Category: Announcements

Bike Parking Returns To Homecoming

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For the second year cyclists will have a safe and secure place to park their bikes at 38532468_2074272046224351_7538949574908444672_nthe 2019 Dearborn Homecoming festival. Last year 200 bikes were parked and secured by Bike Dearborn volunteers during the 3 day event. Bike Dearborn has partnered with the City of Dearborn once again to offer the Free Bike Parking service located at the tennis courts on Monroe St. next to the carnival area of the festival. Volunteers from Bike Dearborn will issue claim tickets for parked bikes which will be stored and supervised within the tennis courts fence. The service is free, but donations will be accepted which will go towards Bike Dearborn’s bike advocacy efforts. Additionally, all patrons of the Bike Parking will be able to enter a raffle for free giveaway items.

The 4th Annual Homecoming Family Bike Ride is on Aug. 3 rolling 9 a.m.  The 36840333_2044194125898810_934586090495410176_napproximately eight-mile bike ride will wend its way through Dearborn and includes mid-point rest stop. This is a family-friendly, police-supported ride for cyclists of all ages. Helmets are required, and kids need to be with an adult. Registration begins at 8 a.m. for this free event. The ride departs and end at the tennis courts; riders are encouraged to take advantage of the free Bike Parking after the ride so they can enjoy the festival.

The City of Dearborn and Bike Dearborn are also working with Zagster, Dearborn’s bike share provider, to host a virtual bike share station near the Bike Parking location as well.  During the dates of the Homecoming festival a virtual station still be shown within the Zagster phone app which will allow for users of the bike share program start and/or end their rides at the festival grounds.  Those interested in the bike share program can have their questions answered by Bike Dearborn volunteers at the Bike Parking location.

Bike Parking hours of operation are: Friday Aug 2nd 2:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday Aug 38501209_2075515056100050_1370103299092512768_n3rd 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm, and Sunday 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm. All bikes must be reclaimed by the end of the night each day. No overnight bike parking will be allowed.

Bike Dearborn is a grassroots organization that is dominating the bike advocacy efforts in Dearborn by focusing on creating a safe bicycling community and culture. Bike Dearborn not only promotes the recreational use of biking but the sustainable and equitable sides of bicycling as a form of transportation as well. The healthy benefits of biking for Dearborn residents and environmental sustainability are integral elements of the organization. Find out more about Bike Dearborn at www.bikedearborn.com

A Special Soul

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I was greeted with excitement as I pulled up to Haley’s house, as she ran up to me waving with a retro faded red wonder woman t-shirt on and R2-D2 socks, asking me to come play with her. Haley is one of our youngest Bike Dearborn participants; 4 years old. This one warms my heart every time I hear her sweet “thank you” shout-outs, as she pedals by me with her mom, Jessica, and her grandpa, Fred.  Her first ride with Bike Dearborn was last season at our Beaumont ride, where we first meet.  Jessica asked me to take a picture of the two of them and that’s when our friendship began.

Haley sports her Raphael Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle helmet, knee, and elbow pads when she joins us almost every week!  Raphael wears a red scarf around his eyes, which happens to be Haley’s favorite color. Raphael happens to be know as “The Dynamo”.  I would say that Haley fits most of his characteristics (I had to do some research): bold, original, sociable, and naturally are just a few to name!  I asked Haley why she likes Raphael the best, and she said, “he saves people and fights the bad guys”.

I spent at least an hour and a half with Haley.  We rescued her Pet Shop figures from being immersed in pink and green slim, played outside, and I got the opportunity to meet “Bosley”, the family’s German Shepard.  Haley was full of energy, as she gave me the grand tour of her house!  She was a gracious hostess offering me a tangerine and a bottle of water, as I sat on her couch to start the interview.  Haley shared with me that her favorite part of our rides is all the playgrounds we roll by.

Not only does Haley love to ride her bike, but she loves to dance!  I ended our visit with Haley and her mom sitting on her front porch, as she flipped through her favorite new book laughing and bringing life to, The Little Fur Family!  Haley will be on her way to Sacred Heart come fall; wish her luck!  I had many laughs with Haley and her mom!  This one has a special soul:)

Jen (#corkergirl)

 

               

         

 

 

 

 

2019 Dearborn Homecoming Bike Parking Attendants Needed

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Last year in 2018, we introduced an idea of Bike Valet Parking at Dearborn’s Homecoming festival celebration. It was a great success!!

Free and Secure Bike Parking for Dearborn Homecoming

The members and volunteers of Bike Dearborn set up a secured parking area for residents and visitors of Homecoming to ride in and drop off their bicycles to be watched by our volunteer attendants. Over the course of the 3 day festival, we parked and monitored over 300 bicycles! This service is absolutely FREE!!

This year, 2019, we’ll be stationed in the same location, using the tennis courts at Ford Field to safely park and secure bicycles. once again, this service will be free!
Friday August 2, 2019: 2p-10p
Saturday August 3, 2019: 12p-11p
Sunday August 4, 2019: 12p-11p

Free and Secure Bike Parking for Dearborn Homecoming

We do need help though. If you have time to spare for a 2 hour shift, we need volunteers to take in and release bicycles to their owners as they come and go from Homecoming. We’ll be conveniently located at the tennis courts near restrooms, the Polish tent, and the beer tent. We need a minimum of 2 volunteers per shift….3 would be ideal as we expect to park more bike this year than last. The closing shift would ideally need 4 volunteers as this is the busiest time after the fireworks!!

If you are interested please sign up using the following Signup Genius link. Please only volunteer if you will be 100% committed to help! We will gladly sign for any community service hours for your volunteer help.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b044cafa922a7f49-2019

Contact us with any questions.

Bike Dearborn Public Bike Repair Stations

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Have you seen them? With the help of many, Bike Dearborn has been able to install THREE public bike repair stations around the city. Thank you to all who made it possible to provide these for the resident and visitor cyclists in our city.
These stations feature all the tools necessary for on the fly flat tire repairs (patches and tubes not included) including an air pump that fits both types of bike tire valves as well as most tools for other quick maintenance issues.

We hope to add more in the future.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a station, please contact us.

Our first station is located between the two parking structures that are adjacent to the West Village Commons area. Funding was provided by Downtown Dearborn and the League of Michigan Bicyclists.

Our Second Station is located at the Rouge Gateway trailhead across from the John Dingell Transit Center. Funding was provided by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Mayor O’Reilly, and Dearborn Brewing.

  • Funding provided by the League of Michigan Bicyclists, Mayor O'Reilly, and Dearborn Brewing

Our third station can be found along Michigan Avenue at the Zagster Bike Share Station in front of the City Hall Art Space Lofts and City Hall Park. Funding was provided by Discount Tire Company.

BIKE DEARBORN UPHOLDING DECADES OLD TRADITION- FIRST DOZEN

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In the absence of the 40+ year tradition of the Annual Dearborn Cycling Saddlemen First Dozen Ride, Bike Dearborn is putting our own spin on it to continue this Dearborn 12 mile Tradition!!
We will be doing registration at Biggby West Dearborn(Michigan/Military). This ride is free, but we need you to register upon arrival. It is our hopes that in lieu of a registration fee, you will support a small business like Biggby who supports us in true Bike Dearborn fashion! HELMETS ARE REQUIRED

This ride is FREE to participate! We will look into future event fees for fundraising purposes, but with the last minute organization of this event, we want to make it as simple as possible!!!

The ride will start promptly at 2p. Registration for this free event will start at 1:15p. You must register and sign a waiver to participate.

RIDE OPTIONS:
Mass start at 2:00p!
1. Ride the given route at your own pace faster than our designated group.
2. Ride with our designated group with a ride leader taking you along the route, and a small support team to make sure everyone stays together. Pace will be about 10mph
3. Ride the given route at your own pace slower than the designated group. There will be sweepers on the route to make sure everyone finishes safely.
We will also have a truck on call for any participants not able to finish the course.

HELMETS ARE REQUIRED.

Please make sure to have a spare tube in case you need it. We will help change the flat, but you need to have the appropriate supply!
Helmets are mandatory! You will be riding on the open road throughout west Dearborn…sharing the road with motor vehicles. You are required to follow the law and stop at all red lights! Ride no more than two abreast, and be courteous to the motor vehicles as you would want them to be to you.
If you are riding with the main group, we operate as one vehicle and will have a light support team to help get everyone through the major intersections.
We hope to have a couple of volunteers to slowly make their way through the route behind ALL participants to make sure no one is left behind. We also hope to have a vehicle available with a bike rack should someone not be able to finish, or have a mechanical issue that can’t be repaired on the road. Children are welcome with an accompanying adult…you will be on open roads with vehicles. Helmets are required. You must sign a waiver before the ride releasing the City of Dearborn and Bike Dearborn from any liability.

THANKS, LEAGUE OF MICHIGAN BICYCLISTS – BETTER BIKING IN DEARBORN

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The Better Bike Project is a first for the City of Dearborn. Through this project Bike Dearborn has been able to install the first two Public Use Bike Repair Stations in the City. These Bike Fixation brand Deluxe Public Work Stands include a bike pump and all the tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, from changing a flat to adjusting brakes and derailleurs. The stations have a high visibility powder coat and feature vinyl graphics with the LMB logo and the other funders of this project.

The first repair station is located on the upcoming Discover Dearborn Bike Route in the heart of West Downtown Dearborn. This location is within close proximity to many popular restaurants, retail shops, and a summer farmer’s market. Near an existing Bike Share station and new bike parking corral, this highly visible location by the West Village Commons Plaza is sure to be a hit. Funding for this station came from the LMB micro-grant and the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority

The second repair station will be located along the extremely popular Rouge River Gateway Trail, just on the outskirts of West Downtown Dearborn. This repair station will be located on an existing concrete slab at the trailhead in close proximity of the trailhead parking lot, John D. Dingell Transit Center, Ford Field Regional Park and the Dearborn Historical Museum. Funding for this station came from the LMB grant, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly’s One Dearborn Foundation,  and Dearborn Brewing.

The second station has been purchased but installation has been delayed due to construction by Wayne County. A “fishway” passage is being constructed by the century-old Jens Jensen dam at Henry Ford’s Fairlane Estate. This construction has caused a closure of the Rouge River Gateway Trail near the installation site. The repair station will be placed at the trailhead in the next few months once it is verified that it will not be damaged by construction traffic.

The City of Dearborn has generously donated the time and labor of the DPW crew to install the stations. The City and related departments have been extremely supportive of this project.

Bike Dearborn looks forward to continuing this project in the future with additional stations throughout all areas of the City.  Thank you League of Michigan Bicyclists for seeing the vision of our organization and being a part of our celebration of Better Biking in Dearborn! 
www.lmb.org
​www.bikedearborn.com