Free Adult Biking Classes In Chicago

This is part one of a series covering some of the resources and opportunities that are available to those living in Chicago.

This past week I took advantage of some of the programs that the city of Chicago offers to learn to ride a bike. The trainers were super nice and really good at suggesting different methods until you found one that worked. You also were given plenty of time to go at your own pace. While I am not sure if I shall put in the effort to continue I might depending on several other factors.

I got a nice free helmet to keep for participating and as an added bonus taking one of the free bicycle riding classes means I have the possibility of getting a bike through the city. 

(There are a limited amount so I'm not holding my breath but it would be cool to have a bike and make continuing to practice bike riding easier since the location i went to learn was a little over an hour and a half bus ride so not super covenant )

Here is the info on the classes:

The SAFE Ambassadors’ free bicycle-riding classes are two hours long and designed for Chicago residents age 16 or older. Each two-hour class allows pre-registered Chicagoans to learn, based on their experience level, the skills they need to be comfortable riding a bike. This year the SAFE Ambassadors will offer classes in both English and Spanish to better meet the needs of city residents and serve more people.

Beginner Learn to Ride is for those who don’t know how to ride a bike yet, as well as people who learned long ago and would benefit from a refresher course. Classes are taught on a car-free course.

Skill-Builder Learn to Ride is for people who have completed the beginner course and those who already have basic riding experience. These lessons will support development of skills such as signaling, turning and interacting with other people biking or walking. The Skill-Builder class will also provide instruction to help riders interested in preparing to bike on city streets. This class will also be conducted on a car-free course.

Road Ride is the advanced class in which SAFE Ambassadors will ride with students on city streets to help them experience everyday situations and build confidence. Topics covered include how to plan routes to your destination, the different types of bike lanes, and how to position yourself on the street in various traffic situations. The course is designed to help Chicagoans expand their understanding of how to travel by bike all around the city.

Here is the info on getting a free bike

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has set an ambitious vision to make cycling a safe and affordable option for more Chicagoans. In addition to connecting bike networks and increasing the number of low stress and protected bike lane miles in the city, 

CDOT will facilitate more residents cycling through a bike distribution program.CDOT will distribute 5,000 bicycles, as well as safety and maintenance equipment, over the course of 4 years to age and income eligible residents. 

For the first year of the program, the bikes will be distributed to participants in 2022 CDOT mobility programming (Green Corps, Learn to Ride, and Open Boulevard Events), and first come first serve for residents that qualify. Depending on demand, the City may implement a lottery for years 2-4 of the program for residents that qualify. Online and paper applications will be accepted July 18th- August 4th. There will be no preference between paper and online applications (they will be ordered by the date submitted or postmarked). 

For qualifying residents, bikes will begin to be distributed in August 2022, and will continue to be distributed each Spring/Summer of the following four years until 5,000 bikes are distributed.

Eligibility

Chicago Residents 14 and older (those under 18 will need a Guardian’s signature on a liability waiver);

AND 

Have a household income at or below 100% of the Area Median Income for Chicago (see chart);

AND

Do not already own a bicycle;

AND

Residents that face higher mobility hardship (see map); OR Participants in CDOT 2022 mobility programming (Green Corps, Learn to Ride and Open Boulevard Events)