Chicago has more than 200 miles of bike lanes, more 13,000 bike racks, and hundreds of Divvy stations. As the weather finally starts to warm up, hopping on your bike or renting one can be a great way to get to know Chicago’s neighborhoods. Here are seven of the city’s most bike-friendly areas. 

Bridgeport

Photo courtesy of Palmisano Park Stearns Quarry

This South Side neighborhood makes the list because it has quite a few big parks that are perfect for bicyclists. Hit the trails at Palmisano Park, a 27-acre park with 1.7 miles of paths. Bridgeport is also home to Park No. 571 and McGuane Park.

The neighborhood scores major biking points for all of its bike repair shops as well. Whether you need a tune up or a whole new wheel, Bridgeport has you covered. Stop by Blue City Cycles, a full-service repair shop that does everything from flat tire repair to special orders when you need help with your ride.

Humboldt Park

Photo courtesy of Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park shares a name with the 219-acre park located at its center. With so much open space, you can rack up miles on your bike in no time, and the neighborhood’s streets also have plenty of bike lanes. It might actually be easier to use your bike as your main means of transport in this neighborhood, as Humboldt Park doesn’t have a ton of public transit options.

If you want a new bike or need repairs, stop by Ciclo Urbano. Serving Humboldt Park and West Town, this community shop has new bikes, used bikes, and enough accessories to satisfy even the most obsessed biker.  

Illinois Medical District

Photo by Shutterstock

Illinois Medical District is home to a lot of Divvy stations. Hop on a Divvy bike at Ogden Avenue and Congress Parkway, Ashland Avenue and Harrison Street, Wolcott Avenue and Polk Street, Wood Street and Taylor Street, or Hermitage Avenue and Polk Street. The neighborhood also has dedicated bike lanes along Roosevelt Road, Damen Avenue, and Taylor Street.

Illinois Medical District may not have a ton of repair shops, but it does get bikeability points for its lack of hills. It’s easy to get around this neighborhood without tiring your legs.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is bordered and crisscrossed by bike lanes. When you bike through this neighborhood, you’ll find a barrier protected bike lane, signed bike routes, and marked lanes shared by bikes and cars.

Jackson Park is a great starting point in the neighborhood for bikers. First developed for the Chicago World’s Fair, this 542-acre lakefront park features historic monuments, a Japanese garden, beaches, and lots of wide open space. Bikers can also take the Lakefront Trail north through Burnham Park for even more scenic views.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park has more than 30 Divvy stations, making it easy to hop on two wheels even if you don’t have your own bike. Plus, the neighborhood gives you easy access to the Lakefront Trail. Pedal along the waterfront while you take in the view of the lake and Chicago’s famous skyline. The Chicago Park District is even working on separating parts of the trail into separate sections for bikers and pedestrians.

If you are into high-performance bikes, head over to the neighborhood’s Cycle Smithy Bicycle Shop. This spot does everything from custom builds and vintage bikes to repairs and biking gear.

Logan Square

Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square is practically a bike super highway. Bikers zip up and down the neighborhood’s main stretch all day long. Proximity to The 606 trail is another big pro for bikers in the neighborhood, and the Bloomingdale trail, once an elevated train line, is now a convenient and gorgeous trail for walkers and bikers alike. The Ridgeway Trailhead, the westernmost point on the trail, is located on Logan Square’s southern border. Hop on there to bike the entire trail from start to finish.

Since so many people take advantage of Logan Square’s bikeability, it is no surprise that the neighborhood is flush with bike shops. Boulevard Bikes and The Bike Lane, both on Milwaukee Avenue, service the neighborhood’s repair and bike-buying needs. 

Ukrainian Village

Photo courtesy of Comrade Cycles

Ukrainian Village has a solid grid of bike lanes that takes you through the neighborhood, including a few buffer-protected lanes. Plus, a Neighborhood Greenway, a Chicago project to help create safer travel for bikers, walkers, and drivers, runs through Ukrainian Village and neighboring Wicker Park. This greenway will take you all the way from 15th Street to Cortland Street, according to Streets Blog Chicago. 

When you are in need of a new bike, repairs, or accessories, Comrade Cycles on Chicago Avenue is the place to go. This neighborhood shop serves Ukrainian Village and West Town.