Celebrate snow-free protected bike lanes

Good news for Chicago’s swiftly expanding population of year-round cyclists: The city now has a dedicated snow plow for protected bike lanes!

The snow plow is the result of a grant from the company that makes Advil pain reliever.

Come join a ribbon-cutting for the new snow plow at the corner of Damen Avenue and Jackson Boulevard at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7.

The event will feature a bike giveaway and a special appearance by Chicago Bears legend Richard Dent. At the event, Advil will be giving away a number of  Gotham1 folding bikes, built by Citizen Bike (retail value $289).

If attending, please RSVP via email to joanne.tam@ketchum.com.

There's no doubt that Chicago’s rapidly expanding network of protected bike lanes will transform cycling in the city, ensuring that cyclists of all ages feel safe and comfortable riding city streets.

When the Kinzie Street protected lane was unveiled over the past summer, ridership on the street increased by 60 percent.

Soon, cyclists will be using three more protected bike lanes: 18th Street between Canal and Clark Streets, Jackson Boulevard between Western and Halsted Avenues, and Elston Avenue between Milwaukee and North Avenues.

If you want to help ensure that protected bike lanes and other types of innovative cycling infrastructure proliferate throughout Chicago, get involved in the Streets for Cycling Plan. The first meeting will be held this Saturday.

Also, be sure to join Active Trans' Neighborhood Bikeways campaign.