Bike The Drive

Bike The Drive is a recreational, non-competitive bicycle ride held each year in Chicago, in which Lake Shore Drive is cleared of motor vehicle traffic and opened exclusively to bicyclists for several hours beginning at dawn. The event benefits bicycling advocacy work in the region by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. For the past several years, Bike The Drive has been held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. In 2006, an estimated 20,000 riders participated in the event.

Route

The route extends nearly the entire length of the famous roadway, from 57th Street on the South Side to Bryn Mawr Avenue on the North Side. The maximum route length is 30 miles, with riders beginning at Grant Park, going to the South and/or North extremes, and then returning to the starting point. Rest areas with refreshments and repair services are located at the north and south ends of the route, as well as the starting point. In addition, volunteers riding with the participants and stationed along the route offer assistance to riders. A festival in Grant Park usually follows the event, and includes music, food, and cycling-related activities.

History

Bike The Drive was launched by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation in 2002 to raise funds for programs to expand the Chicago area's bicycle transportation network, promote bicycling as a mode of transportation, improve bicycling conditions and traffic safety, and provide bicyclists with a variety of resources and support.

The event is organized in coordination with the City of Chicago, whose Mayor, Richard M. Daley, is a supporter of cycling. [http://www.bicyclingambassadors.org/] [http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/136.html]

Past Event Dates

* June 9, 2002
* June 15, 2003
* May 30, 2004
* May 29, 2005
* May 28, 2006
* May 27, 2007
* May 25, 2008

ee also

*Chicagoland Bicycle Federation
*Bicycling in Chicago

External links

* [http://www.bikethedrive.org/ Official Site]
* [http://www.biketraffic.org/ Chicagoland Bicycle Federation]