November 2024: Save the dates for Bike Summit and Bicycle Film Festival 2025!
November 2024: Save the dates for Bike Summit and Bicycle Film Festival 2025!
Saddle up! November might have fewer rides and less daylight, but there's still plenty of fun ahead as we break out the winter gear, advocate for safer rides, and plan our two biggest events of 2025!
Welcome back to Wheelie Good News, published by the Bicycle Alliance of Washtenaw! Below, you’ll find a list of bike-related events throughout the month of November in Washtenaw County. If we’ve missed something, you can email us at bikewashtenaw [at] gmail, or just leave the information (with a link, please) as a comment below. We’ll add them here and post them on Instagram and Facebook.
Top stories this month:
Our Borrow A Cargo Bike A2 program is going strong! Head here for details and try out a cargo bike for up to seven days. Training is available, and though the $25 rental fee helps defray admin costs, we can help you cover that. (Email us at the bikewashtenaw address above—no one will be turned away for lack of funds.)
The 2025 Bike Summit (our tenth!) will be held on Sunday, February 2, once again at Venue! Join area bicycle advocates and enthusiasts to make Washtenaw County a better place to bike. It’s free and open to the public. Stay tuned for more announcements about discussion topics, speakers, prizes, and much more!
The 2025 Bicycle Film Festival will be held Saturday, March 1, and this year we’re moving to the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor! The BFF is a celebration of the bicycle through music, art, and film that has been held in over 100 cities worldwide! Stay tuned for the presale opening on November 15 (see below).
Remember when we reported that bikeway usage went nuts in September? Well, that wasn’t a fluke: The counters clocked a new record of 42,532 riders in October! All the more proof that once you provide safe cycling infrastructure, cyclists will use it.
Happening This Month
Fri 11/1 | 5:30 pm
Meet up at Bearclaw Coffee in Ann Arbor and join the bubbly, five-mile ride to Aldi on Dexter Ave. Why? Because the city must uphold its A2ZERO commitment by road dieting and adding protected bike lanes on Stadium Boulevard. Why bubbles? Because they’re fun. No bubble machine? No worries! There’ll be plenty to go around.
Sat 11/2
Head up to Traverse City with 5,000 other riders for this 30-mile mountain bike race, and cap it off with the biggest party of the season! Supported by Bell’s Brewing, the ICC has spent the last three decades supporting active, healthy, and fun mountain biking in northern Michigan.
Bike Light Giveaway Family Ride
Sun 11/3 | 4pm
While the sun sets on Daylight Saving Time, we'll take a slow, family-paced ride of about six miles, mostly on the B2B trail, starting and ending at Human Electric Hybrids. We'll have cider and donuts before and after, and every participant receives free lights and reflective gear!
Tues 11/5 | 7am - 8pm
We don’t have to tell you it’s important to vote. But we’re doing it anyway! You can research your ballot here, then vote early (at many designated places all over the county) until November 3, or make a plan and cast your ballot on Tuesday! (You might even get one of those cool-as-hell werewolf stickers.)
Wed 11/6 | 5 - 7pm
The Neighborhood Institute meets on the first Wednesday of each month to advocate for affordable housing, walkable and bikeable streets, and improved public transit, so that everyone can live and meet their daily needs in the neighborhood of their choice. Meet at the Blue Tractor in Ann Arbor for half-price beer and apps until 6pm!
Fri 11/15
The BFF isn’t until March, but it’s a popular night out and tickets will go fast. The first tickets will be available two weeks from today. Email us, and we’ll send you the code!
Common Cycle Steering Committee Meeting
Sun 11/17 | 4 - 5:30pm
The Steering Committee meets monthly online on the third Sunday of the month, and all are welcome to discuss a variety of organization business. Please email us at “info at commoncycle dot org” for the Zoom link and meeting details.
Mon 11/18 | 4 - 7pm
The MDOT is holding its next public open house to discuss its new University Region Active Transportation Plan at the Chelsea District Library, and they want to hear from you! Come share your ideas and feedback on how MDOT can enhance biking, walking, and other active transportation options in our region.
Winter Bike Maintenance Pop-Up
Wed 11/19 | 12 - 3pm
Join Planet Blue Student Leaders for a winter bike repair pop-up on the University of Michigan Diag. No reservations or payments are needed, and it’s free and open to all students.
Handlebar Happy Hour & Walk Bike Washtenaw Annual Meeting
Wed 11/19 | 5:30 - 9pm
Join us for some Early Onset Holiday Cheer at Conor O'Neill's! Then stay for the WBW’s annual in-person meeting (an online link will also be available), and help make Washtenaw County a leader in safety for walkers and bikers and all other vulnerable road users. The whole nighi will be cozier than a plate of Shepherd's pie.
Bicycle Alliance of Washtenaw Meeting
Wed 12/4 | 7 - 8:30pm
For the holidays, we’re combining our November and December meetings for the last get-together of the year. Come to HOMES Brewery and meet your local bike enthusiasts, hear about our ongoing efforts, and get involved!
On the Regular
Repairs
Ypsi Bike Coop Repair Booth — Saturdays, 9am - 1pm.
Bring your bike to the Ypsilanti Farmers Market in Depot Town.
Common Cycle Community Workspace — Sundays, 11am - 3pm.
Volunteers at Common Cycle will help repair your bike.
Bike Park Work Days — Sundays, 12:30 - 2:30pm.
Volunteer for trail maintenance work at Tuebingen and Bandemer Bike Parks.
Rides
There are regular weekly rides every day of the week in Washtenaw County, for all surfaces, lengths, and skill levels. Check the ride calendars below for the complete list.
Thanks for reading, and feedback is always welcome. Here’s to a beautiful month on the streets, paths, trails, and jumps all over Washtenaw County.
The Bicycle Alliance of Washtenaw
