bike

Bike The Drive

Photograph by Velo Steveon Flickr.

Bike The Drive is a recreational, non-competitive bicycle ride held each year in Chicago, in which Lake Shore Drive is Bike The Drive cleared of motor vehicle traffic and opened exclusively to bicyclists for several hours beginning at dawn. In 2006, an estimated bike 20,000 riders participated in the event. The route extends nearly the Bike The Drive entire length of the famous roadway, from 57th Street on the South Side to Bryn Mawr Avenue on the North Side.

The event benefits Bike SF 2010 bicycling advocacy work in the region by the Active Transportation Alliance, formerly known as the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. A festival in Grant Park usually Bike The Drive follows the event, and includes music, food, and cycling-related activities. Bike The Drive was launched by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation in 2002 to raise funds for programs to expand the Chicago area s bicycle transportation network, promote bicycling as a mode of transportation, improve bicycling conditions and traffic safety, and provide Bike The Drive bicyclists with a variety of resources and support. The event is organized in coordination with the City of Chicago, whose Mayor, Richard M.

Rest areas with refreshments and repair services are located at the north and south ends of the route, as well as the starting point. In addition, Bike The Drive volunteers riding with the participants and stationed along the route offer assistance to riders.

The maximum route length is 30 miles, with riders beginning at Grant Park, going to the South and North extremes, and then returning to the starting point. Daley, is a supporter of cycling. .

For the past several years, Bike The Drive has been held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.