hub won this for the third time. “How can you not love a place that’s making a difference on, with and for two wheels?

Best Bicycle Shop in the Suburbs — Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop grabbed this award, which was a bit of a surprise given their that they’re new. Last year it went to Continental Bikes in Hazel Park.

Staff Picks

Best Food Delivery Business — Hot Spokes, the group delivering food on bike in the Midtown/Downtown area, was picked by the MT staff.

Take-out delivered via bike may not be big news in most major cities, but as are many things, it’s a bit of a novelty in Detroit. But novelty or not, it also makes sense — pedaling from Midtown to downtown takes noticeably less time than fighting traffic and hunting down a parking spot (and who ever has change for the meter?)

Best Antidote to a Beer Belly — Staff chose the indoor Roller Races which have been hosted at various bars around the Detroit area. And last week the Hub hosted a very unique tandem roller race.

The new trend that popped up in the last year of racing on stationary bikes in bars allows for just such a thing — drink, race, drink some more. Bikers who usually hibernate during fall rains and winter snows can stay in shape, maintain their skills and show-off in front of bar flies and curious first-timers. It’s a new way to pick up chicks, settle scores and challenge friends and strangers for free beers.

Best Blog for Bicyclists — m-bike.org won. We’re blushing. It’s recognition like this that makes the late-time, labor of love efforts worth it.

The stated goal, says author Todd Scott, is to promote safe and convenient bicycling in metro Detroit. Whether it’s announcements of community forums, analyses of master plans and their inclusion (or exclusion) of cycling, collections of media reports about cycling events and policies or just plain funny cycling tidbits, find it here.

Thank you, Metro Times — and all that you do for cycling coverage in Southeast Michigan.

All three of Detroit’s three Bike Friendly Businesses are hosting events this Saturday, April 23rd.

10am until 1pm

OmniCorpDetroit has their Uber Back event at 1501 Division in Eastern Market — and they’ll have frankenbikes.

Come give us a look and make yourself some swag at OCD’s first UBER HACK! There will be music, our very own Tesla Coil, Paper Helicopter workshops, Seed Bomb demonstrations, Frankenbikes and other fabulous disruptions. Curious about our space? Come and check it out, we’ve spring-cleaned just for you! You can even bring the wee ones, as there will be plenty for all to make and enjoy.

They’ll have some pickle lights, too.

12pm to 3pm

The Wheelhouse Detroit has already kicked off their bike touring season. This Saturday is their Belle Isle tour ($25 or $35 with bike rental)

Explore the architecture of Detroits island gem, including the Eero Saarinen-designed Flynn Pavilion, the Albert Kahn-designed Aquarium, the Boat and Yacht Clubs, the Casino and Livingstone Lighthouse. A sampling of the parks numerous statues will be discussed, including General Alpheus Starkey Williams and his famous horse Plug Ugly and Scott Fountain. The tours includes stops at the Conservatory, Nature Center and Dossin Great Lakes Museum.

4pm to 7pm

The Hub of Detroit is having their Spring Open House.

This basically gives everyone a chance to come by and see our space, ask questions and find out how they can link into what we do. If we’ve ever been too busy to answer a question of yours, now is the time to come ask. We will also have many of our community partners on hand to tell you about their projects as well.

We’re not sure if the scheduling of these events was intentional, but one could certainly do all three.

Via the Hub of Detroit

The League of American Bicyclists recently recognized the Wheelhouse Detroit and OminCorpDetroit for being Bicycle Friendly Businesses. Both were given Bronze awards and join the Hub of Detroit, who received a Gold award last year.

Detroit now has three recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses of the seven in Michigan. Nationally, Detroit is now tied with cities like Austin and Boulder, but notably behind the leading cities like Portland and Minneapolis.

Businesses in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park that are interested in knowing more about this program can contact the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA). MTGA can provide training and assist with the application.

Having recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses also helps cities earn Bicycle Friendly Communities awards. Applying for such as award was discussed at the last Detroit Non-motorized External Task Force meeting. The city is interested in applying once some additional bicycle infrastructure projects are completed.

From The Hub of Detroit. Note that the ride begins at 2:30pm at the Hub of Detroit (3611 Cass Avenue in Detroit):

Thank you to everyone who made the 1st Annual Safe Streets Youth Ride an incredible success! Your donations and support keep the youth education programs at The Hub of Detroit going strong.

Everyone had a blast cruising with signs and streamers through Eastern Market, The Heidelberg Project, the Riverwalk, and downtown! Check www.thehubofdetroit.org for the action pictures we took on the ride, which we’ll post as soon as we gather them.

We have begun planning the 2nd Annual Safe Streets Youth Ride for August 28th 2010, and we are excited to announce that registration is now open! You can continue to support the program and its future graduates by registering for your ticket now!

http://safestreetsyouthride.eventbrite.com/

Please register for an Adult Cyclist ticket ($25) to attend the August 28th 2010 ride, or specify the donation of your choice if you want to give without attending the ride. All donations support The Hub’s youth education programs.