Annual Bike the Drive Event in Chicago

Jess Audey traveled to Chicago from Columbus, Ohio, with her 10-year-old daughter, Darcy Evert, to participate in a unique cycling event. They joined thousands for Bike the Drive, an annual fundraiser for the Active Transportation Alliance. On that Sunday morning, DuSable Lake Shore Drive offered cyclists the rare opportunity to bike without vehicles.

Despite initial cloud cover over the skyscrapers, the weather improved as cyclists like Audey and Darcy enjoyed the ride. Darcy expressed her favorite part of the event: sharing the experience with her mother.

“That I got to do it with my mom,” Darcy said.

Bike the Drive, celebrating its 25th year, creates a 30-mile loop from Hyde Park to Edgewater. It attracts a diverse crowd, including families, city staff, and seasoned cyclists. This year, approximately 15,500 cyclists participated, according to Clare McDermott, the event director.

McDermott emphasized the event’s role in promoting safer roads for cyclists. Features such as curb-protected bike lanes could make roads more bike-friendly, reducing accidents involving cyclists and car doors. This advocacy is crucial, especially after the tragic death of Riley O’Neil, a Chicago Department of Transportation employee, caused by an opened car door.

However, implementing such bike lanes can be controversial. Recent proposals for a bike lane on Archer Avenue in Brighton Park faced opposition from business owners and drivers.

Along the cycling route, Butler Field in Grant Park hosted activities and refreshments. A DJ played popular music while cyclists queued for pancakes.

Frantz Jerome, a 65-year-old cyclist from Lakeview, joined the ride with his wife. After years of cycling throughout the Pacific Northwest, Jerome was impressed by the event’s scale. He acknowledged the potential risks on the road due to potholes and seams, urging caution.

The Active Transportation Alliance tracks known road hazards on their website for the event’s participants.

“You gotta be careful because there’s potholes; there’s seams in the road,” Jerome said.

Among the participants was Sean Madison, general manager of Lyft Urban Solutions involved in the Divvy program. The city-owned Divvy offers rentable bikes and recorded an unprecedented one million rides in July. Madison rode with Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson’s staff and other city officials, highlighting the city’s commitment to becoming a leading bike destination.

By 11:30 a.m., DuSable Lake Shore Drive reopened to regular car traffic.