Search Results

The Great Lakes Tourism Experience Initiative is actively positioning Detroit as the epicenter of the longest interconnected trail network across Canada and the United States. Here's what you should know about our region's great investment in Detroit's outdoor economy. Detroit is no stranger to vast trail networks. The Detroit Riverwalk provides immediate access to the Iron Belle Trail, a hiking and biking trail network which, once completed, will stretch more than 2,000 miles from Belle Isle Park to Ironwood in the western tip of the Upper Peninsula. The forthcoming Great Lakes Way will also connect over 160 miles of greenways and 156 miles of blueways running parallel to the southeastern coast of Michigan. Oh, and don't forget that the Iron Belle Trail connects directly to the North Country National Scenic Trail - a vast footpath stretching over 4,800 miles maintained by the National Park Service that guides thru hikers from Vermont to North Dakota. Dare I say that the Canadian side of the Detroit River is even more connected. The Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail network in the world that ranges over 15,000 miles, extends directly to Windsor’s Riverfront Trail and greater trail network. The Trans Canada Trail also connects with Ontario’s Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, an impressive regional trail network spanning over 2,237 miles around the Great Lakes region, just east of Ontario’s new Ojibway Prairie National Urban Park. Our region is undoubtedly spoiled with expansive trail networks, but one logistical impediment that bifurcates these two areas is an international border crossing. Fortunately for all of us, on September 9th, meaningful action was taken by several key American and Canadian organizations to diminish this variable. A Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) was jointly signed by representatives from the Trans Canada Trail, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to collaborate in promoting the Detroit region as a preeminent “binational Great Lakes tourism destination opportunity” by 2024. The MOU stated that, coinciding with the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, efforts will be made to enhance cross-border trail tourism experiences through the promotion and maintenance of the greenways and waterways found within Detroit, Windsor, and other border cities along the Detroit River. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will include a 12-foot wide, two-way path for bikers and hikers, insulated from vehicular traffic by concrete barriers. Trail users will be subject to the same cross-border travel requirements as vehicular travelers (i.e., will need a passport, NEXUS card or other acceptable form of identification), although separate customs booths will process cyclists and pedestrians. But wait, there’s more. In addition to connecting all of these great trail networks, the partner organizations also agreed to further expand these trails for more engaging and enriching international outdoor experiences. The partners agreed to collaborate on marketing strategies, economic development through eco-tourism, conservation, encouraging healthy living, and even using cutting-edge technology to enhance trail experiences (such as a “digital trail mirroring a physical trail” across the bridge). The Binational Great Lakes Tourism Experience initiative (the “Initiative”) just launched a website that provides additional information on each of the partner organizations and an interactive map of the interconnected trail network. If you can’t tell, we at Expedition Detroit are beyond excited for the industry-redefining Initiative. Our core belief is that Detroit is a world-class outdoor destination worth exploring, celebrating, and protecting. Beyond confirming that we are not the only venture holding that belief, the Initiative demonstrates that binational partnerships are actively investing in and effectuating that mission. While we’re chomping at the bit to see the grand opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the realization of the Initiative, the next two years present a once in a lifetime opportunity to partner with and expand upon the Initiative’s actions and mission. A quick glance at the Initiative’s map shows that Detroit is strategically placed at the epicenter of these premiere trail networks. In between the colored trail lines, however, there are a lifetime’s worth of world-class outdoor opportunities to explore. Expedition Detroit is passionate about providing the color to the gray areas surrounding both sides of the Detroit River. We will proactively continue to develop outdoor accessibility resources, provide exposure to new adventures, and promote conservation of our natural resources. We hope that you will join us on this exciting venture, and we can’t wait to see you out there.

Senate Bill 1191 threatens mountain bike access to Michigan's vast trail network. Here's a breakdown of what's at risk and what we can do to fight back. Expedition Detroit strives to achieve much more than becoming your go-to source for the Detroit region’s best outdoor experiences, trail routes, gear providers, or events. We are passionate about every aspect of our beautiful natural environment - the places we explore, the means by which we experience the outdoors, and creating opportunities for marginalized communities to engage with the wild. We will always advocate for the expansion, inclusion, and protection of outdoor recreation opportunities. Which brings us to this article. A call to arms for resisting a legislative assault on Michigan’s “Right to Bike.” On September 28th, Michigan State Senator Jim Runestad (R) introduced Senate Bill 1191 - the embodiment of the latest and most blatant attack on Michigan’s mountain biking community. This proposed bill represents the latest front of a long struggle between Michigan’s equestrian and other recreational communities, although tensions have flared the brightest between the equestrian and mountain biking communities. Unfortunately, this bill escalates what had been considered a resolved issue. Back in 2010, a number of recreational advocacy groups - including the Backcountry Horsemen of America and the Michigan Mountain Biking Association - worked together in drafting and passing the “Right to Ride Act” of 2010 that served the interests of all stakeholders involved. In summary, the Right to Ride Act established that horseback riders were allowed to ride on designated trails in state parks and recreation areas. The legislation represented a reasonable resolution for all parties: access to trails in a fair, equitable, and sustainable manner in light of the science, sustainability, and volunteer contributions of each interested recreational group. Fast forward twelve years and we’re back in the trenches. Now don’t get me wrong, Expedition Detroit is not anti-equestrian. In fact, a future iteration of this platform may prominently feature horseback riding as an avenue for world-class outdoor experiences and conservation in the Detroit region. I’m personally a fan of the trail and facility maintenance that the equestrian community has provided at beloved destinations like Maybury State Park, Proud Lake Recreation Area, and Kensington Metropark. But this bill…this just ain’t it. To be fair, the majority of the proposed amendments to the Right to Ride Act are intended to lessen the current restrictions placed on equestrian trail access. Reasonable minds may differ on those revisions, and we at Expedition Detroit do not have the firsthand experience to comment on whether such amendments are warranted. We’ll let the legal team at the DNR weigh in there. On the other hand, we’re vehemently opposed to two additional, damning sections that Sen. Runestad has proposed on the final page of his bill. Sections 72115(4) and 72115(5) - without precedent or rationale - prohibit bicycling on any trail that does not explicitly permit bicycling. In other words, the current legal presumption that you may bike a trail unless stated otherwise gets flipped so that you may not bike a trail unless clearly permitted. Additionally, the proposed bill provides the Equine Trails Subcommittee of the DNR, in their sole discretion and without recourse, to prohibit bicycling on any trail where bicycling is currently and expressly authorized. Oh, and don’t forget that fun little aspect of new legislation which authorizes the prosecution of bikers for riding on these now-restricted trails. There are obviously several glaring issues with this bill, but the most obnoxious and discriminatory aspect of the bill is that it solely and purposefully targets only bikers. Sen. Runestad’s bill not only restricts access to a sport that proved so vital in the mental health fight spurred on by the pandemic, but lawfully punishes one of Michigan’s most active trail construction and preservation communities. Better yet, this bill is entirely unnecessary - mountain bikers are already prohibited from riding on marked equestrian-only trails, and trailhead signs clearly instruct bikers and hikers to yield to horseback riders. In conclusion, this bill sucks. No other way to put it. Fortunately, our representatives work for us - even though they sometimes need to be reminded of that fact. Especially if you live in Sen. Runestad’s district, we humbly ask that you join us in writing to him to demand the omission of Sections 72115(4) and 72115(5) from his draft bill. It’s no secret that a key election is coming up next month, so the ears of our elected officials are keenly aware of the voices and preferences of their constituents. Our friends at the Motor City Mountain Biking Association have prepared the following draft communication that you can send to your Michigan State Senator: Dear Senator _________________: I, ____________________, am an avid mountain biker, and I am calling (or writing) to voice my concern over the proposed amendment to the Right To Ride legislation that is being considered by certain Legislators and state Senators. The proposed amendment grants too much influence to a special interest group (the equestrians) at the expense of other trail users. This legislation weakens the DNR’s ability to exercise responsible stewardship over state trails. The proposed amendment would shut access to biking on existing multi-use trails and possibly deny future access. In whole the amendment would provide a mechanism for a particular user group (the equestrians) through the Equine Trails Subcommittee (ETS) to deny access on Michigan trails to other groups such as mountain biking. The amendment is written so vaguely that it can be applied to popular local DNR trails throughout Michigan. Please do not consider this proposed amendment: The DNR can manage trail access without the help of the ETS, and bicyclists should not be unilaterally denied access to Michigan’s grand non-motorized trails at the whim of one user group. Thank You, _______________________ Please join us in our opposition to this poorly-conceived piece of legislation. The great outdoors is not and should not be a zero-sum game - a situation where one group’s benefit must come at another’s expense. Nature is best experienced responsibly, equitably, and sustainably. Senate Bill 1191 represents a mockery of that belief, so we simply will not tolerate it. We hope that you’ll stand with us as we fight for the protection of our Right to Bike.