Chicago Real Estate Blog

Cycling in the City (Part III)

Although it is considered a recreational sport by many, countless Chicago commuters choose to bike it to work (especially now that gas prices are hitting record highs). The downtown McDonald’s Cycle Center, located in the northeast corner of Millennium Park at Michigan Avenue and Randolph, provides services and secured parking for people who prefer to bike to the office. There are bicycle racks with 300 spaces, a repair shop open from 10am to 6pm in summer, plus lockers, showers and towel service to freshen up after your ride.

The Center also hosts bike rentals and guided tours. A membership (not needed to park) gets you discounts on repairs, retail merchandise, I-GO car sharing and city biking events. Get info on hours, services, rental fees, membership details and more at www.chicagobikestation.com.

In the past year Mayor Daley has shown enthusiasm for setting up a bike sharing program in Chicago (such as they have in European cities like Paris and Copenhagen). But the city isn’t the only one promoting the use of bicycles in Chicago. Some local organizations encourage bike riding through special programs, such as The Field Museum’s shared bike initiative for employees that launched this spring. Now roughly 20% of the museum’s fulltime staff regularly bike to work.

The addition of assigned bikeways are helpful to Chicago cyclists, but the best way to ensure safe riding is to familiarize yourself with city bicycle ordinances and to follow the traffic laws. For a full list of biking “dos and don’ts” check out the CDOT website (Chicago Department of Transportation). You may be surprised by what you find… For instance, did you know there are $250 penalties for riding on the sidewalk in certain areas? And any car found standing, parking, blocking or driving in a bike lane/path is subject to a $100 fine, plus immediate tow to the city impound. Whether you bike or drive, being aware of the rules and abiding by them will help keep everyone on the road safe and sound.

Posted at 09:30AM May 19, 2008 by Spencer Mason in General  |  Comments[0]