FYI:

Bike Ypsi (the Ypsilanti Bicycling Coalition)

A 15 mile ride through Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. Rain, Shine, or Snow.

The ride leaves Sunday, October 21st from the Recreation Park pavilion near the pool and senior center on Congress Street in Ypsilanti. Ends at Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery on Forest Street. Come prepared to map your favorite rides and share bicycling tips and ideas! Bike racks provided in back lot. Need more info? www.midtown.ypsi.com or 734-330-0555.

Can you post the flyer? Download it at:

http://www.midtown.ypsi.com/news/articles/bikeride3.pdf

More about the Ypsi Biking Coalition:

Ypsilanti Bicycling Coalition

       A new bicycling group has come to Ypsilanti: the Ypsilanti Bicycling Coalition or Bike Ypsi. After an email from Chief of Police Matt Harshberger regarding the new rule enforcement of no bicycling on the sidewalks in Downtown and Depot Town Ypsilanti, an email exchange among Ypsilanti residents began. Following that email exchange, it became clear that a group should meet to talk about bicycle safety and rules of the road.

       The first meeting was held at Cafe Luwak with local bicyclists, the Chief of Police, and a representative from the City. At that meeting it quickly became apparent that there were alot of niches this group needed to fill. Education and Outreach about bicyclist/motorist safety in Ypsilanti, Bicyclist visibility, Road sharing, Road quality, Bike Rack needs, and Bike path quality (to name a few issues) for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike. The group also wanted to be sure to have social rides for folks in Ypsilanti. Ideas on where to get materials, how to pay for them, how to outreach to schools and community members, and what other community and government groups needed to be at the table, were all items of discussion. Bob Krzewinksi, from the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition (www.wbwc.org), has offered excellent advice and pointers throughout the process.

       A second meeting (at Bombadills cafe- attended by staff from the County, Lily Guzman, and local bicyclists) was held to discuss and plan the Fall Ride, as well as review bicycle literature, and try to come up with ideas for “no biking on the sidewalk” signs for Downtown and Depot Town.

The first social event that the Ypsilanti Bicycling Coalition has planned is a ride on October 21st.

▪ Where: Ride leaves from the Rec Park Pavilion on Congress Street in Ypsilanti. The pavilion is located near the senior center and Rutherford Pool. The ride ends at the Corner Brewery on Forest Street (estimated end time 4:30 PM).

▪ When: Sunday, October 21st at 2:10 PM.

▪ Why: To meet other local bikers, learn some more roads and local routes in Ypsi. At the Corner Brewery, we will have a large County map for folks to draw their favorite rides on. We will also have a short bicycling survey, vote on the tag line for “Bike Ypsi”, and more!

▪ How: 15 miles by bicycle through Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti township.

The group plans to hold a bicycle ride in the spring for those at all skill levels. The spring event will also include bike maintenance workshops.

If you would like to get involved, please contact Natalie Holbrook at nat_m_hol@yahoo.com or by phone at (734) 330-0555