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A few good reasons to see ArtPrize by bicycle
- Free parking wherever and whenever you want.
- Three square miles: too far to walk, too short to drive.
- No waiting for shuttle buses.
- You can stop and see each venue or installation. If there's a crowd, skip ahead and come back.
- Refillable water bottle!
- Coast down the hills!
- If you find yourself in a traffic jam, just take a different street.
- With all the extra visitors and drivers out and about, traffic is moving slowly, and everyone is being more aware of pedestrians and bicyclists. It's a great time to saddle up and ride!
And some helpful hints
- Wear brightly-colored clothing and a helmet.
- If you'll be out after dark, bring lights for your bike (time-honored tip: A standard flashlight and a rubber band to attach to your handlebars). Also see hint #1.
- Put a carrying device on your ride. Bike shops have a good selection of handlebar baskets, saddlebags and racks that fit over the rear wheel. Or wear a small backpack. Or loop a reusable grocery bag over the seat (make sure it clears the wheel). You'll need something to hold all the "vote for me" cards.
- Bring a lock for those multi-artist indoor venues.
- Follow traffic rules, and obey the signals. Stopping for a red light is a small price to pay for this amount of freedom.
- You do want to check out the interesting art in the Heritage Hill area, and there's a reason it's called a "hill." The most gradual slope east of Division is up brick-paved State Street.
- A couple of binder clips will hold your ArtPrize route map on your brake cables.
- City ordinance: no riding on the sidewalks downtown. A moment's reflection will make the reasoning behind this very clear.
- Pick up a copy of the Bike GR map, published by the city, and available at local bike shops, libraries and City Hall. It shows streets that are recommended (or not) for bicycling and many more helpful safety tips beyond this overview.
I'm a city planner by training, and a Grand Rapids resident by choice. Moved here in mid-2004 when my Detroit-based contract gig ended, and I recently declined a corporate "offer" to return to Southfield. In addition to my recent work in the wireless industry (obtaining approvals for new cell tower sites), I've: --edited two bicycle-related magazines, and done free-lance writing for several publications --done computer tech support, created remarkable documents on various software packages, and taught adult ed classes (Windows applications 101) --called traditional contra & square dances (since 1990), and organized special presentations & events --made great strides towards rehab of an 1890s-era house in the Midtown area --volunteered for as many good causes and projects that will fit my schedule and personal values You can often find me downtown with one of my large brass instruments. Please say hello!
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Comments
And thank you for citing the GR ordinance re: bikes on sidewalks. This is a pet peeve of mine - when I tell people they don't believe me. As a biker myself I know that you are often safer in the road on than on the sidewalk. I almost hit someone pulling out of Fulton St Market as they were racing down the sidewalk. Not to mention getting hit as a pedestrian stinks.
Amy
Amy, I've been an Effective Cycling instructor since 1980. The sidewalk riders make me cringe. Most newbies believe that the biggest danger is getting hit from behind, when in fact it's at intersections (e.g. where the sidewalk crosses a driveway).
Thanks for your comments, see ya DT!
Additionally, when motorists see bicyclists on the streets AND sidewalks it only leads to further confusion about where bicyclists have the right to be. Same roads, same rules, same responsibilities. Bikes belong in the streets, not on sidewalks. I wish more people were familiar with the law and the city's ordinance.