Royal Oak Man Coordinates Mass Bike Ride for Youth Programs

Biking is a clear path to a healthier Metro Detroit, according to Tom Anderson, coordinator of the Fourth Annual Motor City Bike Ride.

Anderson, who lives in Royal Oak, will act as a tour guide for mass bike rides departing from Campus Martius Park in Detroit at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 22.

Riders will have their choice of two different ride routes: a new 20-mile Fun Ride to Belle Isle Park and the 62-mile Metric Century Ride to Metro Beach Metropark. 

Funds raised through the Motor City Bike Ride will benefit Danialle Karmanos’ Work It Out youth wellness programming. 

Great bike community

Anderson is passionate about biking. On the weekends, you'll find him riding his bike to the Royal Oak Farmers Market, movies or to the Town Tavern.

"Royal Oak is a bike town," he said. "That's why I moved here."

And it's not just Royal Oak. There are tons of bike clubs in Michigan, Anderson said. 

"The whole area has turned into a great bike community," he said. "I checked online and there are over 250 bike rides scheduled for this summer."

Anderson coordinated Saturday's bike rides to highlight Metro Detroit and the riverfront.

If you are new to biking, he recommends the ride to Belle Isle Park.

"They just had the Grand Prix there and the park is looking fantastic," he said. "You can't go wrong."

If you go

• What: Motor City Bike Ride
• When: Rides depart at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 22. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m.
• Where: Campus Martius Park in Detroit. Free parking is available at Compuware’s Visitors Parking for riders, their friends and family.
• Cost: Advance registration at www.motorcitybikeride.com is $50; $75 day of. Each registered rider receives an official, custom-made Louis Garneau jersey.
• Other: Participants must be 18 years or older. Helmets are required.