FAQ: GENERAL

Biking in Detroit?
Heck yeah! Detroit is an excellent city for cycling. There's lots of room on the road, great neighborhoods to explore, and 140+ miles of bike lanes. Plus, it's relatively flat so you can cover lots of ground quickly.

People who haven't spent much time in the city lately will be pleasantly surprised as to how much is going on in the Greater Downtown area. Wheelhouse will be pleased to give you ideas of where to go and the best routes to get there. And if you're not ready for the road, the RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut are tons of fun to cruise.

Feeling adventurous, but not sure where to go? Visit our tours page for a schedule of upcoming tours or our Detroit Bike Rides page for information on local group rides.

Am I safe?
While you should use your discretion, we feel pretty confident that you’ll be just fine. Watch out for pot holes, follow the rules of the road, and use illumination at dusk and beyond. We provide helmets at no additional charge. We do recommend locking your bike up by the frame even when you are leaving it for just a minute.

Do you offer any discounts?

Yes...to local businesses, residences and institutions with which we have made arrangements. These currently include:

Contact us for more info on how we can partner with your group or workplace.

Do you sell gift certificates?

We certainly do, in any denomination! We can also create a gift certificate for a tour or a particular service, like a tune-up. Swing by the shop or fill out our online form and we can mail you a traditional gift card.

If you prefer to buy a gift certificate exclusively for bike rentals or tours, we have online certificates available HERE. By using our online gift certificate form, you are able to designate a giftee email address and even choose a custom delivery date. A unique code is sent that can be input into our reservation system at check out for any tour or rental at the giftee's convenience, rather than having to contact the shop to reserve with a traditional gift card or certificate.  

Do you offer repair classes?

We have in the past and may again, but not at the moment. Sorry.

Who is the Wheelhouse?

The Wheelhouse is a small business started in 2008 by two Detroiters who love their city and their bikes: Karen Gage and Kelli Kavanaugh. Read more about how the shop got its start here.

In 2015, Wheelhouse became solely owned by Kelli with able management from Tatiana.

What do your name and logo mean?

"That's in our wheelhouse" is a saying that Kelli and Karen like because they love baseball. Plus, wheels...bikes...yeah, you get it.

Our logo is actually a map of Detroit. The circle is Campus Martius and the spokes are the main radial streets: Fort, Michigan Ave., Grand River, Woodward, Gratiot, and Jefferson.

Our logo was inspired by our friend Colin Hubbell, who passed away in August 2008. Read more about him and the actual "logo story" in this Model D tribute.

Do you rent roller blades, skateboards, surreys, scooters, or segways?
Nope. Just bikes!

Where should I park?
There is a parking lot adjacent to our store off of Atwater Street. Sometimes, especially on beautiful weekend days, it fills up. If that's the case, there are several parking structures within walking distance and limited on-street parking in the Rivertown neighborhood. More info at GM Ren Cen Parking Guide.

For more specific questions about our services, visit our Tour, Rental, or Service FAQs.