Bike The Drive benefits the work of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving bicycling in Chicagoland.
GENERAL
REGISTRATION
THE RIDE
Still Have Questions?
If your question isn't answered on the website, please send us an e-mail.
Last year was great! What's new this year?
The Bank of America Bike the Drive is a one-of-a-kind, non-competitive bike ride along a car-free Lake Shore Drive. The route is too fantastic to change! The event will once again encompass the entire length of Lake Shore Drive between Hollywood Avenue to the north and 57th Street to the south.
How can I volunteer for the Bank of America Bike the Drive?
The Bank of America Bike the Drive needs volunteers in many capacities—before, during, and after the ride. From data entry, to working as a course marshal, to helping with teardown, your skills can help the event be the best it can be. Don't worry—we're really nice and we'll help you find the most rewarding use for your skills and limited time. Visit the volunteer page of our site, or contact Christine Schwartzkopff at (312) 427-3325, ext. 223.
I'm a Chicagoland Bicycle Federation member. Do I get anything special?
Yes! You get a $5 discount when you sign up. We’d love to meet you so stop by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation tent for special goodies, information on recent successes and plans for the coming year. Thanks for your continued support! If you're not a member and you'd like to join, there's a special opportunity on the Bank of America Bike the Drive registration form.
Is there any chance that Metra will allow Bikes on trains for Bank of America Bike the Drive?
While bikes can be taken on Metra, the Metra train schedule does not run early enough to bring in riders in time for the event’s early morning start. Furthermore, the limited number of riders allowed per car would allow for only a handful of riders to take advantage of the service.
Bikes ride for free on CTA with paying customers. For more information please visit www.transitchicago.com, call 1-888-YOUR-CTA, or visit the travel directions page on this site.
I’ve registered, but I haven’t received information about Bank of America Bike the Drive.
Sometimes the spam blocker on your e-mail system blocks our messages. Check your spam mailbox for the Bank of America Bike the Drive communications before you empty it and add “donotreply@biketraffic.org” to your list of safe senders. We'll mail a brochure or postcard to all Chicagoland Bicycle Federation members and recent Bank of America Bike the Drive registrants in March.
Where does my $40 fee go?
All proceeds support the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's efforts to make the region more bicycle-friendly. In fact, 86 cents out of every dollar raised goes directly back into bicycling advocacy efforts. We're a 501(c)3 non-profit that has been making bicycling better in Chicagoland for more than 20 years. Please visit www.biketraffic.org to learn more about our mission and work
Your fee also pays for the event’s cost. Bank of America Bike the Drive requires funds for food; route closures to make the event safe and fun; Chicago Police and barricades to stop cars from injuring riders; porta-potties so you can rest and take care of business; tents and tables for the festival; and countless other items. Your fee offsets these costs.
How and when can I register?
See our sign-up page for information on registering for the Bank of America Bike the Drive.
I'm having trouble signing up online.
If you have trouble signing up online, please contact SignMeUp.com directly at support@signmeup.com or at (312) 994-2432.
How do I know my registration was received?
When you complete your online sign-up a confirmation screen will appear. You can print this for your records. Almost immediately, you will also receive an e-mail receipt from SignMeUp.com, the website we use for event registration. Both of these will offer proof that your online registration was processed. The charge on your credit card will appear as "signmeup.com*BIKEDRIVE". You will also see a small charge for the online processing fee.
Those who register by mail or fax will either receive a confirmation e-mail (if an e-mail address is provided) or a postcard confirmation.
I can't sign up online! Help!
Check your local bike shop for a Bank of America Bike the Drive brochure or call (312) 427-3325 — and we'll mail one to you.
I want to bring my child with me. Do I have to pay for them? What about riding a tandem—do I have to pay for two people?
If you pedal, you pay. Up to four children ages 17 and under may ride with a paid adult for $10 each. As a reminder, all paid registrants, including children, are required to wear their rider number to gain access to Lake Shore Drive and the rest stops.
Do kids get a T-shirt?
New for 2008, T-shirts will be included with child registrations. All adult sizes are available and we will also offer a youth T-shirt size 10-12.
Can I have a refund?
Registration for Bank of American Bike the Drive is non-refundable. All proceeds from the event support out work to make Chicagoland better for bicyclists. Thank you for your support!
How do I get my ride packet?
If you signed up for the ride before May 14 and haven't’ received your packet in the mail, please
please bring your registration confirmation to our packet pick-ups or the event (tent 14 on our festival map).
My packet hasn’t arrived in the mail. What should I do?
If you signed up for the ride before May 14 and haven't’ received your packet in the mail, please
please bring your registration confirmation to our packet pick-ups or the event (tent 14 on our festival map).
I would like to ride in Tour de Cure. Is the Bank of America Bike the Drive a Tour de Cure event?
Yes! If you would like to participate in the Bank of America Bike the Drive as a Tour de Cure rider, please register on Tour de Cure's website.
I'm not sure I can ride 15 or 30 miles, how can I get ready?
We can help you out, please click here to access information about getting ready to ride and training.
Where does the ride start?
The Bank of America Bike the Drive starts at the intersection of Columbus and Jackson drives in Grant Park. Please click here for more specific directions.
What if it rains?
The Bank of America Bike the Drive will be held rain or shine. If there is a serious weather warning, please call (312) 427-3325, ext. 251, the Bike the Drive hotline, for further information.
Refunds are not available. Your investment in this event directly supports our work to make Chicagoland a better place for bicyclists. Thanks for your support!
When should I arrive? What if I get to the Bank of America Bike the Drive late?
Visit our Event Info page for suggested guidelines on when you need to start your ride. We encourage you to start early—sunrise is at about 5:21 a.m. on May 25. Take advantage of a beautiful morning on the lakefront! Allow adequate time to park your car or travel by public transportation to the start. If you choose to pick up your packet that morning allow time to wait in line. We strongly recommend that you pick up your packet (link to packet pickup information) ahead of time to avoid delays.
The event must obey the schedule set by the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Chicago Police. Participants won’t be allowed to start after 9 a.m. and car traffic will be restored to Lake Shore Drive by 10:30 a.m.
Can I start the ride from Bryn Mawr or 57th Street, instead of coming downtown? Can I start my ride at 5:00 a.m.?
For your safety, all participants must start and finish at Columbus and Jackson drives. Bank of America Bike the Drive does not begin until 5:30 a.m. (upon police approval. Our rules and strict time cut-offs are in place to facilitate the safe closing and reopening of Lake Shore Drive. Please do not endanger yourself and others—enjoy the full route by meeting us in Grant Park at the official start time.
Visit our Event Info page for more information.
Do I have to go back to the Bank of America Bike the Drive Post-Ride Festival in Grant Park if I live on the north or south side and want to go straight home?
You don't have to go to the Bank of America Bike the Drive post-ride festival, but that is where the fun is! We'll have exhibitors, demos, entertainment, and food. Take the time to hang out with your friends and family in Grant Park.
What if I don't think I can make the time cut-offs?
Start early to avoid that problem. There are several options available to you if you don't make the time cut-offs. You will either be turned around to head back to Grant Park, re-routed to the Lakefront Path, or receive a ride in a SAG vehicle. We'll also have turn-around routes available. Remember, the 15-mile option is available if you don't want to ride 30 miles. Please watch out for cars around Lake Shore Drive—the roads that cross under Lake Shore Drive will be open to car traffic.
Why do I need my rider number and helmet number?
Your rider numbers will help you access photos of your ride. Our photographers will be out on the course, at the rest stops and festival …be sure to wave.
What sort of emergency medical assistance will be available at the Bank of America Bike the Drive?
We have three ambulances along the route, one at Columbus/Jackson, one at the South Rest Stop (Museum of Science and Industry) and one at the North Rest Stop (Bryn Mawr/Lakeshore Drive). We also have two bicycle paramedics who ride the route carrying equipment equivalent to that found in the ambulances.
As an extra precaution, we also have approximately 40 ride marshals who ride the course and act as the eyes and ears of the event. In case of an emergency, they have instant radio contact with the ambulances, SAG vehicles and ride marshal manager.
What do I need to bring the day of the ride?
See our Event Info page.
Are there any safety concerns I should be aware of?
See our Event Info page.
Where can I park downtown?
See our Directions & Parking page.
Where can volunteers park?
There is no on-site parking provided for any participants, volunteers, sponsors/vendors, or staff. See our Directions & Parking page for more information.
Can I go on the Bank of America Bike the Drive with inline skates?
No. Inline skates are not allowed on Bank of America Bike the Drive for safety reasons.
What if I don't have a bike?
Click here to find out more about renting a bike and a helmet for the Bank of America Bike the Drive.
The Bank of America Bike the Drive would not be possible without the support of hundreds of volunteers, the Mayor's Office of Special Events, and the following organizations:
Chicagoland Bicycle Federation
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