Bike Chicago- Living Green in the City

Updated 7:08 PM CST, Tue, Jul 28, 2009

Print Email Share TWITTER FACEBOOK

Bike Chicago 2009 - Living Green In The City! Bike Chicago 2009 is back with more reasons than ever to bike around the city. Making the choice to bike is one way to a healthier you and a greener city and planet.

During May, June, July, August and September, more than 100 events will offer fun and exciting ways to promote the economic, environmental and health benefits of biking as an alternative form of transportation. Now in it's 19th year, Bike Chicago 2009 has become a five month long celebration of Chicago’s commitment to become more bicycle friendly and environmentally conscious.

Bike Chicago events include neighborhood, lakefront and architectural bike tours, cycling classes, bike maintenance workshops and much more. This year's premier events are Bike the Drive(May 24); Bike to Work Rally (June 19); LATE Ride (July 11-12); Chicago Criterium (July 26) and the Boulevard Lakefront Tour (September 13).

Bike Chicago 2009 is presented by the Mayor's Office of Special Events and Goose Island 312. What could be better after a long hot ride through the city than a nice, cold Chicago beer? 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Chicago's beer, is the title sponsor for Bike Chicago. Enjoy the Goose Island 312 beer garden at the Bike to Work Rally on June 19 and the Chicago Criterium on July 26. Finish your ride, then take your taste buds for a spin.

The City of Chicago will welcome cycling's elite to Grant Park on Chicago's beautiful lakefront for the city's 2nd annual Chicago Criterium on Sunday, July 26, 2009. The Chicago Criterium was recently named the best criterim race in the United States by USA Cycling. Best described as NASCAR on bikes, spend a day at the races and watch professional cyclists from all over the world as they test their wit and skills on the streets of Chicago. Racing will start at 7:00 a.m. on Columbus in front of Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park.More details, including spectator viewing, festival area, sports expo and registration information, will soon be available online at www.chicagocriterium.us.

Don't miss the Bike to Work Rally on Friday, June 19! Riding your bike can help displace more than 238 million gallons of gasoline annually and reduce the amount of volatile pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, released by vehicle emissions. Choose the economic and healthy alternative and become a bike commuter. This challenges commuters to put down the keys, step off the bus and bike their way to work! Join fellow cyclists, local media celebrities, live bands and the City of Chicago at Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn Streets) for a day full of activities beginning at 7:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Bike Chicago 2009 is presented by the Mayor's Office of Special Events and Goose Island 312 in cooperation with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bally’s, SRAM, NBC 5, 93XRT, Bally’s, Hinckley Springs, Whole Foods, the Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Park District, Active Transportation Alliance, RCN, Chicago Police Department and the Messenger Service Association of Illinois.

For more information and details on Bike Chicago 2009, please call (312) 744-3315, (312) 744-3370 (hotline) or visit www.bikechicago.us and now on Facebook (Bike Chicago).