Chicago Bike Week 2018, June 21-29

The Chicago Bike Week rally has been rescheduled for July 18 — see below. 

Looking for a great excuse to get your butt on a bicycle? The 27th annual Chicago Bike Week taking place June 21-29 provides the perfect opportunity.

The event is presented by Freeman Kevenides Law Firm and produced by the Active Transportation Alliance. We've got a great lineup of events for the week. 

June 15-29: Bike to Work Challenge

The most anticipated part of Chicago Bike Week is the two-week-long Bike to Work Challenge — when rivalries take hold among workplaces throughout Chicagoland as they vie for the top position in their category. This year’s challenge is presented by Keating Law Offices. Workplaces compete by earning points and getting the most employees riding to work during the week (a bike commute can mean a full or partial bike trip). Be sure to stop in at one of our pit stops during the challenge. 

June 27: Chicago's Mellowest Bike Tour

John Greenfield of StreetsBlog Chicago will celebrate the release of the Chicago Reader’s Mellow Chicago Bike Map with his “Chicago’s Mellowest Bike Tour,” meeting at the Picasso sculpture in Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington, at 5:45 p.m., departing at 6 p.m.. The roughly 12-mile, two-hour ride will showcase peaceful side street routes, trails and protected bike lanes in central Chicago neighborhoods. See a mural-lined route on a quiet Pilsen street, an under-the-radar river path in River North, a tranquil route to the lake in Old Town, and a low-stress stealth route from the Lakefront Trail to the Millennium Park bike station.

June 28: Lakefront Trail Celebration

Active Trans is proud of the great progress made on the Chicago Lakefront Trail. To celebrate, we’re hosting an event at Theater on the Lake on Thursday, June 28. Join us at 4 p.m. for appetizers and some suds from Revolution Brewing. Hear from advocates and city leaders about how the project is going and what’s needed to push it across the finish line. If you're joining us, be sure to register. 

June 15-29: Sign the petition asking for Chicago Bike Walk Fund 

Throughout Chicago Bike Week and the Bike to Work Challenge, we're asking everyone participating in the events to sign a petition asking Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago City Council to commit to spending a fair share of city transportation dollars on a new, dedicated Bike Walk Fund of $20 million annually. 

July 18: Chicago Bike Week Rally

While we knew we broke lots of hearts by cancelling the Chicago Bike Week Rally on June 21 due to rain, we are determined to make it up to you. How? By moving the rally to the next available date for Daley Plaza — and the rain won't stop us this time! On July 18, 5 -7 p.m., join hundreds of other bike commuters for the Bike Week Rally in Daley Plaza, presented by Freeman Kevenides Law Firm. Come hoist a glass of beer provided by Revolution Brewing, enjoy free giveaways from our sponsors as well as bike-themed entertainment and free Bike Week t-shirts for all. 

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More Chicago Bike Week events

Thanks to financial support from Google, this year Active Trans gave out a handful of Community Bike Week grants intended to bring Chicago Bike Week to more communities throughout Chicago. The series of events below are funded in part by our Community Bike Week grants. 

Albany Park 

Morning Commute Rally at Bikes N’ Roses 

Friday, June 22, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., 4747 N. Sawyer Ave.  

Enjoy breakfast snacks and refreshments and get a free reflective safety band. Bikes N’ Roses’ staff will provide basic bike maintenance and Chicago Bike Ambassadors will be on hand to share information on safe cycling. 

Open Shop Night at Bikes N’ Roses 

Saturday, June 23, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Adults 21 and older can bring in a bike and use the Bikes N' Roses  tools for bike maintenance practice. BYOB. 

Evening Commute Rally with Tailwind Cycles 

Thursday, June 28, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m., Tailwind Cycles, 3140 W. Montrose 

Attendees will receive reflective safety bands and can practice putting their own bikes on the front of a CTA bus rack. Bike to Work Challenge participants can enter a raffle to win bike lights or bike gear. From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., attendees will meet at a local, bike-friendly bar, the Montrose Saloon, for food and drinks (Specials will be available to Bike Week participants). 

Bronzeville

Community Roundtable: Vision Subzero: An Exploration into Racial Equity, Bikeways, and Urban Planning

Organized by Go Bronzeville; date TBD 

Logan Square

Win goodies when you share photos on Instagram

The Logan Square Chamber of Commerce is asking you to share your best bike to work photos on Instagram. But don’t stop there, show how you shop by bike, visit restaurants and go to the movies. Be sure to tag @logansqchamberofcommerce and use the hashtag, #B2WC18 for a chance to win prizes from Logan Square bike shops: Oscar Wastyn Cyclery, Boulevard Bikes and The Bike Lane.

Riverdale 

We Keep You Rollin’ Bike Repair Workshop

Saturday, June 16, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., 13134 S. Vernon 

Learn how to fix flats, perform a bike safety check and the ins and outs of safe cycling

We Keep You Rollin’ 3rd Annual Community Bike Ride

Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., 13134 S. Vernon 

A free community bike ride; loaner bikes available (call to reserve). There will be snacks and raffles.  

Stay on top of Active Trans events and campaigns throughout the year by subscribing to our free monthly e-newsletter.  

Middle photo courtesy of We Keep You Rollin'