bike culture in Chicago

Chicago is a pretty bike-friendly city, overall. Chicago has a lot of bike lanes around the city. Active Transit Alliance is a great organization, and Chicago is one of many cities nationwide which hosts Critical Mass events. Chicago Critical Mass' next event happens next Friday, May 30.

With gas prices going through the roof, more awareness about the importance of green culture and environmental protection, and more people becoming aware of healthy lifestyles, it seems that more and more people are biking. Chicago's "Bike the Drive," when bicyclists take over Lake Shore Drive, is happening this Sunday, May 25. Several months ago, I went to an event called "Pedestrian Hell," which included a screening of a film called "Ciclovia." Bogota, Colombia has designated one day a week on which which over 70 miles of city streets are closed to traffic. I've heard that some people are trying to bring Ciclovia to Chicago, but I don't know when/if that initiative will go through here.

Chicago has a lot of good bicycle shops, including several places where you can go to fix and make your own bike. The Chicago Community Bike Project, in collaboration with West Town Bikes, offers classes where you can fix or build your own bike. In Hyde Park, the Blackstone Bicycle Works offers classes. Their website says BBW is "a not-for-profit after school and summer program aimed at providing local youth with a safe space to learn practical skills about bikes and the basics of entrepreneurial success."

There are still dangers to bicycling. Ghost bikes are memorials for bikers who have been killed on the road. Yesterday The Chicago Tribune ran a story about ghost bikes. Ghost bikes are roadside memorials for bicyclists who have died in car accidents. Two years ago The City of Chicago started "Safe Streets Chicago," which is an excellent initiative.