[QUOTE=Detroitnerd;

Now, to people who want walkability and bikability, as well as density, even I have to admit that Rochester is totally desirable -- for about 10 square blocks. After that it is a fairly standard upscale suburban environment of curvilinear streets, large homes, cul de sacs and big box stores.

Oh, yeah. Try biking there. [/QUOTE]

Hmmm… Not bikeable??…only 10 blocks?? Not hardly.

Paint Creek Trail starts in downtown Rochester and goes 9 miles NNW to Oxford. This connects to the Polly Ann Trail and takes you north to Oxford, Dryden and Imlay City– I can’t count the miles.
http://www.paintcreektrail.org/
http://www.pollyanntrailway.org/inde...d=52&Itemid=56

Clinton River Trail passes through downtown Rochester. Cycle 2 miles E of downtown and you connect to the Macomb Orchard Trail. Cycle 14 miles W and you connect up to the West Bloomfield Trail in Keego Harbor.
http://www.clintonrivertrail.org/PDF...LowRes%201.pdf

Macomb Orchard Trail starts in downtown Rochester and goes 10 miles NNE to Romeo, then another 7 miles to Armada and then another 6 miles to Richmond – total of 23 miles, one way.
http://www.orchardtrail.org/images/M...%202009-w2.pdf

One could say downtown Rochester is the centerpoint for all three bike trails.