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The Legacy of Bicycles in Detroit Michigan: A look at greenways through time Todd Scott Detroit Greenways Coalition [email protected] Gwen Gell Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning University of Michigan [email protected] Greenways are constantly evolving and changing infrastructure. Greenways are trails accessible to non-motorized forms of movement which provide ecological, transportation, and connective functions within an urban area. For the purposes of this piece, the term “greenways” also includes bicycle infrastructure on roadways. As a city’s land uses change, new administrations come into power, and the economy fluctuates, greenways and bicycle routes shift. This brief report highlights the change in greenways overtime in an effort to illustrate the story of non- motorized transportation in the City of Detroit. Detroit’s topography is favorable to bicycles. The expansive flat land makes for a pleasant experience biking thought the city. While there has been an increase in ridership and bicycle infrastructure in recent years, the known legacy of bicycles began prior to the automobile and contributed to the development of the Motor City. Timeline Pre-1700 Established Native American networksi throughoutii the regioniii were the first greenways in Southeast Michigan. Early surveyors map the trails created and used by the Anishinaabe, Wyandot, Iroquois, Fox, Miami, and Sauk tribesiv. The present-day grid patterns of the region follow these original Native American pathways. 1701 Cadillac establishes Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit - this is considered the ‘founding’ of the modern City of Detroit 1851 The first velocipede is for sale in Detroit 1868 On December 18th, on Jefferson Avenue, the Detroit Journal reports the first velocipede ride in Detroit. 1879 The first bicycle club in Detroit is formed 1880 The Good Roads Movement Begins in the United States, started by cyclists, to advocate for improved roads 1884 The Detroit Free Press publishes an expose on an international cycle tour, titled The Great Canada Bicycle Tour.v Written by President Bates of the Detroit Bicycle Club, the piece highlights the journey starting in Detroit, Michigan on July 2, 1883, crossing Ontario, and ending in Buffalo, New York on July 12, 1883. Cycling, at this time, was an activity engaged primarily by upper-class men and was considered a gentleman’s sport. From the drawings in the article, we can infer these men were crossing the country on bicycles with a very large front wheel, or Penny Farthing. Cyclists, or wheelmen, were likely riding on gravel, wood, and dirt road conditions. The article highlights not only Detroit’s bicycle legacy, but the beginnings of an international bicycle relationship. 1893 Mayor Pingree’s unrealized initiatives included developing the riverfront as a public space and expanding the inner greenspace of the city for citizens of Detroit - part of his expanding welfare platform.vi 1896 In April, the Detroit Free Press publishes an insert called Outside Runs: Guide Map of City of Detroit for Bicyclists, Showing Pavement.vii This map indicates the material of roads for cyclists including, wood, asphalt, brick, macadam, and granite. In addition to materials, the map also highlights longer day trips outside of the city. (Charles Brady King drove the first automobile in Detroit the month prior to the bicycle map being made) 1906 Ed Hines, an avid cyclist and leader of the Detroit Wheelmen, is elected as Wayne County Road Commissioner. He is a passionate supporter of the Good Roads Movement and is influenced by creating safe roads for all users. He begins implementing the median line on roads in Southeast Michigan.viii “I can remember in the early ‘90s when it seemed as if every man in Detroit rode a bike. Now it seems as if every other man you know owns an automobile and the ‘bikes’ have been relegated to the rear for use by messengers and errand boys,” – Wayne County Road Commissioner Ed Hines, 1914 The Detroit Newsix 1929 The Ambassador Bridge opens between Detroit and Windsor, for cars, bicycles and pedestrians. 1936 The Detroit News Hiking Club is formedx. This club was active up until WWII. 1970 Bicycle interest and funding stagnates for nearly 80 years - between the 1890s and the 1970s. Automobiles provide personal freedom to travel but lead to auto- dominant roadways. Building a city which accommodates the automobile becomes the top priority for Detroit, the Motor City. Industrialization and urban sprawl, amongst many other factors, creates roadways hostile non-motorized forms of transportation. In the 1970s, due to national oil shortages and the environmental movement, cities across the nation became a platform for bicycle activism and insurgence. The Bike Boomxi brought bicycles to the attention of decision makers. City leadership across the country completed feasibility studies, but little action was taken. 1972 The State of Michigan road funding changes to require a minimum of 1% to be spent on non-motorized uses. The legislator who led that effort, Dick Allen, suggests Detroit use its funding to build a protected bike lane network. 1976 The publication of a report titled The Land & The River by the Interagency Task Force for Detroit/Wayne County Riverfront Development. This study inventories riverfront lands and takes stock of future possibilities beyond an industrial waterfront. 1977 City administration completes an exploratory study of linking the riverfront, Policies and Possible Futures for the Riverfront, 1977.xii This conceptual plan examines the feasibility of non-traditional uses of the riverfront, including providing accessibility to bicycles, access for pedestrians, and building dense housing along the Detroit River. 1979 Linked Riverfront Park Projects is a report of recommendations for the Detroit Riverfront created for the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department 1980 Marina/Canal Feasibility is developed out of the Linked Riverfront Park Projectsxiii 1981 West Riverfront Bicycle/Pedestrian Routexiv is an analysis of the riverfront which identifies different possible routes, designs, and implementation. This is prepared by the City of Detroit’s Recreation Department and developed out of the larger Linked Riverfront Parks Project Mt. Elliott Interpretive Center: an adaptive reuse planxv reports on the possibilities on how to reuse the US Coast Guard Group/Base between Heart Plaza and Belle Isle 1982 Detroit’s East Riverfront: the people and places of yesterdayxvi is a historical report identifying recreation opportunities on the east riverfront for the City of Detroit’s Recreation Department. Detroit East Riverfront Bikeway Construction Projectxvii is a report containing details about implementing a bicycle path along the riverfront. This was prepared for the City of Detroit’s Recreation Department 1985 Know Your Riverfront: a historical information brochurexviii is published by the Detroit Recreation Department 1986 In 1986, the Rails to Trails Conservancy is established. This organization spurs greenway development and efforts across the country. 1989 The Michigan Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is founded. It coordinates the construction and transition of old rail lines to greenways across the state. 1990 Throughout the 1990s, Southeast Michigan and Detroit sees an increase in organizing and planning for greenway and bicycle infrastructure. Southeast Michigan Greenways Initiative is established to champion greenways 1994 City of Detroit Land Use plan includes greenways as one of their 5 keys to city redevelopment Southeast Michigan Greenways: Wayne County Report 1997 Rail to Trails publishes Southeast Michigan Greenways: A regional overview – Vision, Tools, Processxix 1998 Rails to Trails Conservancy and National Park Service releases: A Vision for Southeast Michigan Greenways Detroit River selected as 1 of 14 American Heritage Rivers, established under the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition. Creating linked greenways is identified as 1 of 5 top priorities. 1999 Southwest Detroit Riverfront Greenway Project Publishes: Detroit’s New Front Porchxx Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative establishes linked greenways between 21 Downriver Communities 2000 As the City’s agency and momentum for greenway projects begins to wane, smaller neighborhood level community development organizations begin to plan their own communities. Planning and implementation are made possible through matching grants from the Southeast Michigan Greenways Initiative, spearheaded by the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. 2001 Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan launches its Greenway’s Initiative to build a regional network of greenway trails. Over $33million is awarded and $125 million is leveraged to build over 100 miles of greenways in Southeast Michigan, including Detroit. The Ambassador bridge closes bicycle and pedestrian access in 2001. 2002 City of Detroit creates a riverfront vision Abandoned Rail Corridor and Inventory Assessment is published by Rails-to-Trails for the Greenways Initiative. This proves to be the future foundation for successful greenway projects throughout the city.xxi The development of the Inner Circle Greenway, known as the Joe Louis Greenway, is a result of this report. 2003 The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is established. 2006 Detroit hosts Super Bowl XL, significant efforts towards beautification are implemented throughout the city, including investment in the Conner Creek Greenway near Detroit City Airport. Detroit develops a non-motorized planxxii. The

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