CDOT Bicycle Program

New CTA website debuts

Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:50:00 -0600

TransitChicago.com received a much needed facelift two weeks ago. But new design, layout and added functionality were not the only changes made: Website designer Tony Coppoletta uploaded a LOT of new information, including, finally, a section for the CTA’s Bike & Ride program.

Use this new section as the go-to source for all information about bikes and CTA buses and trains.

Bike & Ride

If you would like the paper brochure, the CDOT Bicycle Program would be happy to send you one.

MBAC meeting improvements

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:13:43 -0600

At last week’s Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council meeting on Wednesday, December 10th, Bicycle Program coordinator Ben Gomberg began a discussion on how to improve the meetings.

The most oft-suggested idea was a bigger meeting space in addition to a public address system so every speaker can be heard.

Ben said he’s awaiting confirmation that we can use a larger space in the building. If you have any other suggestions, please email CDOTbikes@cityofchicago.org.

Preparing your bike for winter

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:53:20 -0600

In November, there are several events open to the public about learning how to prepare you and your bike for winter riding.

Check the West Town Bikes calendar
Performance Bike Shop will be hosting a free event on Sunday, November 16, 2008, from 6:30 to 8 PM.
Mr. Bike will teach a clinic at UIC on Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 3 to 5 PM.

New Northwest Indiana bike map

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:18:00 -0500

New Northwest Indiana bike map:

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has released the first bike map for Northwest Indiana, comprising Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.

Combine with Chicago’s excellent bike map to find the best route through Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

This Thursday is Bike Messenger Appreciation Day

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:56:00 -0500

Thursday, October 9th, 2008, is Bike Messenger Appreciation Day, recognized around the world.

In Chicago, we’ll be providing our bike messengers with a free breakfast from 8 AM to 9 AM at the Thompson Center at Randolph/Clark.

Sunday Parkways in Logan Square, Garfield Park

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:33:00 -0500

Sunday Parkways begins tomorrow, Sunday, October 5th, 2008.

“Discover what happens when your streets turn into parks Oct. 5 and Oct. 26 for Sunday Parkways!

“Car traffic will be closed along a linear route from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on these days for you and your family to explore Chicago’s beautiful neighborhoods in fun and active ways.

Learn more on the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s website.

Bike racks now on EveryBlock

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:59:00 -0500

Find out where in your neighborhood bike racks were recently installed. With EveryBlock, type in your address, block, neighborhood or ZIP code and get the latest news, including new bike rack installations. EveryBlock is a great site to get a different look as to what’s happening on the street around you.

Interested in doing something creative with bike parking data? Contact us.

Photorolo took this photo of probably one of the largest...

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:12:00 -0500

Photorolo took this photo of probably one of the largest “bike parking events” in recent Chicago history. The attraction was Red Bull’s Flugtag flight show at North Avenue Beach.

Tokyo, we’re catching up. Don’t you worry....

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:51:00 -0500

Tokyo

Tokyo, we’re catching up. Don’t you worry. We’ve got robots too, you know.

Watch this video of a bike parking garage in Japan that automatically organizes and secures 9,000 bikes.

"While Northern Europe and Japan have figured out how to make bicycle commuting a safe, cheap..."

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:13:02 -0500

“While Northern Europe and Japan have figured out how to make bicycle commuting a safe, cheap alternative to driving, the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain have not. And the world’s two most populous nations, China and India, are discarding bicycles in favor of cars. A rising middle class in both countries views cycling as an unhappy reminder of the recent past, when nearly everyone was poor.”

- Browse our site to learn what Chicago is doing to make our city the most bicycle friendly city in the United States. News story from Washington Post.

"It does not matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop."

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:42:00 -0500

“It does not matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.”

- Wisdom of Confucius

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation was one of many sponsors of...

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:27:00 -0500

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.

Bike shop information added to Bike Parking site

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:09:31 -0500

Bike shop information added to Bike Parking site:

Limited information on local bike shops has been added to the CDOT Bike Parking website.

City to step up enforcement of bike laws

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:10:00 -0500

City to step up enforcement of bike laws:

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.

Decommissioned CDOT bike racks get a second chance at Metra

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:57:56 -0500

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.

New bike parking at Howard Red line

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:38:24 -0500

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.

Bicycle Film Festival coming Aug. 6

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:46:00 -0500

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.”

Tickets are $10 per program.

Chicago Criterium this weekend

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:46:25 -0500

The inaugural Chicago Criterium bike race and event starts at 7 AM, with the last race starting at 2:25 PM.

More bike parking at CTA stations

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:37:42 -0500

Four CTA L stations will be getting indoor or sheltered bike parking, starting in August 2008.

Damen on the Blue line will get over 100 indoor bike parking spaces.
Jefferson Park will be getting sheltered bike parking.
Sox-35th will be getting sheltered bike parking.
Midway will be getting additional indoor bike parking spaces, as well as outdoor bike parking spaces, 112 total.

Mike on TV

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:25:00 -0500

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.