Getting to Know the Bike Lanes of Detroit

Where they are, what they're like, and what they mean for the city.

1 minute read

July 5, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


WDET explored how to get around on a bike in Detroit—as well as the "bigger story" told by the proliferation of bike lanes in the city, from zero to nearly 200 miles over the last 10 years.

In the segment, Sandra Svoboda speaks to community stakeholders for perspective on what it took to get the city to view bike lanes as an "asset." She and Stephen Henderson also consider the history of urban planning in Detroit, and the opportunities for economic development afforded by this new approach.

The story notes that about a quarter of Detroit households do not have access to a car, so infrastructure to support alternative modes of transportation could be crucial to living there.

Monday, June 20, 2016 in WDET

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

: Construction of massive Samsung semiconductor fabrication plant

In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland

Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.

November 3 - Inside Climate News

A construction crew working on SunZia.

How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on

The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.

November 3 - Grist

A rendering of the basketball court, a green court under a blue sky.

MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court

The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.

November 3 - Gothamist