The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation was one of many sponsors of this year’s North American Cycle Courier Championships held at Garfield Park in Chicago. Bike messengers (and a few non-messengers) raced to deliver “packages” around the park on a closed course. Then they competed in Bike Polo, and showed off with tricks only possible on fixed-gear bicycles.
The event is put on every year to crown the fastest, nimblest, and most strategic bike messenger from North America.
Two CDOT Bicycle Program staffers, Frank and Steven, attended the event as spectators, and Steven took a couple hundred photos.
Limited information on local bike shops has been added to the CDOT Bike Parking website.
Mayor Daley’s Bicycling Ambassadors rode in the streets three times this week alongside police bike patrol to educate bicyclists around Chicago on specific bike safety and bike law violations. Ambassador manager Emily Willobee and Junior Ambassador Charlie Short are both interviewed in this story from the Chicago Tribune.
Bicycling Metra riders will soon enjoy increased bicycle parking thanks to the CDOT Bicycle Program’s initiative to divert old bike racks from the scrap heap. While slightly damaged, aging bike racks which have been removed for construction projects are often still serviceable, and the supply of salvaged racks has been growing steadily over the years. Metra will refurbish and install some of these racks, providing 40 new bicycle parking spaces on Metra property, an area typically out of reach to the City’s Bicycle Parking Program. The City of Chicago currently provides bicycle parking in the public right of way near most Metra stations in Chicago.
Bicyclists biking to the Howard Red line station will enjoy 16 new sheltered bike parking spaces. The CTA dedicated an area to bike parking and CDOT’s Bike Parking program initially installed 8 inverted-U bike racks. There’s room for more, in case that demand for secure bike parking grows at the recently opened CTA station in Rogers Park.
The 2008 Bicycle Film Festival will be visiting Chicago on Wednesday, August 6th, through Sunday, August 10th.
From their site, “The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates the bicycle. We are into all styles of bikes and biking. What better way to celebrate these lifestyles than through art, film, music and performance? We bring together all aspects of bicycling together to advocate its ability to transport us in many ways. Ultimately the Fest is about having a good time.”
The inaugural Chicago Criterium bike race and event starts at 7 AM, with the last race starting at 2:25 PM.
Four CTA L stations will be getting indoor or sheltered bike parking, starting in August 2008.
Last Thursday evening at 10 PM CST on Fox 32 in Chicago, Mike was the featured City planner in a short feature on the increase of biking in Chicago. You can watch him, and the story, here on MyFoxChicago.com.
