Why Flint?
Flint, Michigan has been famous in America for 100 years as the birthplace of the Dort-Durant Carriage Company which eventually grew into General Motors. Unfortunately since 2015 it became world-famous for experiencing a water crisis which involved the city’s residents being deceived by all levels of government. So now what? Flint residents are resilient and tenacious and innovative. We stay here, and keep working to make our community better, one day at a time. And for us, that includes exploring Flint on two wheels and sharing our love of this community, its neighborhoods, its residents and business owners, with others like you!
Why Take a Small Group Bike Tour?
Enjoy having your own personal guide to explore Flint on two wheels and see the real Flint for yourself. Our bike tours take no more than 10 people and are completely customizable based on your interests, timeline, and desire for breaks for photos or food/drink along the way. The tour routes are designed to showcase Flint’s assets and give you an idea of some of the intangible components of the local culture, while also offering honest answers to any tough questions you might have.
Do I need to wear a helmet?
We cannot require you but highly encourage you to wear a helmet throughout the ride.
Is Flint safe?
We all work in downtown Flint and and live in a neighborhood just east of downtown, and ride bikes around various neighborhoods everyday – it is very safe! The network of roads was built for 200,000+ residents, and given that we are under 100,000 residents, riding correctly with traffic on the far right of the lane is quite easy – but be smart. Wear a helmet and have lights on your bike for dusk / night riding. Use handsigns. Watch out for potholes. Bring a bikelock for when you stop in somewhere for food or drink.
Can I drink the water?
Please bring water to drink while you are enjoying a bike tour, and then at any restaurant or bar you stop at before or after, know that they either filter their water or will serve you bottled water. And if you see people with a pallet of bottled water, remember that it’s a serious problem, especially for young kids and elderly residents, and it’s not something to joke around about.
Can tour guides fix my bike?
That is not part of any tour. Please arrive with your bicycle ready to ride! Seat adjustments and pumping up your tires are easy to do, but anything other issues should be addressed with a local bike shop! There are quite a few good ones around Genesee County!
Where does the tour start and end?
All start/end at Queens’ Provisions in Carriage Town (421 Garland St, Flint MI 48503) except for “Ride the Red Line” which starts / stops at 2724 N. Saginaw Street – the city-owned parking lot on the north side of the Oak Business Center.
How often will we stop?
This varies based on which tour you choose and who is in the tour group – it can vary from having a 5 minute water breaks once an hour to stopping for a drink at a fun Flint bar after a few miles of riding.