Throughout the month of May, Chicago Bike Month provides an opportunity to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to give biking a try. The month-long event, which is presented by FK Law and Keating Law Offices, gives Chicagoland residents the opportunity to support the movement for better biking in their community.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE’S BICYCLE COMMUTER CHALLENGE

The Bike Commuter Challenge (sponsored by Keating Law Offices) is a month-long biking competition in which Chicagoland organizations compete to see who can earn the most points by riding their bike. It’s free to participate! Just sign up, ride your bike, and watch the points roll in. The 2026 Challenge will be held Tuesday, May 11 – Sunday, June 7.  You don’t have to be an experienced bike commuter to participate. Learn how it works. 

BIKE COMMUTER CHALLENGE CELEBRATION STATIONS

During Bike Month, join us at one or more of our pop-up hang outs at different locations. Score some swag and snacks on your afternoon commute and chat with other bike commuters, Active Transportation Alliance staff, and volunteers.

RIDE OF SILENCE

This annual bicycle ride honors those who were recently injured or killed while biking or walking. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 20, 2026. More details to come.  
 

BIKE MONTH 2026 EVENTS IN SUBURBAN CHICAGOLAND

April  May   June  July  August  September   Monthly Rides   

NATIONAL BIKE & ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY

Use this website to learn which schools in your county or city are participating.
   

LEARN MORE

During Bike Month and beyond, consider supporting our non-profit community bikes shops. These shops not only provide affordable repairs and sell used bikes, but they also play an essential role in promoting how cycling helps create prosperous, healthy, and equitable communities. Also, Chicago Family Biking offers an extensive list of family-oriented bike rides taking place throughout Chicagoland in coming months. Looking for some tips that will make your Chicagoland biking trips safer and easier? Here’s a good place to start.  Ride Illinois offers an interactive bike safety quiz that teaches adults, children, motorists, and truck drivers how to share the road safely. Here are a couple of good articles for people new to biking from REI: And be sure to check out Active Trans’ massive list of links and resources to help you learn more about walking, biking, and using transit in the Chicago region.  

CREATE YOUR OWN BIKE MONTH EVENT

If you’re part of a group that is thinking of organizing a bike-related event next year during Chicago Bike Month, you might be inspired by reading through this extensive list of event ideas. If you’re putting on a Bike Month activity, share it with us and we’ll post the event here or link to it.      
  Active Transportation Alliance is able to carry out its work thanks to support and donations from people like you. If you’re not a member of Active Trans, please join us. Already a member? Consider donating to ensure that this important work keeps moving forward.
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