Streets for Cycling 2020 public meetings

The next Streets for Cycling public meeting is happening tomorrow on the south side.


Thursday 5/31, 4 – 8 p.m.
Gary Comer Youth Center - Exhibition Hall, 3rd floor at 7200 S. Ingleside Ave. 
Presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m. 


There are more meetings and 2 webinars coming soon.

Wednesday 6/6, 4 – 8 p.m.
Douglas Park Cultural and Community Center - Ballroom 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. 

Presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m. 

Saturday 6/9 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
77 S. Dearborn – Building Lobby  
Open House 

Webinar #1 Monday 6/11  Noon – 1 p.m. 
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/lEV2k

Webinar #2 Wednesday 6/13  6 – 7 p.m. 
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/CQSS9

new bike station in Hyde Park

Do you bike commute to Hyde Park? Are you aware that a new bike commuter station just opened on 53rd Street?  If you nearby, you may want to check it out.  Similar to the Millennium Park bike station, it offers bike mechanic services, lockers and showers.

Streets for Cycling 2020 - public meetings to unveil network plan

Today is the big day. Are you curious about what the new bike route network will look like?


The first Open House for the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 is at the Copernicus Center (5216 W. Lawrence Ave.)  from 4 pm - 8 pm, with presentations and Q&A at 4:30 and 6:30.  It's your first opportunity to see the network plan.

There are more meetings and 2 webinars coming soon.


Thursday 5/31, 4 – 8 p.m.
Gary Comer Youth Center - Exhibition Hall, 3rd floor at 7200 S. Ingleside Ave. 
Presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m. 


Wednesday 6/6, 4 – 8 p.m.
Douglas Park Cultural and Community Center - Ballroom 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. 

Presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m. 

Saturday 6/9 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
77 S. Dearborn – Building Lobby  
Open House 

Webinar #1 Monday 6/11  Noon – 1 p.m. 
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/lEV2k

Webinar #2 Wednesday 6/13  6 – 7 p.m. 
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/CQSS9

watch out for bikes stolen from Blue City

UPDATED 5/14

Blue City Cycles was broken into Friday night and 10 bikes were stolen. They recovered 4 of them at Swap-o-rama yesterday and another later. Keep your eyes open for the 5 that are still missing.

I've added links to the manufacturers' web sites for pictures of the specific models.  The Yuba Mundo cargo bike is the most recognizable.  There aren't many of those around town.

-Terry Symmetry, red/white - FOUND

-Torker Interurban, Matte Blue, 54cm, ISBS11D10279, $625

-Torker, U-District, Navy Blue, 56cm, ISBS12B01853, $370

-GT, Traffic 4.0, Matte Grey, XL, City Hybrid, SNMNG09K8372, $475

-GT Nomad, Navy Blue, Small womens, Comfort Hybrid, SNMNG11D84556 $410

-Yuba Mundo, Cargo bike, Blue, one size fits all, ACA11A008335 $1175

If you see any of these bikes, please notify the folks at Blue City.

NATO-related restrictions on Metra - bikes and more

FYI - If you regularly ride Metra or if you were planning to next weekend, you may want to check out this page on the Metra web site.  I've included a portion of the info below.

Metra has implemented a wide range of safety measures during the NATO Summit.  Passengers may see an increased law enforcement presence and K-9 units.

In addition, the following safety measures apply to riders of all Metra lines during the three days (May 19, 20 and 21) of the summit:

• Riders may be subject to search and/or screening before boarding or while en route.
• Riders may carry only one bag not exceeding 15 inches square and 4 inches deep. Boxes, parcels, luggage, backpacks and bicycles will not be allowed on trains. Banned items cannot be stored at Metra stations. They must be removed or they will be disposed of.
• Riders may not carry any food or liquids on the trains. This includes coffee and other beverages.
• Riders may not carry any type of tools, pipes, stakes, wood or weapons, including pocket knives and pepper spray, on the trains.
• Law enforcement personnel must identify themselves and present their credentials and any weapons. 
• Security guards will not be allowed to carry any weapons onboard.

As far as the passenger experience is concerned, it sounds like "most lines will operate normally" is an oxymoron in the context of NATO.  With security checks, I'd be very surprised if trains run on time.  Allow some extra time for your Metra trip, and check the Metra web site again later in the week in case of further updates.

info on NATO street closures 5/19-5/21

We've just gotten information on the planned street closures for the upcoming NATO conference at McCormick Place.

The first item is an official press release that spells out detailed information on what is closed on which date.

The second is an online map that shows closure areas.

There has been no specific information yet about the lakefront path. However, I think it's safe to assume that, because it runs so close to McCormick Place, the path will be closed that weekend, and that traveling it between the museum campus and 31st St. will not be possible.

Information on this topic is being regularly updated in a related Chainlink discussion.

   - Anne Alt

CCC meeting on 5/8

As we usually do in odd-numbered months, we're having a social night starting at 7:00 p.m.  We're trying out a new place: Northdown Cafe, 3244 N. Lincoln.  They've got dishes for vegetarians, carnivores and vegans and quite a beer list - wow! 

Whether you're a member or just thinking about it, you're welcome to come.  If you're taking the train and not riding your bike, it's a short walk south from the CTA brown line at Paulina. 

Please add a comment below to let us know if you're planning to come, so we can give the restaurant an accurate count.

bike racks stolen from cars

The following disturbing news came today from Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd ward:

There was a rash of bike rack thefts last night in Bucktown and Wicker Park.  

My dad had his ripped off his car with a claw hammer. They destroyed his rooftop. 

Most were Thules from what I could make out. 

You might want to send an alert to any friends with racks. I posted on Everyblock and Facebook. As if bikes aren't enough, now they want the racks. -- Scott Waguespack, 32nd Ward Alderman

If you have a good quality bike rack on your car, you may not want to leave that rack on the car if it's on the street at night. Please share this info with friends who have racks on their cars, and keep your eyes open for thieves in action. Hopefully someone will spot these thieves and call 911 so they'll get caught SOON.

upcoming Streets for Cycling 2020 public meetings

Want to see the Streets for Cycling 2020 draft network? The team listened to your ideas about where you bike, where you want improvements and what would encourage you to cycle more. You have several opportunities to view the draft network plan and help fine tune it. Possible street treatments and bike facilities, remaining challenges and next steps will be discussed.

Copernicus Center
5216 W. Lawrence Ave.
Tues. 5/22, 4 – 8 p.m.
Presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m.

Gary Comer Youth Center - Exhibition Hall, 3rd floor
7200 S. Ingleside Ave.
Thurs. 5/31, 4 – 8 p.m.
Presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m.

Douglas Park Cultural and Community Center - Ballroom
1401 S. Sacramento Dr.
Wed. 6/6, 4 – 8 p.m.
Presentation with Q&A at 4:30 & 6:30p.m.

77 S. Dearborn – Lobby - Sat. 6/9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Open House

Webinar #1 - Mon. 6/11, Noon – 1 p.m.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/lEV2k

Webinar #2 - Wed. 6/13, 6 – 7 p.m.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: http://goo.gl/CQSS9