Winter bikers descend on Daley Plaza

Another successful Winter Bike to Work Day is in the history books.

Active Transportation Alliance holds this event each year on January 20 in honor of the coldest day in Chicago history. On this date in 1985, a mark of -27 below was recorded at O'Hare International Airport. 

This year's event was back in Daley Plaza after being held in other locations the past few years. We had been receiving a lot of feedback and interest in the rally as we ramped up promotion the last two weeks.

As I and the other staff-volunteers arrived at Dearborn and Washington shortly after 6 a.m. this morning, we were surprised to be greeted by three radio networks and six early commuters.

It made me think about the news in recent weeks that bike commuting in Chicago has doubled over the last five years. And clearly winter is no exception.

More and more bike commuters began to stream in with the growing daylight, and soon a large crowd was milling around the two tents. Joining the fun was Carrie Boo, the Caribou Coffee mascot.

In addition to the Caribou Coffee and Eli’s Cheesecake, both Winter Bike to Work Day traditions, Active Trans raffled away a folding bike (courtesy of Advil), a Flipcam (courtesy of MB Financial Bank), and whole bean Caribou coffee. 

Each participant also rode away with a Bike Winter fleece balaclava and a Schwinn bike bell.

While handing out coffee and bike swag, we were also busy signing up participants for MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive to be held on May 27. Since registration opened for the event today, it gave us a chance to focus on warm and sunny bike rides.

Photos on the right courtesy of Serge Lubomudrov.