The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is again teaming up with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), the exclusive system sponsor of the Divvy bike share program, to offer free bicycle riding classes for adults this summer. Classes start June 11 and will be held every other Monday, Thursday, and Saturday in Chicago’s south, west, and near north areas.

“Whether you have never ridden a bike before or it’s been a few years or couple of decades since you last pedaled a two-wheeler, this is a great opportunity for adults to learn how to bike for the first time or brush up on their skills,” said Sean Wiedel, CDOT Assistant Commissioner. “Under the leadership of Mayor Emanuel, Chicago has been working hard to connect more neighborhoods by building new and better bike lanes, and expanding the Divvy bike sharing network into the South and West Sides. Free adult riding classes are a natural fit with the City’s efforts to get more people on bikes.”

The classes are taught by the City’s team of Bicycling Ambassadors and are designed to encourage adults who have never ridden a bike or not ridden bikes recently to feel comfortable riding a bike on the city’s streets.

Since 2011, Chicago has installed 115 miles of barrier and buffer protected bicycle lanes and has 300 miles of on-street bikeways and off-street trails.

Divvy, which has played a key role in earning Chicago the title of Bicycling Magazine’s Best City for Biking in America in 2016, completed a third expansion in 2017. Divvy now has more than 580 stations and 5,800 bikes available. Stations within Chicago’s city limits serve nearly two-thirds of the city’s population and cover more than 100 square miles.

Participants in the two-hour long bike-riding classes will receive a free helmet, courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield. The classes are also open to children if space is available, however, children under 16 are required to provide their own bike, as Divvy does not allow riders under 16. Riders under 5’4” may also feel more comfortable on a smaller bike if they can bring one.

From June 11 - August 25, the classes will alternate between three locations: the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N Sacramento; Kennedy King College, 710 W. 65^th St; and Seward Park, 375 W. Elm Street. The schedule and details are posted at www.chicagocompletestreets.org.

Classes will be held on the following dates. Please call 312.744.8147 to RSVP or with any questions.

Chicago Center for Green Technology
445 North Sacramento Avenue
Saturdays, from 10 am - 12 pm and 1 - 3pm

• June 16
• June 30
• July 14
• July 28
• August 11
• August 25

Kennedy King College 710 West 65^th Street
Mondays, from 6 - 8 pm

• June 11
• June 25
• July 9
• July 23
• August 6
• August 20

Seward Park
375 W. Elm Street
Thursdays, from 6 - 8 pm

• June 14
• June 28
• July 12
• July 26
• August 9
• August 23

You must RSVP to attend a class so we can be sure that we have enough instructors available. To RSVP any time before the class, email lauren@chicagocompletestreets.org or call  312.744.8147.

For more information, see the FAQ at: - Bicycling Ambassadors Learn To Ride 2018

###

About Divvy

Divvy is Chicagoland’s bike share system, giving Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park residents and visitors access to nearly 6,000 bikes at 580 stations across the region. Divvy is North America’s largest bike share system based on service area, thanks in part to the support and sponsorship of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Divvy riders recently surpassed more than 10 million trips taken since the system’s launch in 2013. For more information and a map of station locations, visit DivvyBikes.com.