I rode in Chicago one winter about 15 years ago and I had only one word for it BLEAK! Whew, it was exhilarating but the scariest riding I have ever done. I even ended up on the freeway. Talk about deer in headlights! Holy crap! It was loud and windy and scary! I just pedaled hard and got off as quickly as I could. Glad to be alive! The only people brave enough to cycle in such a bike UNFRIENDLY place were friendly bike messengers (little rays of sunshine in such a dark place)! Coming as a pampered and well paid courier from Calgary, I have total respect for the hardworking and underpaid people that I met.
That was 15 years ago. Today… The mayor announced that Chicago is the fastest growing bike friendly city in the USA. It also attracts lots of start up businesses. They are quickly becoming world leaders. Stuck in Toronto where our leaders can not see how important it i s for a city to be bike friendly, I am very envious of Chicago. Maybe I’ll take a trip down there and go for another winter ride! Congratulation people of Chicago! Here is the link
