Congrats to our friends + bailout for bikers

Congrats to our two (other) favorite Metro Detroit bike shops, Continental and The Hub, for being named 2008's best by Metro Times staff and readers, respectively. Kudos! Wheelhouse was mentioned as part of "Detroit's Best Step Forward" category, which the RiverWalk won.

Once a terribly neglected resource, Detroit's riverfront has been transformed into a true gem — we'd say a sapphire, given the sparkling blue waters now easily accessible because of the lovely promenade constructed in recent years under the guidance of the nonprofit Detroit RiverFront Conservancy. When completed, the walkway will stretch from the Ambassador Bridge to Gabriel Richard Park (just past the MacArthur Bridge leading to Belle Isle). The first phase has focused on the 3.5-mile section that starts at Joe Louis Arena and continues east; nearly 3 miles of that portion are complete. New features added this year at the Rivard Pavilion — site of the Cullen Family Carousel — include the Wheelhouse Detroit, which provides bike rentals and tours, and RiverWalk Café. If you haven't walked the riverfront lately, now's the time to check it out. You won't be sorry.

Cool! Read more of the MT's Community Chest picks here and The Glories of Capitalism here.

Buried in the fine print of the economic bailout package is good news for bike commuters: a tax credit for commuting to and from work. It's not a lot, up to $20 per month, but maybe it's a start. From treehugger:

It allows for a "qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement" for "reasonable expenses incurred by the employee during such calendar year for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment"- your bike expenses, up to 20 bucks a month, can be covered by your boss as a benefit tax free.

Read more here.