If you are trying to commute by bike to or in Ann Arbor, here’s an overview of your options.  This Guide will now be a page on the getDowntown blog.  To view the most updated version of this guide, click on the Page version.

Where to Bike?

If you are new to the area or new to biking, you might want to know which roads in Ann Arbor are the best for bike commuting.  Here are a couple of ways to answer that question:

Maps

• Ann Arbor Bike Map: The City of Ann Arbor has a bike map that shows suggested bike routes (streets with low traffic, bikes lanes, etc.).  The Bike Map is available at the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce (115 W. Huron, 3rd Floor, on the corner of Main and Huron downtown) at many local bike shops, and is also available online by clicking here. A note of caution–this map has not been updated since 2005.
• Border to Border Trail Map: If you want to get from the East side of Washtenaw County to the west (or vice versa) this map is for you.  It shows the Border to Border Trail, which provides a mostly off-street connection from one side of the County to the other.  Many people like to use this trail to get from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor.  Click here for an online Border to Border Map. This map is from 2007.  Not sure where you can get hard copies of them.
• Bike Travel Information Maps: SEMCOG has a listing of Bike Travel Maps for a bunch of counties.

Online resources

• getDowntown suggested Bike Routes to downtown Ann Arbor: getDowntown has created a Google Map with suggested bike routes to downtown Ann Arbor from various directions.  Click here for our map.
• Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition email group: There are many seasoned cyclists on the WBWC email group.  If you want some advice on the best route to take, why not join the group and ask for some help?
• Mapmyride: Features bike routes posted by community members.  This is more for recreation and training than commuting.  Click here to check it out.
• Bikely: Bikely allows people to share their favorite bike routes.  Click here for suggested Ann Arbor routes.
• Bike Map Info from the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
• Google Walking Directions: Most places you can walk are also good for biking.  Why not use Google walking directions to plan a bike route?  Just go to maps.google.com
• Contact us: As always, if you need some extra help, you can always email getDowntown and we can try to point you in the right direction.

Where to Park Your Bike Downtown?

If you are downtown an need a place to park your bike, here are a couple of options:

• Bike Lockers: You can rent a bike locker from getDowntow for $60/year.   These are primarily for Bike Commuters.  Click here for details.
• Covered Bike Parking: Covered bike racks are available at every downtown parking structure as well as on the corner of Fifth and Liberty and at the YMCA.  Click here for a listing of the parking structures with bike parking.
• Bike racks: The getDowntown Program works with the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority to install bike hoops and racks downtown.  To suggest a location for bike parking, contact getDowntown.
• Bike racks and lockers on UM Campus: Click here and scroll down to view  Bike Parking at the University of Michigan.

Bike Laws, Ordinances and Safety

Here’s what you need to know about safe cycling in Ann Arbor:

• Bottom Line: If you are in the street, you are subject to the same laws as a car.  That means you can get ticketed for running red lights and stop signs.
• Bicycle Portions of Michigan’s Vehicle Code: Here are the laws that you need to know.
• Ann Arbor Bike Ordinance Language: Click here for info on the Ann Arbor Bike Ordinances. In cases where the state and local codes conflict, the state code is the one you should obey.
• Bike Safety Brochure: Here is a brochure on bike safety from the City of Ann Arbor.
• Bike Safety Info from getDowntown.

Where to Get A Bike

Bike Shops in Ann Arbor

• Ann Arbor Cyclery (1200 Packard Street in Ann Arbor).
• Great Lakes Cycling and Fitness (2100 W. Stadium in Ann Arbor).
• Two Wheel Tango (3162 Packard and 4765 Jackson Rd in Ann Arbor)
• Wheels in Motion (3100 Washtenaw in Ann Arbor)
• Circumference (Currently under construction, 111 S. Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor)
• REI Ann Arbor (970 W. Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor)
• Ypsilanti Cycle (116 W. Michigan Ave, in Ypsilanti)

Places to Get a Used Bike

• Bike listings on Craigslist
• Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor (200 S. First St, open Saturdays 9am-12pm): There are often bikes for sale here.
• Recycle Ann Arbor Reuse Center (2024 South Industrial): Another place to find used bikes.
  

Reporting Abandoned Bikes and Bike Route Maintenance Issues

• Reporting Abandoned Bikes: The City of Ann Arbor will remove abandoned bikes if you contact them and let them know.
• Reporting Bike Route Maintenance Issues: The City of Ann Arbor has an online system to report maintenance issues.  To report a bike lane maintenance issue, please report “pothole repair” in Step 2.  Click here to let them know any issues you encounter.

Register Your Bike

• Register your bike in the Clerk’s Office at City Hall in downtown Ann Arbor (100 N. Fifth Ave, 2nd Floor).  The law actually requires that you register your bike

Bike Advocacy Organizations

• Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition (WBWC): Local advocacy group for cyclists in Washtenaw County.
• Bike Ypsi: Bike advocacy and event group that focuses mostly on Ypsilanti.
• Programs to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC): PEAC’s purpose is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities by using cycling for transportation, integrated recreation, fitness, and therapy.
• League of Michigan Bicycists: Advocacy and resources for Michigan Bicyclists
• League of American Bicyclists: Advocacy and resources for bicyclists.

Recreational Biking Groups

• Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society: Organizes bike rides and other events throughout Ann Arbor.
• Ann Arbor Velo Club: Also organizes bike rides in Ann Arbor.
• Michigan Mountain Biking Association: For those who like to Mountain Bike.
  

Bikes on the Bus

Every AATA Bus has a bike rack for your bike.  Combining biking with riding the bus can save you time and give you a chance to get some exercise.  Click here for step-by-step instructions for putting your bike on the bus.

Bike Riding Hints and Tips

Here are some basic hints and tips to keep in mind when commuting by bike:

• Beginner Commuting Tips from the Commute by Bike Blog.
• Commuting with Kids from the getDowntown blog.
• An overview on Commuting with Kids from the Commute by Bike Blog.
• Winter bike handling and clothing hints and tips from getDowntown.
• Winter commuting info from the getDowntown Blog.
• Suggestions on dealing with sweat when you bike.

Other Bike Commuting Resources

• Bike-related blog posts on the getDowntown Blog.
• City of Ann Arbor Bike Page
• East Quad Bike Co-op
• Commute by Bike Blog
• Cycleliciuos
• m-bike.org: Info on biking in Metro Detroit
• #bike and #biking on Twitter.
  

Now that we’ve had a week of the Commuter Challenge under our belt, how are things shaping up?  Here’s my report as of 10am on Friday, May 8th.

The Numbers

So far, 137 Organizations and 1646 participants have signed up for the Challenge.  This is by far the most we’ve ever had!  Of those participants, 977 have logged at least 1 sustainable commute.  Collectively, we’ve logged 38,213 miles and avoided 32,706 lbs of CO2!

The Winners

Here’s who’s winning the Challenge so far.  View updated stats here.

1 Person Orgs: This is a close race, with Garrett Scott Bookseller and Gardner Communications tied for first, with Keystone Media, Suwanee Springs, and UM Professional Nurse Council close behind.

2-9 Person Orgs: Ghostly International and Friends is floating to the top in this category with Mike Green and Associaties and the Greenway Collaborative racing to catch up.

10-24 Person Orgs: UM-Volling Lab (a late entrant in the Challenge) has the lead in this category, with SRT Solutions and Above the Treeline battling it out for 2nd place.

25-99 Person Orgs: This has been a really close competition, with Menlo Innovations currently in the lead and Quinn Evans | Architects right behind.  REI Ann Arbor and Arbor Brewing Company are also strong contenders.

100-499 Person Orgs: Another good race, with JSTOR out in front and Zingerman’s Delicatessan and Google closing in.

So what will these Orgs win if they win the Challenge?  Click here to find out.

Prizes, We Got Your Prizes!

We’ve been giving out 4 prizes every day during the Commuter Challenge.  These week, we gave out prizes to people who logged a bus commute.  Next week, we’ll be giving out prizes to those who log a bike commute.  Check out who’s winning our prizes here.

We also have our Ambassadors out there as part of the Commuter Challenge Prize Patrol.  Maybe they’ll give you a prize.

Know someone who’s been a Super Commuter during the Commuter Challenge?  Why not nominate them for a Super Commuter Prize?

Awards

Is your organization showing a real commitment to being green during the Commuter Challenge?  Nominate them for a Green Hero Award.

Looking Ahead

Next week is I Like Bikes Week. The Week after that is Walking is Wonderful Week.  Click here to check out all of the Commuter Challenge events.

In honor of I Like Bikes Week, some of the Staff at Ann Arbor Cyclery are putting together a bike scavenger hunt on May 10 at 4pm.  Here are the details:

Bike Scavenger Hunt (Sunday, May 10, 4pm, Northwest Corner of Diag at State and N. University)

Join us for this family-friendly, fun-filled event! Participants will have to visit “commuting themed” checkpoints like bike lockers and bike racks. By visiting each check point and completing the course, you will receive a raffle ticket towards prizes. All ages and skill levels can participate and families can participate as a team.