Bike the Drive in Chicago: A Family Experience and Advocacy for Safer Cycling

Jess Audey traveled from Columbus, Ohio, to Chicago with her 10-year-old daughter, Darcy Evert, to seize the unique yearly chance to cycle on DuSable Lake Shore Drive without vehicle traffic. On a Sunday morning, despite the skyline initially shrouded in clouds, the weather improved. The mother and daughter joined Bike the Drive, a cherished annual event.

Darcy shared her favorite aspect: “That I got to do it with my mom.” Bike the Drive, celebrating its 25th year, is a noteworthy fundraiser organized by the Active Transportation Alliance. This nonprofit organization champions enhanced infrastructure for walking, biking, and public transit use in the Chicago region.

A 30-mile section of DuSable Lake Shore Drive, extending from Hyde Park to Edgewater, was exclusively for cyclists starting at 6:30 a.m. Participants, which included families, municipal employees, and avid cyclists seeking something different, filled the route. Clare McDermott, director of events and marketing for the Active Transportation Alliance, reported approximately 15,500 cyclists participated.

She emphasized the purpose: “Bike the Drive is a day to experience what it could feel like if our roads were more comfortable for bikers to ride on.” A key element of making roads more bike-friendly involves installing curb-protected bike lanes, separated by concrete barriers, to prevent accidents like dooring.

In June, Riley O’Neil, a Chicago Department of Transportation employee, tragically died when a car door suddenly opened in his path, leading to a fatal incident.

Despite their benefits, bike lanes can stir political controversy. Plans to add a lane along Archer Avenue in Brighton Park met resistance from business owners and motorists.

Grant Park’s Butler Field hosted refreshments and activities for cyclists, where 40 people lined up for pancakes while a DJ played Smash Mouth’s “All Star.” The main event took place in Grant Park, and entry spots extended to the Museum of Science and Industry on the South Side.

Frantz Jerome, 65, a Lakeview resident and dedicated cyclist with experience on major paths in the Pacific Northwest, began his ride near Fullerton Avenue around 7 a.m. He expressed enthusiasm for the turnout, noting the constant presence of fellow cyclists. Jerome acknowledged the risks of cycling on uneven roads but was hopeful for a safe experience.

The Active Transportation Alliance maintains an updated list of potholes on the Bike the Drive website for cyclist awareness.

Sean Madison, general manager at Lyft Urban Solutions for the Divvy program, joined the cyclists. Divvy, a city-owned service offering rentable bikes and scooters, recorded a peak usage month in July, exceeding one million rides.

Madison, alongside Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s staff and figures such as CTA’s Nora Leerhsen and Active Transportation Alliance’s Amy Rynell, began riding at 6:30 a.m. Madison remarked on the event’s impact, stating, “Chicago is a bike city, and we will continue to lead and turn our city into a world-class bike destination.”

Vehicle traffic returned to DuSable Lake Shore Drive by 11:30 a.m., marking the end of another successful Bike the Drive event.