Biking guide for Detroit's city streets, suburban trails and scenic islands
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Cyclists on their way to Belle Isle. Photos: Joe Guillen/Axios
Biking around Metro Detroit is a great way to explore, get exercise and enjoy nature.
The big picture: Detroit and surrounding communities are building out the area's bike infrastructure by investing in the Joe Louis Greenway, suburban bike lanes and trail improvements.
Here are three recommended rides in Metro Detroit:
🏛️ New Center to Belle Isle
Why we love it: The scenery is wonderfully varied along the way. New Center's historic skyscrapers transition to industrial views on the city's back streets before you meet the natural beauty of Belle Isle and the riverfront.
- This out-and-back route is about 20 miles, depending on how many laps around Belle Isle you take.
Where to stop: The Dequindre Cut Freight Yard, Eastern Market or Supino on Woodward for a slice of pizza when you finish.
Pro tip: Veer off the route to explore riverfront parks and the new Uniroyal Promenade connection to Belle Isle.
🛤️ Clinton River Trail
Why we love it: This 16-mile trail on an abandoned rail line stretches through five communities from Rochester to Sylvan Lake.
- It's scenic and has plenty of parking, restrooms and water fountains.
Where to stop: Downtown Rochester, the Adams Road mastodon site.
Pro tip: The trail connects to others for much longer rides, like the West Bloomfield Trail, the Paint Creek Trail and the extended Great Lake to Lake Trails.
🇨🇦 Southwest to Grosse Ile
Why we love it: This longer route starting near Midtown is courtesy of City Council member (and avid cyclist) Scott Benson. Benson says he enjoys traversing the Jefferson commercial corridor and taking in the views of Canada from Grosse Ile.
- The Downriver bike lanes along the way have been improved in recent years, he says.
- The trip to Grosse Ile and back is about 50 miles.
Where to stop: Clark Park and all the eateries in Southwest Detroit, Historic Fort Wayne and Grosse Ile Bakery.
Pro tip: Benson checks the wind direction so he rides into the wind on the way out.
- "We let the wind push us back home," he says.