May is Chicago Bike Month

       
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

Beginning May 27, 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.

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.
  • May 28, Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 p.m., 606 Trail at Damen Ave.
  • June 11, Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Museum Campus on the Lakefront Trail
  • June 13, Friday, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Metra station (to be announced)
 

RIDE OF SILENCE 2025 ON MAY 21

This annual bicycle ride honors those who were recently injured or killed while biking or walking. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Chicago Ride of Silence. In Chicago, riders will be gathering at Queen’s Landing at 5:30 p.m. and depart at 6 p.m. Please register if you’re participating in the Chicago ride. Active Transportation Alliance is one of the organizers for the Chicago Ride of Silence. Each year, rides are held in a number a suburban communities.  

NATIONAL BIKE & ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY

On Wednesday, May 7, dozens of schools in Illinois will be participating in National Bike & Roll to School Day. Towns with schools participating include Bartlett, Batavia, Berwyn, Carpentersville, Chicago, Elmhurst, Evergreen Park, Palatine, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Warrenville, and West Dundee Use this website to learn which schools in your county or city are participating.

BIKE MONTH HAPPENINGS IN CHICAGO

  • May 29: Streets Calling Season Opener Kick-Off Ride, featuring a DJ and swag give-a-ways beforehand. Meet up at W. 24th St. and S. Federal St., Park No. 540. Meet up at 7 p.m., ride out at 8:30pm. Sponsored by Active Transportation Alliance and FK Law.
  • May 7: 40th Ward Infrastructure and Development Town Hall, Waldorf School, presentation from 6 – 7:30 p.m. on all the construction and development projects happening in the 40th Ward
  • May 17: Biking out Negativity bike ride, noon to 5 p.m., 3147 West Douglas Boulevard
  • Biketropolis Chicago World’s 1893 World’s Fair Route for Chicago Bike Month, self-guided route will be released the final week of May.
  • June 8: Uptown History Bike Tour, 1 – 2:30 pm, with 46th Ward Neighbors United and Broadway Bikes
  • July 26: We Keep You Rollin’ Legacy Ride
  • August 16: Street Love Ride, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., 3147 West Douglas Boulevard
 

BIKE MONTH HAPPENINGS IN SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES

We’ll share more suburban events here as they become available.  

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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