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Have you picked up cycling over the past year? If you're like lots of other Chicagoans, the answer might be yes—the city was already experiencing something of a biking boom prior to the pandemic, which pumped numbers up even further (and made it incredibly difficult to purchase a new bike). But while biking along the lakeshore or on a trail might come easily enough, there's often a learning curve to weaving in and out of traffic on busy Chicago streets, especially for new riders.
Enter "Learn to Ride," the city's free educational program for teaching adults how to ride a bike. Taught by the Chicago Department of Transportation's biking and safety experts, the courses take riders ages 16 and older on a two-hour ride on a Divvy bike to help them get acquainted with cycling, includes everything from how to plan a safe route to signaling your turns. And this year, thanks to increased demand, CDOT plans to launch a new advanced level course which features a component specifically designed to help riders learn how to confidently commute on their bikes during morning rush hour, where riders will be taken on five- to seven-mile trips starting at locations across the city.
Looking to book your spot? You can sign up for regular Learn to Ride classes, which kick off on June 1, online here; otherwise, email sturner@samschwartz.com or leave a voicemail at 312-736-2534. Spots for the advanced courses will open up later this summer. Take a look at the schedule for the Learn to Ride classes below—happy cycling!
Tuesdays from 6 to 8pm at the Divvy Station at 300 N Central Park Ave at Garfield Park Conservatory
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
July 6, 13, 20, 27
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Thursdays, from 6 to 8pm, meeting at the Divvy Station located at 500 N Sacramento Blvd next to the Greater West Town Training Partnership
June 3, 10, 17, 24
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
August 5, 12, 19, 26
Saturday mornings from 10am to noon, at 1401 S Sacramento Dr at Douglass (Anna and Frederick) Park
June 5, 19
July 3, 17, 31
August 14, 28
Saturday morning from 10am to noon, meeting at the Divvy Station at 500 N Sacramento Blvd next to the Greater West Town Training Partnership
June 12, 26
July 10, 24
August 7, 21