The sound of engines was replaced by clicks of spinning bicycle chains and ringing bells on DuSable Lake Shore Drive Sunday morning as nearly 15,000 bikers weaved through lanes for the 23rd annual Bike the Drive Sunday morning.
The 15-mile stretch of the route spanned from the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to West Bryn Mawr Avenue. Riders could enter at the museum, Grant Park, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Fullerton Avenue and Oakwood Boulevard beginning at 6:30 a.m., with Lake Shore Drive opening back up to traffic by noon, Active Transportation Alliance officials said.
“It’s really an embodiment of our mission, which is creating a region that has more options to get around safely by foot,” said Amy Rynell, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “It’s just better for our quality of life, our health, our climate.”
The event drew bikers of all ages, with many coming to ride bikes with their families.
West Loop residents Conor and Stacy Callahan, who participated for the first time this year, enjoyed being able to bike ride safely without the risk of biking alongside cars.
“It’s so rare that you have an opportunity to do it in a safe way with no cars,” especially with their young son, said Stacy Callahan, 31. “To know that we can come here and ride for as long as we want without the fear of cars was just a really special and unique opportunity.”
As the two stood near the festival area, their 1-year-old son, Dylan, sat on the grass spinning the front wheel of his father’s bike.
For bikers like the Callahans, the event offered an opportunity to connect with the biking community.
“Anyone who owns a bike, or is thinking about owning a bike, this is the perfect place to come meet other riders and be part of the community,” Stacy Callahan said.
“This event is everything reflective of Chicago,” said Glenn Eden, a member of the board of directors for Choose Chicago. “Chicago is just an awesome and beautiful city that we should all take advantage of, and this kind of event allows you to take advantage of what’s amazing about our city.”
Eden has participated every year for nearly two decades. He says the event offers a unique glimpse into the city that helps bring the community together.
“The great part about Bike the Drive is [that it’s] not just for the folks that just are training for the Tour De France,” said Eden, a South Loop resident. “It’s a once-in-a-year time where we get to close down our most popular, beautiful, busiest expressway just to enjoy our beautiful city.”
Dom Powells, 39, stood by her bike with a medal given to riders who complete the 30-mile challenge draped around her neck.
Powells, a Bucktown resident, had some initial concerns about the path being too congested, but she said those concerns went away once she began riding.
“It was really thrilling to ride [Lake Shore Drive] where I normally drive that way,” Powells said. “This was much more peaceful, scenic, beautiful.”
“It’s a great opportunity for everybody to come together and see the city in a different way.”