Bike The Drive

Schedule

1. Sept. 6 — Ride Start Window: Official event information lists 6:30 a.m. start time, with Butler Field in Grant Park as the main location.
2. Sept. 6 — Post-Ride Festival: Butler Field is the finish-hub/festival area; do not rush away if you want the full event feeling.
3. Aug. 16 / Aug. 30 — Group Deadlines: Group leaders must register by Aug. 16; group member approval deadline is Aug. 30.

What to expect

The 25th annual ride down a car-free DuSable Lake Shore Drive — up to 30 miles of open lakefront with the skyline on one side and the lake on the other, ending in a festival at Butler Field in Grant Park. Riders roll out at 6:30am (start any time until 10:30am; aim for before 8am), and the road reopens to cars between 11:30am and noon. It's a fundraiser for the Active Transportation Alliance.

Tickets

Registration required. Pricing is dynamic and increases by category/timing; the official registration page lists group registration deadlines, including Group Leader registration by Sunday, August 16, 2026 and member approval by Sunday, August 30, 2026. Riders must sign waivers; unwaivered riders are not event participants.

Transit

Five ride entry points: the Grant Park main festival, Bryn Mawr, Fullerton, Oakwood, and the Museum of Science & Industry. Take CTA or Metra to the lakefront and ride in — driving and parking near the closures on a Sunday morning is a headache. Day-of emergency hotline: 312-216-0464.

Bag policy

Helmets are required. Keep slower riders to the right, faster to the left. Only Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes are allowed (25 mph limit), and only bikes on the Drive. Three rest stops — Bryn Mawr, the Museum of Science & Industry, and Butler Field — have restrooms, water, and snacks.

Family-friendly

Great with the right setup. Kids on their own bikes or tag-alongs need to register ('if you pedal, you pay'), but children in trailers or child seats ride free. The full 30 miles is a lot for little legs — plenty of riders do a shorter out-and-back.

Local tips

1. Register early. This is the one event where procrastination can cost real money and group access.
2. Start early even if you are casual. The road reopens on a schedule, and lagging riders can be redirected off the route.
3. Bring a spare tube, pump/CO2, lights, and patience. The ride is friendly, but 30 miles still exposes neglected bikes.
4. Child trailers and family riders are common, but make sure every required waiver and registration is handled before event morning.
5. The post-ride Butler Field festival is part of the payoff: linger for the civic-summer feeling after the Drive reopens.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register for Bike the Drive?

Yes. Riders must register and sign required waivers. People without signed waivers are not event participants.

When is Bike the Drive 2026?

Sunday, September 6, 2026. Official event information lists a 6:30 a.m. start.

Where is the main hub?

Butler Field in Grant Park, 235 S Columbus Dr.

What is the group registration deadline?

The official registration page lists Sunday, August 16, 2026 for group leaders to register and Sunday, August 30 for group leaders to approve members.