(05/15/17) - The month of May is known as National Bike Month, and with that, the crew from Social Cycling Flint is renewing its push to transition the Vehicle City into a city that cycles.

"Our goal is to make Flint a more bike-friendly city. You look at all the studies and all the things out there. It's better for you, it's better for businesses," said Danny Moilanen, the founder of Social Cycling Flint.

This is also National Ride your Bike to Work week, and Jon Mason, co-owner of the Recycle Bike Shop & Mobile Bike Repair, is on board.

"Oh, yeah. Just loving life. It's a great way to start your day and a great way to stay in shape," he said.

Mason views peddle power as a cost-effective way to conduct business downtown.

"If you have a vehicle, you have insurance, you have tabs and plates, all these costs. With a bicycle, you have one cost and that's a bicycle, and it's better for you. You don't have to put gas in a bike," Mason said.

This week also marks opening day for the Recycle Bike Shop and Mobile Bike Repair company.

"We have a mobile bike shop, so we roll up to the Farmers' Market and we have bikes for sale, we can repair your bikes, we stock parts. We're there Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 until 4," Mason said.

The Recycle Bike Shop provides support and repairs for Social Cycling Flint members. The group has its first evening ride of the season on Thursday. Last summer saw more than 100 people participate on a weekly basis.

"This being our fifth year, the whole flat lot fills up with bikes, all lit up with LED lights, they just look really cool. We ride as one big group throughout the entire city and different neighborhoods," Moilanen said.

The hope is that these cycling initiatives will help build a sense of community.

"It's a chance for you to talk people, meet people and make those connections, and I think that's something that Flint always needs more of," Moilanen said.

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