When you go for a bike ride in Detroit, you’re taking part in a long history. The first recorded bike ride in Detroit was taken by Ben Fletcher on December 18th, 1868. While the bikes look a little different today, biking is still a great way to get outside and explore Detroit!

The American Velocipede, a 1868 wood engraving from Harper’s Weekly

Called one of the top 8 biking cities in the world by Talking Heads member and cycling advocate David Byrne, Detroit has plenty of great bike paths, trails, and local bike shops to help you get started. Even if you’ve already got a bike, most shops also offer additional services like tune-ups, repair, or tours of the city.

Here are a few different options for locally owned bike shops around Detroit:

  1. Metropolis Cycles – 2117 Michigan Ave.
  2. Wheelhouse Detroit – 1340 Atwater St.
  3. The Hub of Detroit – 3611 Cass Ave.
  4. Bike Tech – 18401 E Warren Ave.
  5. Southwest Rides – 1824 Springwells St.
  6. Downtown Detroit Bike Shop – 412 Peterboro St.
  7. Detroit Bikes – 1216 Griswold St.

Once you’ve got a bike and are ready to ride, there are lots of different options for biking around Detroit. The city is fairly bike-friendly because it is mostly flat and many roads offer bike lanes, with 255 total miles of bike trails in the city. In addition to road biking, there are lots of scenic routes that also make for a great ride. 

Some options include:

  1. The Dequindre Cut. A two-mile ride that takes you from Eastern Market to the Detroit River.
  2. The Detroit Riverwalk.  Five and a half miles in total, this route takes you along the riverfront from the Ambassador Bridge all the way to Belle Isle.
  3. Belle Isle. At almost five and a half miles, this trail circles the outer edge of Belle Isle.

Enjoy yourself, but remember to be safe! Always wear a helmet and stay aware of your surroundings while biking.