Bike the Drive

Bike the Drive or Fifth Third Bike the Drive is a recreational, non-competitive bicycle ride held each year in Chicago. Lake Shore Drive is cleared of motor vehicle traffic and opened exclusively to bicyclists for several hours beginning at dawn. The event benefits bicycling advocacy work in the region by the Active Transportation Alliance, formerly known as the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation. Since 2004, Bike the Drive has been held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. In 2006, an estimated 20,000 riders participated in the event. The event is sponsored by Fifth Third Bank and branded as Fifth Third Bike the Drive; it was previously sponsored by MB Financial Bank from 2010-2018 and prior to 2010, was sponsored by Bank of America.

Bike the Drive
Cyclists on Lake Shore Drive in 2005
StatusActive
GenreRecreational, non-competitive bicycle ride
FrequencyAnnually on Memorial Day weekend
VenueLake Shore Drive
Location(s)Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates41°55′55″N 87°37′55″W
CountryUnited States of America
Years active18
InauguratedJune 9, 2002 (2002-06-09)
Attendancecirca 20,000
Organised byChicagoland Bicycle Federation
City of Chicago
SponsorFifth Third Bank (since 2019)
Websitebikethedrive.org

Route

The route extends nearly the entire length of the famous roadway, from 57th Street on the South Side to Bryn Mawr Avenue on the North Side. The maximum route length is 30 miles (48 km), with riders beginning at Grant Park, going to the south and north extremes, and then returning to the starting point. Rest areas with refreshments and repair services are located at the north and south ends of the route, as well as the starting point. In addition, volunteers riding with the participants and stationed along the route offer assistance to riders. A festival in Grant Park follows the event, and includes music, food, cycling-related activities, and vendors and exhibitors.

History

Bike the Drive was launched by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation in 2002 to raise funds for programs to expand the Chicago area's bicycle transportation network, promote bicycling as a mode of transportation, improve bicycling conditions and traffic safety, and provide bicyclists with a variety of resources and support.

The event is organized in coordination with the City of Chicago, its agencies and departments.[1]

Past event dates
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See also

References
  1. "Bicycling". The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. Chicago Historical Society. 2005. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
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