15 Years Later, the Lansing Bike Party Rides On

It began as a protest 15 years ago. Dozens of bicyclists were united by their outrage over a student journalist’s column threatening to run over bike riders he might encounter while driving a car.

In response, bicyclists at the time gathered enmasse and rode throughout the streets of East Lansing and the Michigan State University campus.

Ever since the column ran in 2009, area bicyclists have continued to participate in a weekly Friday “Bike Party” ride. Their goal: to show solidarity and try to educate bike riders and car drivers about the need to work together to keep roads safe for everyone.

“It started off as a protest, but it’s evolved,” said event founder Tim Potter. “It’s not a protest ride anymore. We don’t want to do anything confrontational, but at the same time we want to tell [drivers] ‘We’re here, we belong.'”

That wasn’t the viewpoint of former Michigan State University student Zack Colman, who was an opinion writer for the campus newspaper, The State News, in 2009. In his column, Colman demanded that bicyclists ride their bikes on the sidewalk so that they would not be in the way of motor vehicles.

He wrote: “…if you’re a bicyclist on the road but not in a bike path and you see my car, I hope you’re wearing a helmet, because I might run you over.

“Maybe not intentionally.”

The column was concerning to Potter and other area cyclists because motor vehicles are a constant threat to the safety of bike riders.

This is not a threat that has gone away since the column was published. According to data from the state, from 2020 through 2022, 103 bicyclists were killed in Michigan, a 64% increase from the previous three years. 

Michigan data also shows there were 1,340 bicyclist-involved traffic crashes in 2022. 

Colman, who now writes for Politico, did not respond to several emails and phone calls seeking comment.

Area bikers have tried to turn the incident into a positive outcome, Potter said.

This year, Potter and the “Bike Party” group scheduled a 15th anniversary event for April 12, but canceled due to poor weather, Potter said. The bike ride will likely be rescheduled later this year.

Many of the Bike Party participants have also become members of the Tri-County Bicycle Association in Lansing, Potter said. The group meets regularly for rides throughout the city every week. Anyone is welcome to participate in the bike trips and there is no cost.

Prior to each trip, the group inspects each other’s bikes to make sure their rides have the correct tire pressure and are equipped with lights and reflectors, Potter said. They also review proper etiquette when riding on the road – that means no “popping wheelies” or other potentially dangerous maneuvers when riding in the street.

 Wearing bike helmets is encouraged, but since it’s not a law, the group doesn’t require people to wear them during trips, Potter said.

To learn more about the association and upcoming trips and events, visit the group’s Facebook page here.

Correction 5/1: This story was corrected to state that Bike Party events are weekly, not annual, and provide the correct link to the Bike Party Facebook group.