How to Bike in Chicago

As a classic Midwestern city, Chicago really lives up to its “broad-shouldered” persona with wide, radiant avenues and boulevards. This means that even though bike lanes weren’t part of the original city plan, they are being incorporated more and more. Here are some tips to become part of the ever-growing body of dedicated urban cyclists.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Get a map of bike lanes in Chicago. The Chicago Bicycle Federation publishes good ones, and there are comprehensive online sources (see Resources below). The forest preserve trail in the northern area of the city and the bike lanes along Lake Michigan are my favorites.
2. Use roads with dedicated bike lanes whenever possible. While bike maps show some roads where the lanes are wide enough to bear a bike and car side by side, it is better to have a clearly delineated line between you and motorists. Chicago has a good enough network that you really shouldn’t have to leave these bike thoroughfares too often.
3. Learn the laws of the road and be defensive. When turning or changing lanes, let drivers know with a hand signal. Make eye contact with drivers to let them know where you are. At intersections, watch for cars making “blind” rights. Maintain a door-length buffer between you and parked cars if possible.
4. Be careful using the bike racks on the front of CTA buses. Make sure to check the integrity of the equipment while mounting your bike. If possible, stick to porting your bike on the elevated trains. Also, be aware that bikes are not allowed on trains during rush hour or major events (such as parades, festivals, etc.).
5. Make sure both the frame and the front wheel are secured when locking your bike. If the back wheel is quick release, have that locked down too.
6. Ride your bike to work and feel proud. Chicago is becoming more and more bike friendly every day, and it takes popular support. Bike commuting is a win-win situation, you get exercise while minimizing your carbon footprint.

Tips & Warnings

• Since there are little altitude changes, mix up your cadence to really get an aerobic and anaerobic workout. This could mean maintaining a higher average cadence or just alternating between sprints and a more leisurely pace.