25th Ward bike ride and new protected bike lane

This past Sunday, I participated in Ald. Danny Solis’ second annual Bike the 25th Ward ride. The event was great – hot chocolate and a leisurely 5-mile bike ride starting and ending at Harrison Park and passing through Pilsen, Chinatown, and Little Italy.

Even more exciting than the bike ride itself was the announcement that Ald. Solis and the Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein made at the start of the event: The 25th Ward is getting a .55-mile long protected bike lanes on 18th St. from Clinton Street to Clark Street.

The lanes will facilitate a safe route for residents to get to the 18th Street./Halsted Arts District, downtown and the Lakefront Trail. The announcement touched on some of the benefits of the bike lanes, namely that they will allow for safe bike riding over the 18th Street bridge.

As a resident of the 25th ward, I'm proud of Ald. Solis for being at the forefront of innovative bicycle infrastructure.

Not only will the protected bike lane be built, but part of the project will also improve infrastructure upgrades like storm grates and adding bicycle-friendly plates to the 18th Street Bridge.

I believe that these bike lanes are a great opportunity to improve the health and safety of our community. And the best part is they will be done by November of this year.

Thank you, Alderman Solis for a great event and for this great improvement to our community.