Save the Date: Sunday, September 3, 2023
Fifth Third Bike the Drive Registration Opening Early 2023!
Save the Date: Sunday, September 3, 2023
Fifth Third Bike the Drive Registration Opening Early 2023!
Fifth Third Bike the Drive is a fundraiser for the Active Transportation Alliance
Active Trans is a non-profit advocacy organization working to improve conditions for walking, biking, and public transit throughout Chicagoland.
Over 16,000 riders attended the 20th Annual Fifth Third Bike the Drive in 2021. We are extremely grateful to our participants, volunteers, sponsors and vendors who truly made the 2021 event special. Stay tuned for further details about our 2022 ride!
ABOUT THE RIDE
Watch our Video of Fifth Third Bike the Drive
Grab your bike and reconnect with friends and family on a car-free DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Whether you’re new to biking, a seasoned veteran, or biking with kids, Fifth Third Bike the Drive is an event to remember. With sweeping views of the lake and skyline, you’ll enjoy fresh air and the wind on your face!
Ride as little or as much of the 30-mile course as you’d like and then enjoy a post-ride festival in Grant Park. No bike? No problem! Rentals are available.
Don’t miss this once-a-year event when bicycles reign on DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
FAQ
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 10 days, or have tested positive for COVID-19, please do not attend the event. We will refund your fee based on the COVID-19 health-related information you provide. The reason for this refund category is keeping everyone else safe. In this situation, Active Transportation Alliance will refund registration fees only (minus credit card transaction fees).
In all other circumstances, refunds and deferrals will NOT be issued for any reason, including participant injury, illness, and any other issues out of the control of the event, including, but not limited to cancellation due to weather/lightning.
In the event that Fifth Third Bike the Drive cannot proceed in person due to state or federal coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines, registrants will be notified of virtual event options, including the option of a refund of registration fees (minus credit card transaction fees).
In any scenario, credit card transaction fees, membership purchases and donations made during the registration process are non-refundable.
We no longer offer packets. Instead, your rider number will be emailed to you at the time of registration. Please print your rider number and affix to your bike prior to entering DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Event t-shirts, ride guides, and 30-Mile Challenge medals can be picked up at all three rest stops along the course.
With all four lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Drive closed to car traffic in both directions, there is plenty of space for participants to spread out during the ride. While two outdoor rest stops and a festival in Grant Park will be open to participants, no one is required to stop at these locations. Our top priority is the health and safety of our event participants. We are closely monitoring new developments with COVID-19 and any possible health and safety concerns associated with large public events. We are committed to taking extra precautions to provide a safe in-person event experience.
We are committed to your health and safety. To keep everyone at the event safe, we ask that you follow guidelines outlined by the Chicago and Illinois Department of Public Health Guidance.
- We are limiting person-to-person contact with print-at-home rider materials.
- To decrease the chance of congestion, riders can start at a time of their choosing at any of five entry locations along the course.
- Event t-shirts, ride guides, and 30-Mile Challenge medals will be available at the festival area and at north and south rest stops.
- Attending the event festival, which will be entirely outdoors in spacious Butler Field in Grant Park, is optional.
In addition, all participants, staff, vendors, and volunteers are asked to:
- Please stay home if you’re not feeling well or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 10 days prior to the event.
- Regardless of vaccination status, please wear a mask when you are in the festival area and whenever you can’t maintain a distance of 6 feet from others.
This guidance is subject to change based on updated health and safety guidelines from either the City of Chicago or State of Illinois. We will provide updates accordingly.
Bike the Drive will be held rain or shine. If there is a serious weather warning, volunteers will direct riders to a safe location along the route. Please check our website for the latest information leading up to the event.
For your safety, all participants should start at one of the below locations. We strongly discourage starting at any other point along the route. Starting locations: Main Festival (Grant Park), Bryn Mawr Ave., Fullerton Ave., Oakwood Blvd., and Museum of Science & Industry.
You’ll need to print your rider number (eTicket). Bring some layers as it can be chilly in the morning and get warmer into the day. Also, bring sunscreen, water and bike lights if you plan on starting at 5:30 a.m. (sunrise is at 6:21 a.m.).
Our rule is “if you pedal you pay.” All youth on their own bikes or tag-alongs must register. For those in trailers or child bike seats, registration is not required.
We apologize for the trouble! If you are trying to register on a phone, please try registering on a desktop instead. If you’re still having trouble, contact [email protected]
No. For the safety of all participants, only bikes will be allowed on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. (eBikes are allowed; please remember to fully charge your eBike and bring your charging cable just in case!)
Bikes can be rented from local Chicago outfitters. Please visit our bike & helmet rental page for more info.
We have a special parking option with Millennium Park Lakeside Garage. Stay tuned for link to purchase.
“Great event; first time riding and will not be my last. Everyone was so nice and we had a great time.”
“Absolutely great ride. Well organized. Kudos to everyone involved in planning.”
“I drove up with a group from Indianapolis and we had a great time doing this event! We loved the scenery, the people and the route.”