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According to AAA, the monthly cost of owning and operating a sedan is approximately $700 a month.

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, gives Chicagoland residents the opportunity to support the movement for better biking in their community.

 

SIGN UP FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE’S BICYCLE COMMUTER CHALLENGE

Starting May 13, 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 these pop-up hang outs at three different locations. Score some swag and snacks on your afternoon commute and chat with other bike commuters, Active Transportation Alliance staff and volunteers.

  • MONDAY, MAY 13 | 4:30–6:30 PM | Medical District
  • WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 | 4:30–6:30 PM | 606 Trail
  • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 | 4:30–6:30 PM | Field Museum, Lakefront Path

 

BIKE MONTH WRAP-UP PARTY

  • FRIDAY, JUNE 21, Mike Keating Law Offices, 825 N. Milwaukee Ave.

 

RIDE OF SILENCE 2024 ON MAY 15

This annual bicycle ride honors those who were injured or killed while biking or walking in the past year. Rides will be held in Chicago, Downers Grove, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Evanston/Skokie, and Villa Park. Look at the full list of Illinois rides.

Active Transportation Alliance is one of the organizers for the Chicago Ride of Silence. Stay tuned for more details.

 

NATIONAL BIKE & ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY

On Wednesday, May 8, dozens of schools in Illinois will be participating in National Bike & Roll to School Day. Use this website to learn which schools in your county or city are participating.

 

BIKE MONTH HAPPENINGS IN SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES

ALSIP
MAY 4 & JUNE 25 | 5:30–7:30 PM | walking tour
JUNE 22 | 10 AM – noon | biking tour

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
MAY 18 | 9:45 AM | bike ride

BROOKFIELD
MAY 3 | 6:30 PM | First Friday Slow Roll Social Ride with Cycle Brookfield
MAY 11 | 11 AM | Annual bike safety and check up event with Cycle Brookfield

ELGIN
Rides hosted by Elgin Community Bikes:
MAY 11| 7 AM | More Ambitious Ride
MAY 15 | 6:30 PM | Ride of Silence
MAY 19 | 11 AM | Slow Roll Ride
MAY 24 | 9 PM | Full Moon Ride
MAY 26 | 2 PM | Kidical Mass Ride
MAY 30 |6:30 PM | Bike Fabulous

ELMHURST
MAY 5 | 10 AM | Bike Safety Day and Bike Ride | Activities include helmet fitting, bike safety check, bike obstacle course, bike safety tips, 2-mile ride along the Prairie Path, bike and helmet raffle.

EVANSTON
MAY 7 | 5:30 PM | Adult social ride, meet at Fountain Square, hosted by Evanston Bike Alliance
MAY 25 | 10 AM | Saturday family ride, meet at Raymond Park, hosted by Chicago Family Biking

GLEN ELLYN
MAY 18 | 1 PM | Glen Ellyn Bike Rodeo

HIGHLAND PARK
Bike Month Proclamation planned by City Council
MAY 18 & JUNE 1 | noon | Highland Park Historic Bike Tour with the Historic Preservation Commission. See historic and architecturally significant homes along the ride!

HOFFMAN ESTATES
JUNE 12 | Bicycle ride at Crank Revolution

PALATINE
All events hosted by Bike Palatine Club
Twice weekly casual rides + monthly Saturday long rides
Bike Month library display
MAY 19| 9 AM – 2:30 PM | Smart Cycling Course with Bike Palatine Club
JUNE 5 | 4 PM – 6 PM | ABC Quick Check workshop

RICHMOND
MAY | Tactical urbanism demonstration planned
JUNE 5 | 6 PM | Walking tour
JUNE 22 | 10 AM | Biking tour

RIVERSIDE
May 10 | 6 PM | Ride Riverside is hosting monthly slow roll rides on the 2nd Fridays of every month

SCHAUMBURG
JUNE 2 | NOON | Fahrrad Tour von Schamburg
Schaumburg is celebrating Bike Month in June with various community activities

SKOKIE 
MAY 15| Ride of Silence
June bike rides will include a Ride Chicago Fire Game and a historic ride.

STREAMWOOD
MAY 11 | 9 AM : ABC’s of Biking, a free event to introduce families to biking safely.

VILLA PARK
MAY 8 | Bike/ Walk to School Day for North Elementary School (District 45)
MAY 9 |6:30 PM | Free screening at the Villa Park Library of The Engine Inside, a documentary about using bicycles to build a better future.
MAY 11| NOON – 2 PM | Smart Cycling class
MAY 15 | 7 PM | Ride of Silence

WILMETTE
MAY 11 | 9 AM – 11 AM | Bike Walk Wilmette used bike collection to support Working Bikes

 

 

GET SUPPORT FOR YOUR OWN BIKE MONTH EVENT

If you’re part of a group that is thinking of organizing a bike-related event during Chicago Bike Month, you might be inspired by reading through this extensive list of event ideas.

Also, Active Transportation Alliance is thrilled to offer a series of mini-stipends to support advocacy work and community-based events that celebrate biking during Bike Month — and beyond.

If you’re putting on a Bike Month activity, share it with us and we’ll post the event here or link to it.

 

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.   

Here are a couple of good articles for people new to biking from our long-time sponsor, 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.

Check back to learn about all the activities and how to get involved in creating a better region for biking.

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Active Trans 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.