December 2024: It's Miller Time!
Saddle up! Ann Arbor's City Council has approved a protected, two-way bikeway along Miller Avenue, and tickets for Bike Summit 2025 (free) and the Bicycle Film Festival ($20) are available now!
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 December 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. And now we’re on Bluesky!
Top stories this month:
On November 18, the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously approved an $8.6 million rehabilitation plan for Miller Avenue that includes a protected, two-way bikeway from Maple Road to First Street! The 1.7-mile path, the first to extend beyond downtown and connect the city’s west side with the downtown bikeway loop, should be completed by this time next year.
On the Wheelie Good podcast, learn how Maxine Bratus discovered bike fitting and still loves it after 19 years.
Episode 3: J. Maxine Bratus on the art and science of bike fitting
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It’s easy to understand why cyclists of every skill level—from weekend jaunters to professional triathletes—wait at least three months to be bike-fit by Maxine Bratus. She still loves the process after 19 years because cycling makes her feel like a badass, and that badassery grows when you’re at your most stable in the saddle.
Tickets for the 2025 Bike Summit are free, but they’re limited and already starting to go quickly! Click here to reserve your spot for the 10th annual event, which we’ll host on Sunday, February 2, from 11am to 4pm.
We’ve also launched tickets for the 2025 Bicycle Film Festival, to be held at the Michigan Theater on Saturday, March 1! To join us for one of our most exciting nights of the year, click here and enter the promotion code BIKESROCK25. Event proceeds will help power the Bicycle Alliance throughout the year!
And here’s a reminder about the Borrow A Cargo Bike A2 program, which lets you check out a cargo bike for up to seven days! We’ll even give you a bit of training and advice to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
Happening This Month
Tue 12/3
Giving Tuesday offers cycling fans numerous opportunities to support the work for safer, more bike-friendly streets across Michigan. The League of Michigan Bicyclists, for example, is highlighting its Light Love and Granting programs, in keeping with its efforts that include the Vulnerable Roadway User Bill, e-bike incentives, and partnerships with MDOT on key policy changes that prioritize safer travel for everyone.
Wed 12/4 | 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!
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! Specifically, we need help with our two flagship events: the Summit and the Film Fest. Did we mention that all volunteers get free tickets to the Film Fest?
Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society Holiday Party (waitlist)
Tue 12/10 | 6 - 10pm
The 2024 AABTS holiday party will be at Zingerman’s Greyline; admission is $20 for members and $45 for non-members, which includes the dinner buffet and an open bar with a selection of Michigan-brewed beers and house wines. (This event is capped at 100 people and currently sold out, but there is a waitlist available.)
Common Cycle Steering Committee Meeting
Sun 12/15 | 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.
League of Michigan Bicyclists Print Calendar Deadline
Fri 12/20
If you have a cycling event to promote in 2025, list it on LMB’s Ride Calendar for widespread exposure across the state and beyond. Simply register to get started and list your event for free! (Dec. 20 is the deadline to be included in the print edition.)
Wed 1/1 | 12pm
Everyone is welcome to join for the Flying Rhino Cycle Club’s annual Polar Rhino Ride in Clarkston to kick off the new year, and you can enter your best chili or soup recipe for a chance to win a gift card from Kinetic Systems Bicycles. Details will follow closer to the event with an email blast out to club members.
Wed 1/1 | 2pm
Meet up for the 53-year tradition that celebrates your first 12 miles of the New Year! You’ll ride on open road that is shared with motor vehicles, and children are welcome with an accompanying adult. Your $12 donation will support public bike repair stations throughout the city, as well as future educational programming. Many options to volunteer are also available!
On the Regular
Repairs and Volunteer Opportunities
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 happy holidays and a beautiful, chilly month on the streets, paths, trails, and jumps all over Washtenaw County!
The Bicycle Alliance of Washtenaw
I am trying to buy 2 tickets to the Bicycle Film Festival but the site is not working. The Select No of Tickets button is not active. Frustrating.