Hit the ground pedaling this spring

As the Chicago Cycling Club’s ride schedule for this spring and summer continues to fill up, here’s an idea for a ride that a potential new ride leader in search of an idea could easily develop. Why not string together the existing protected bike lanes into a nice spin around town—north, south and west?

Such a ride would familiarize cyclists with the protected lanes that already exist. That, in turn, would encourage these cyclists to use the protected lanes on other occasions. In addition, such a ride would get more bodies and bikes on these lanes, which would show real, physical support for their more protected lanes.

Some of the existing lanes are on Kinzie Street (between Milwaukee Avenue and Wells Street); Jackson Boulevard (between Damen Avenue and Halsted Street); Dearborn Street (between Polk Street and Wacker Drive); and 18th Street (between Clark Street and Canal Street). Additional protected lanes are being built and will open soon, so watch for those developments and consider adding the new lanes to your route.

If the protected lanes already built are not used, they will lose support and the momentum behind creating addition protected bike lanes all over Chicago could be diminished. Use ’em or lose ’em!

With each new protected lane, more motorists grumble. Those motorists will be looking for reason to oppose such lanes. If the protected lanes are not patronized, opposition to current and future lanes will grow. Let’s celebrate our assets!

It’s easy to lead a ride. Just go the CCC’s Member Page (chicagocyclingclub.org/member) and click on the link “Ride Leader Resources.”  

- Greg Borzo