Bicyclists generally must follow the same laws as motorized vehicles when riding on the street. Bicyclists must ride with the direction of traffic, come to complete stops at all stop signs and red lights, and use a white headlight and red rear reflector half an hour before sunrise and after sunset. Ann Arbor’s Safe Passing Ordinance requires that drivers, when passing a bicyclist, pedestrian or wheelchair user on the roadway, maintain a distance of at least 5 feet. Details about Michigan biking laws can be found here.
Ann Arbor was named a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists in 2021, and a Silver-Level Bicycle Friendly City in 3 different years. Ann Arbor has 90.2 miles of on-street bike lanes, 35.3 miles of shared-use paths, 8.7 miles of marked shared lanes, 4.8 miles of protected bike lanes, and 11.4 miles of buffered bike lanes. For maps of city and county bike routes, see a2gov.org/
The City of Ann Arbor has authorized Spin to operate electric scooters and e-bikes within the city. Rules for where to ride e-bikes can be found at michigan.gov/
TheRide fixed-route buses have exterior bike racks that accommodate 2 bikes at no extra charge. There are more than 1,000 bike parking spaces downtown, including bike lockers and seasonal on-street bike racks. Commuters with valid go!passes through their employers are eligible to rent space in secured bike houses at the Maynard and Ann/Ashley parking structures for $75/year. Run by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority; for more information, call (734) 994-6697 or email parking@a2dda.org.
Common Cycle, 416 W. Huron, #11, is a community-based organization empowering Ann Arbor to ride bicycles by providing access to education, tools, and other resources. Volunteer mechanics teach and assist with repairs, from fixing a flat to overhauling a headset. Programs include public hours, maintenance courses, a femme/trans/women program, and supporting underserved communities through bike distribution. See website for hours and volunteer opportunities: info@commoncycle.org, commoncycle.org
