i grew up in Grand Rapids and agree. it's not bike friendly - and the bus system sucks.
too many big super arterial streets, and the parrallel streets (like near 28th or 44th) don't seem to run continuously behind them (i've tried to drive them)
if he's going to college near kentwood, that's a mess of enormous streets and shopping malls.
add to that GR has a reputation of fearing change or anything "different". cyclists being part of that.
(easttown is a great neighborhood though - if i ever moved back i'd find a nice a nice old house to fix up)