Cycling in Chicago

Adventure enthusiasts and those looking for a carbon friendly way to explore Chicago's 26 miles of lakefront might want to consider renting a bike while visiting the Windy City. Following are three popular bike rental options.

Bobby's Bike specializes in offering tours ranging from strenuous to very relaxed. These tours can accommodate approximately 20 to 25 cyclists are offered March through November. One can choose from a range of tours ranging from Chicago's lakefront neighborhoods to Hyde Park, site of President Obama's current Chicago home. While all their regular tours are conducted in English, they can make arrangements for private group tours in languages such as Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Italian, Russian, and Portuguese. After the tour, one can rent the bike for the rest of the day at a cost of 10.00.

They offers deluxe cruisers for rentals by the half-day, full day, overnight and weekly. Rentals start at $18.00 for a half day (4 hours or less) and $27 for a full day. One can select from a range of bikes for touring or rental including comforts, hybrids, cruisers, tandems and child bikes. Each bike is furnished with a helmet, bike lock, map and a pouch in the front for storing items included in the cost of the tour or rental. Backpacks, strollers and larger items can be stored at the shop for the duration of the tour or rental. Children 3 and under will not be charged a full child price, but there is a charge of $5 towards reserving special equipment such as child seats, trailers, tag-a-longs. Be sure to indicate when making reservations if any special equipment is needed and how many infants/young children are part of the group.

Bobby's Bike is located at 465 N. McClurg Court between Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier on the downtown right of the 18-mile lakefront path. They are open March 1^st to May 21^st from 9am-6pm, May 22^nd to September 7^th from 8:30am-7pm and September 8^th to November 29^th from 9am-7pm.

Another option for those looking for shorter-term bike rentals is Bike and Roll Chicago. With their 10 locations scattered around the lakefront, one can easily take a break by renting a bike starting at $10 for an hour-long ride around the lake. Rentals for half day start at $30.00 with full-day rentals starting at $35.00. A helmet, bike lock, map and a pouch is included with each bike. Also, they offer rentals of Segways and Surry Cycles, as well as a range of bike tours.

Also, check out Chicago B-cycle, the first bike sharing system located in Chicago. Throughout the Chicago lakefront and loop, they've installed self-service bike rental stations (B-stations). Memberships are available for 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day levels and can be purchased online with a credit card. By joining Chicago B-cycle, members can pick up a bike at any B-station and then drop it off at any B-station. Members are not charged for the first hour of each ride with reasonable rates for longer trips. Adjustable seat posts, fenders, skirt guards and chain guards help make these bikes accessible for most adult sizes while keeping one's work clothes clean. Those who wish to experience B-cyle can pick up temporary pass at any B-station to check this program out before deciding if becoming a member is right for their needs.