Cycling Group Encourages Chicagoans To Join 'Bike To Work Week'
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Cycling enthusiasts are encouraging others to pedal their way to work during this "Bike to Work Week" in Chicago.
WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports the Active Transportation Alliance – which organizes the annual Bike the Drive event and other events to promote cycling – set up a pit stop for bicyclists on Monday at Millennium Park.
The group handed out energy bars and maps of bike routes and bicycle lanes in the Chicago area.
They were preaching to the choir as far as Sloan Danenhower is concerned. He rides his bike every day along the lakefront, to get to his sales job at Morningstar in the Loop.
The only time he doesn't bike is during the winter, although this year – with its mild weather – was an exception.
"I actually rode on my birthday, which was January 11, because it was like 40 degrees. My friends are trying to get me to bundle up and do it all winter long," he said.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports
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Dan Persky, policy and planning director for the Active Transportation Alliance, said biking to work is becoming more popular.
"In the last three years or so, we've seen almost a doubling in the number of people who ride their bikes to work every day," he said.
Danenhower said he actually gets to work more rested and relaxed.
"It's a great way to get some exercise, and you just get a few minutes of solitude, and get to see the sun come up over the lake, which is always a great meditative experience, and just a little bit of meditative time in a lot of ways," Danenhower said.
He said he doesn't care what the cost of gas is.
"No, I don't. I saw the other day it was $4.10 and I couldn't believe it," he said.
Bike to Work Week ends Friday morning, with a bike rally at Daley Plaza.
