You and Your Bike

The Bike to Work Challenge is the best way to celebrate bike commuting in Chicagoland! Track your trips June 15th – 29th, but start getting prepared now. Here are a few easy ways to get your bike and yourself ready to ride:

You

  • Always wear a properly fitted helmet! Click here to see how it should look.
  • An ankle strap – available at any bike shop – will prevent your pants from getting greasy and getting caught in the chain.
  • On hot days, wear technical fabrics that breathe easier and keep you cool – find more practical biking attire tips by clicking here.
  • CTA, Pace, and Metra all allow bikes! Click here to learn how to take your bike on the CTA and here to learn how to take your bike on Metra.

Your bike

  • Don’t be in the dark when riding at night. Use lights – it’s the law. Click here to see why it's so important.
  • Flat tires suck – carry a spare tube, mini pump, and patch kit with you, just in case.
  • Fenders can help keep water and mud off your clothes and bike.
  • Use a quality lock. Bike racks or old parking meters are always your best bet for locking up.
  • Know your ABCs? Click here for an easy way to be sure your bike is safe to ride.

In Your Bag   

For your ride: wear an ankle strap if you have pants on and make sure you have your lock key.

In you bag: ID, debit and/or credit card, lock, cell phone with emergency contacts labeled as" ICE," work clothes or an extra outfit, an extra jacket, cell phone charger, spare tube, mini pump, patch kit, waterbottle, transit fare or Ventra card.

Check out this article from our friends at Chainlink about everything you should have with you and/or on your bike to be a commuter pro!