Unique photostory on a big, neglected world of bikes...

[JeffOYB]

I just put up a bunch of pics of the bikes of Mackinaw Island, Michigan, featuring the astonishing dock porter bikes and their astounding riders along with other "island bikes." This big world of bikes hasn't been covered before. Check it out! It's a lead story at my http://OutYourBackDoor.com website. --Jeff Potter

[Raiyn]

Thanks for sharing!

[Cyclon]

Interesting read. So a town that doesn't allow cars does exist in America.

[wahoonc]

Thanks Jeff...good article. Just goes to show you CAN have a town without cars and plenty of bikes:D

Aaron:)

[JeffOYB]

Thanks, folks!

Please note that a big part of this photo effort of mine was to document the Dock Porter Bike and the Island Bike. I'm giving them their first scholarship props, and a little payback for the inspiration they've given me.

There are no other bikes like these in bike scenes that I've ever heard of and there aren't other pics that are googleable.

The idea that regular blokes can bike a 250-to-500-pound load on front-loaded bikes is totally boggling to me. The dock porter bike lets you do this mission.

Front baskets are becoming popular these days. They've been huge on the Island for decades already in the form of the Island Bike. Little tricks like the plywood basket base with outdoor-carpet plus several bungies can be helpful for anyone who really uses their front basket bike. As you need to haul a bigger load yet, add handlebar extensions as in the pics. To really go big, reinforce the bars with rebar and a crossbar. ...Etc. Enjoy! :)

I also remember the weird feeling of visiting the mainland after working on the Island a few months---the cars were REALLY shocking, intrusive, noisy, scary. It's a neat thing to NOT be around cars for a few months! In a way, it gives you almost as much culture shock as you can get in the Western world.

[Raiyn]

I'd be much more a trailer type than a front loader.

[Sianelle]

What a marvellous sight - a town with not one car in sight anywhere :)

Annie

[donnamb]

I went on lots of family vacations there as a kid. My parents would let us tear around the island on our own because of the lack of cars. It was wonderful. :D

[Buglady]

What a neat story. I really enjoyed seeing all the different styles of bikes and all the smiling people riding them!

[wahoonc]

Not to short sell the porters...those guys (and a few gals when I was last there) are awesome riders. But the distances they travel are fairly short with those loads. I am surprised that someone hasn't brought a bakfiets or long john up there yet:D But tradition may be coming into play too.

Aaron:)

[JeffOYB]

I've seen a couple bakfiets and longjohns up there over the years. Also the Schwinn newsboy bike with the small front wheel.

Yeah, they don't ride far or up any hills but 500 lbs for a half mile is enough for anyone. Hey, I forgot (and you forgot, too) that they make those half-mile trips DOZENS of times a day. They riding those huge loads ALL DAY LONG. So actually the mileage really does add up to be a large amount. These riders develop true champion fitness.