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While the Chicago region’s population grew by 18 percent since 1980, the traffic increased by 66 percent in the same period.

Get ready to bike commute with Bike Commuter Challenge

Contact:
Ethan Spotts
312.427.3325 x 287
ethan@activetrans.org

Released May 29, 2013

Get ready to bike commute with Bike Commuter Challenge
Bike commuters invited to celebrate at Bike Pit Stops June 8-14

The Bike Commuter Challenge will pit more than 450 Chicagoland businesses, nonprofits, schools and agencies against each other to see you who can get the highest percentage of employees biking to work next week.

This year’s competition includes the likes of Jones Lang LaSalle, Allstate Insurance, BMO Harris Bank, Orbitz, Motorola, Sears, United Airlines, Alcatel Lucent, Groupon, University of Chicago, American Medical Association and the Village of Oak Lawn. See a list of all the companies online.

And these bike commuters throughout Chicagoland are expected to come out in record numbers to the Bike Pit Stops around the region to celebrate 2013 Chicago Bike Week, June 8-14.

For its 21st year in Chicagoland, Chicago Bike Week honors the two-wheeled commute and encourages newcomers to put their mettle to the pedal.

The celebration includes the Bike Commuter Challenge and Bike Pit Stops, hosted by the Active Transportation Alliance, as well as many other events produced by the City of Chicago and numerous municipalities and government organizations across Chicagoland.

During the week, Bike Pit Stops along popular bike routes in Chicago and at suburban Metra stations give bike commuters a much-deserved pat on the back with free coffee and goodies. The full schedule of Bike Pit Stops and other bike events are listed below and can be found here http://bikecommuterchallenge.org/pitstops.

“This is a chance to make your commute the highlight of your day,” said Melody Geraci, Active Transportation Alliance deputy executive director. “With increased awareness of commuting options that can improve the quality of life for everyone, we expect more people than ever to participate in the weeklong event that celebrates the two-wheeled commute.”

Winners will be announced publicly and at the Bike Commuter Challenge awards party for Team Leaders on July 10. 

There is still time to sign a team up for the Bike Commuter Challenge and encourage your coworkers to visit one of the many bike pit stops and other great events for Bike to Work Week. Join at www.bikecommuterchallenge.org. The website also offers resources for anyone looking to commute by bike. 

2013 Chicago Bike Week celebration details. Learn more at www.bikecommuterchallenge.org and www.bikechicago.us.

Saturday, June 8

The 10th Annual Bike the 30th Ward ride, 3501 N. Kilborn, 8:30-Noon (approx. 6-7 miles)

Monday, June 10

  • Monday June 10 – Wednesday, June 12, Spinning Alfresco, free outdoor spin classes at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park at 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.
  • Velo Yoga by Moksha, a free outdoor yoga class with tailored poses for cyclists on Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., beginning at noon.
  • Bikes & Barbeque Happy Hour & Movie Night, 2959 North Lincoln Ave (Heritage Cycles & General Store), 5 p.m.
  • 1337 N. Wells Street (Village Cycle at Evergreen Avenue), 6:30–9 a.m. and 4-6p.m.
  • 150 W. Roosevelt Road, 6:30–9 a.m.
  • 2313 N. Milwaukee Ave. (Cafe Mustache), 6:30-9:30 a.m.
  • 51st Street Community Garden (at Calumet), 6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
  • Joliet Metra Station, 6–8 a.m.
  • NE corner of E. Huron and Fairbanks, 7-9 a.m.
  • Northbrook Metra station, 6:30–8 a.m.

Tuesday, June 11

  • Illinois Prairie Path at Spring Road in Elmhurst, 7 a.m., Ride to work with DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin
  • Screening of The Triplets of Bellville, Millennium Park Great Lawn, dusk
  • 1466 N. Halsted St. (REI), 6:30–9 a.m.
  • 2016 W. Roscoe (Roscoe Village Bikes), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
  • 2163 N. Clybourn (Roll), 4:30-6:30 p.m.
  • 2459 W. Division (Ciclo Urbano) 6:30–9 a.m.
  • Elmhurst Metra station, 6:30–8:30 a.m.
  • North Shore Channel Trail at Foster Ave., 6:30–9 a.m.
  • Homewood Metra station, 6-8 a.m.
  • Wheaton Metra station, 6:30–8:30 a.m.
  • Wilmette Metra station, 6:30–8 a.m.
  • 1908 W. Chicago Ave. (Comrade Cycles), 6:30-9 a.m.
  • 1520 E. 57th St. (University of Chicago), 6:30-9 a.m.

Wednesday, June 12

  • Near North Bike Tour led by Lee Diamond of Chicago Neighborhood Bike Tours,  a FREE two-hour tour of the Near North Side beginning at 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Ride is limited to 150 participants. Visit bikechicago.us for registration and event details.
  • 1337 N. Wells St. (Village Cycle at Evergreen Avenue), 4:30–7 p.m.
  • Ashland Ave., Division St. and Milwaukee Ave. (Polish Triangle), 6:30–9 a.m.
  • Des Plaines Metra station, 6:30–8 a.m.
  • Downers Grove Metra station, 6:30–8:30 a.m.
  • Lincoln Ave., Clark St. and Wells St. (near Green City Market), 6:30–9 a.m.
  • Hammond South Shore Station, 6-8 a.m.
  • Jacobs Center, 2001 Sheridan Rd., Evanston (Northwestern University), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Loyola, Winthrop and Sheridan, 5-7p.m.
  • Orland Park 143rd St. Metra, 6-8 a.m.

Thursday, June 13

  • 9575 W. Higgins Rd. (Christopher Burke Engineering) 7-8:30 a.m.
  • Arlington Heights Metra station, 6:30–8 a.m.
  • Lemont Metra, 6-8 a.m.
  • North Lakefront Trail at Fullerton Parkway, 6:30–9 a.m.
  • Millennium Park Bike Station, 7-9 a.m.
  • South Lakefront Trail at Museum Campus, 6:30–9 a.m.
  • Villa Park Metra, 6-30 a.m.

Friday, June 14

  • Bike to Work Day Rally, 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Daley Plaza
  • Elmhurst Metra station, 6:30–8:30 a.m.
  • Evanston, Davis St. Metra and L station, 6:30–8 a.m.
  • Hegewisch South Shore station, 6-8 a.m.
  • Oak Lawn Metra station, 6 a.m.–8 a.m.

Saturday, June 15

  • American Chartered Bank in Bartlett (388 S. Main St.), 9 a.m.
    25-mile Bartlett Bicycle Tour 

 

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325. 
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