Health Benefits: Bicycling offers an array of health benefits for riders of all ages.  A few of these include back pain relief, strengthening of knee joints, as well as a healthier heart and cardiovascular system.

• Back Pain: Back pain is often a result of a lack of exercise or poor posture.  Over time, this lack of exercise can cause the vertebral discs in your spine to function poorly.  The resulting pain is caused because the discs can no longer support the weight and movement of your body as well as they used to.  Through biking, the discs receive critical nourishment through physical exercise.  Biking also engages the large muscles of you back to help stabilize your body while in motion.  Over time, the muscles in your back will become stronger and healthier, which will lead to a decrease in back pain and a more enjoyable ride.

• Knee Joints: Knee pain can be caused by a breakdown of cartilage in and around your kneecap.  This cartilage can be broken down by high-stress situations such as jogging or obesity.  As your cartilage is weakened and begins to breakdown, your knee starts to hurt.  However, biking can help you overcome nagging knee pain.  Because biking is a low-impact exercise, undue stress is not put on the joint.  The smooth cycling motion helps to encourage blood flow and nourishment of the knee joint, thereby strengthening the cartilage and decreasing pain.

• Heart and Cardiovascular System:  Our heart is our engine.  In order to keep it in shape we need to exercise.  When our hearts are weak, blood circulation can become slowed and our bodies don’t get the proper amount of cell nourishment, which can lead to a host of problems.  When biking, our heart begins to pump faster in order to get critical oxygen to the legs as we pedal.  Over time, the heart becomes stronger, and is able to pump more efficiently, which in turn can decrease blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease.  Riding your bike for an hour can burn more than 250 calories—riding your car burns none.

For more information on bike routes in the Chicagoland area, please visit:  http://www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/bikemap/keymap.html.

soles and spokes
The Soles and Spokes Plan will be the first pedestrian and bicycle plan for northeastern Illinois. The plan will recommend policies and projects to improve the safety, convenience and frequency of walking and cycling throughout the region.

bicycle and pedestrian issues
Walking and biking transportation information for northeastern Illinois.

league of illinois bicyclists
Gas prices got you thinking about commuting by bicycle, but don't know where to turn for advice and tips? The League of Illinois Bicyclists can help.

chicagoland bicycle federation
Complete at least part of your trip to work using your bicycle.

bicycles on metra
Bicycles are allowed during weekday off-peak hours and on weekends with exceptions.  Click "Bicycles on Metra" for complete rules, regulations and restrictions.

bicycles on cta
Bicycles are permitted on trains every weekday except from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, bicycles are allowed on trains all day. Bicycles are permitted on buses equipped with attached front exterior bicycle racks. Bicycles can be placed on the racks during normal hours of operation for each route.

bicycles on pace
Pace operates more than 240 bus routes throughout Chicago’s suburbs, making connections to hundreds of employment sites, shopping centers, recreational areas and bicycle paths.

rollerblading
Complete at least part of your trip to work using rollerblades.

illinois bike maps
Presented by the State of Illinois.