UnsafeAlpine

I live in the Detroit 'burbs and have no car. I just moved here and I'm trying to figure out where the hell to ride. I moved from Land o' Bikes where we have bike lanes on almost every road, slow traffic speeds, and bikes everywhere and I'm now confronted with no bike lanes, high traffic speeds, bikes rarely seen, and to top it off, these bike path things that are nothing more than extra wide sidewalks.

A recent study done in my hometown found that most accidents happened to wrong way riders and many on sidewalks. It appears to me that the area I'm in is trying to force me into the most dangerous situation possible. I'd like to ride the streets but with high speed traffic and, from what I've seen, most bike traffic on the paths, I'm worried that motorists will be unlikely to notice me on the streets.

Where do people ride? Do I stick to these bike path things or should I move into the streets?

fishtoes2000

Which suburb?

UnsafeAlpine

Rochester Hills. I haven't gotten out too much so I'm not quite sure what the other ones are like yet so I guess I shouldn't generalize.

fishtoes2000

I typically break Metro Detroit into four zones for bike friendliness: city of Detroit, inner ring suburbs (e.g. Ferndale, Dearborn), suburbs, rural. I put Rochester Hills in the suburbs zone and it's easily one of the worst places to ride a bike except for the Clinton River Trail. I avoid riding in Rochester Hills. And I'm sorry to say, but I think living car-free there will be an immense challenge.

The inner ring suburbs are generally better because they have street grids which don't force you to use main arterials. The city of Detroit is the most bike friendly due to the overbuilt roads, low speeds, and low traffic volume. There are a good number of Detroit neighborhoods where living carefree is not too difficult.

UnsafeAlpine

Yeah, I'm stuck here and without a car, so I just have to make do with what I have.

fishtoes2000

The silver lining is this is an opportunity to change your community. The city of Troy is near the end of a planning process that should add miles of bike lanes and transform that community. Certainly the same could happen in Rochester Hills. The problem is Rochester Hills has ignored best practices and guidelines while building wide sidewalks/sidepaths for bicyclists. They're not safe. To do the right thing means they'd be losing face and acknowledging their mistakes.

Copper1122

You are going to be so disappointed. This is quite easily one of the worst places to actually enjoy cycling. For the most part, Vehicle drivers in the metro area are not used to seeing cyclist, especially in the street where they think they have the sole rights to be anywhere in. While I see fishtoes point that lacking a grid system of streets to prive alt routes, Rochester Hills can be tough and a little bit daunting to cycle through. However, there is a major advantage in the fact that they are much more used to seeing cyclist on the roads than in other communities. There are tons of cyclist and cycling groups in that area and although the speeds are higher, once you get use to asserting yourself safely in your part of the lane, its not too bad. You'll still get the occassional honks and angry yells out the window, but who cares, F'em.
However, I strongly disagree with the city of Detroit being "bike friendly". Detroit is probably one of the worst cities in this great Union to cycle in. Not only do you have to worry about the deplorable road conditions destroying your bike (I wouldnt even think of riding ANY carbon fiber on ANY part), you also have to worry about getting robbed, shot, stabbed, run over, etc... It is listed in several international sources as "... a third world city inside of the U.S." and the truth couldnt be any better. You also have to contend with some of the worst drivers just dealing with Vehicular traffic, let alone cyclist. In both my personal and proffesional opinion I would always steer clear of commuting by bike in the city of Detroit.
Good luck to you and stay warm

no motor?

MechanicalRon is carless in Detroit, he'd be another person to ask.

Gromit

I strongly agree that Detroit is an excellent place to cycle. I live in Grosse Pointe and ride every weekend downtown. Fishtoes is absolutely correct. Wide roads, low traffic volume, and generally very friendly people make for an excellent ride. Belle Isle is also absolutely fantastic in the morning. I will admit, though, that you've got to watch the cross traffic when your light turns green - you'll occasionally get a car or three that'll blow the light.

The roads are in decent enough shape - you're not going to get much better anywhere in Michigan. Although, having said that, I did snap some carbon bars when I hit a pothole on Belle Isle - that has since been filled.

The burbs - like the entire Macomb county and where you are in Rochester Hills or Troy are GOD AWEFUL. I never feel safe in Macomb County - narrow roads, high speeds, and, let's face, it just plain ignorant rednecks driving pickup trucks make it just a miserable experience. Rochester Hills gives you a higher class of a$$hole. Instead of getting buzzed by Dodge Rams, you get buzzed by Lexus SUVs.

I can't help much as far as offering suggestions for the road, but you are definitely closer to some decent offroad cycling than I am in GP. I'm just chiming in since I hate it when people dis the City for riding.

Good luck.

DesnaePhoto

I visited a buddy in Troy and rode all over the place. The traffic is not nearly as bad as in Los Angeles. Ride how you normally ride -- street, path, sidewalk. I ride the street. When they don't share the road, I take the entire lane. (Flamesuit on)

Simply HAD to listen to "Detroit Rock City" btw.