LexRides

[Lou]

Does anyone know anything about bike safety in Chicago? I'll be there this weekend, and I'm interested in riding rather than driving or using PT. I'm curious how safe it is to leave a bike locked up in the city. Anybody got insight to offer?

[brokebike]

I've posted a link to this before on here, because I think it's such a great resource. Chicago is an awesome city to bike in... you've got the Lakefront Path, and the North Shore Channel trail that goes all the way up to Evanston.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/bikemap/keymap.html

Chicago drivers seem to be pretty aware that they have to navigate around lots of bikes on the street, and that always helps to make it a better experience too.

As with any city, just make sure you've got a quality lock, whether it's a good u-lock, or a solid chain. If you need anything heavy-duty that you'd like to borrow, just let me know... I have a couple of different locks I can spare for your trip.
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[willard]

I lived/rode there for a few months last year. You will want a lock setup that will also protect your wheels, because there are stripped frames all over the city.

If you are in the loop or the northern part of the city, there are lots of great streets to ride on. There are a ton of "shared use" lanes that I actually prefer over bike lanes.

I don't recommend riding anywhere in the Southside (south of Humboldt) because there are deep potholes everywhere and lots of people who will jump you and steal your bike. If you do ride through there, stay on streets with cameras and run every red light so that you aren't a target for a bike-jacking.

If you are looking for people to ride with, just ride around a neighborhood like Lincoln Park and find a bar with lots of bikes outside. Everybody is pretty friendly, but they will sneer at you if you have a brake on a fixed gear.

The critical mass that starts in Daley Plaza is really fun, too.

[Lou]

[Lou]