End of Summer Rental Bike Sale! All 2009 Bikes Must Go! Up to 50% OFF! Hundreds of bikes to choose from, all in great condition!

The 2009 bike sale price list is posted on the website http://bikechicago.com/bikesale/. $50 non-refundable deposits will be accepted beginning on August 24th. Please call 312-729-1000 ext. 0 to make a deposit.

Bike pickup dates are September 15 to October 31. To purchase a rental bike please come to one of the following locations:

Millennium Park Bike Station: 239 E. Randolph, 9am-7pm, 7 days per week
Tel: (312) 729-1000 ext. 0

Navy Pier: 600 E. Grand Avenue, 9am-7pm, 7 days per week
Tel: (312) 595-9600

North Avenue Beach: 9am-7pm, 7 days per week
(773) 327-2706

Chicagoans can enjoy fantastic waterfront walking and biking on our city's 18.5-mile path along the shores of Lake Michigan, but have you ever wondered what it would be like if you didn't stop and just kept going? Writer Loreen Niewenhuis from Battle Creek, Mich., is finding out on a 1,000-mile walk around the perimeter of Lake Michigan, which she plans to write a book about. She stepped off from Navy Pier on March 16 and is walking counter-clockwise around the lake. The most recent leg of her trip got her as far as Manitowoc, Wis. You can read about her journey on her blog at http://laketrek.blogspot.com. Loreen is inviting people to join her on the Chicago lakefront on September 26, 2009, for the last 10 miles of her trek -- see the bottom of this post for details.

Why did you decide to do a 1,000-mile walk around Lake Michigan?

Come enjoy the charm, beauty and architectural character of the near western suburbs of Chicago. The Oak Park Cycle Club and the Oak Park Area Convention & Visitors Bureau are pleased to announce that Wright Ride 2009 will take place on Sunday, August 16, 2009.

Why Wright?
The Wright Ride is named for one of Oak Park's most famous citizens, Frank Lloyd Wright, who spent the first 20 years of his 70 year career here, building numerous homes that still stand in the community, including his own. He lived and worked in the area between 1889 and 1909. His earliest work can be found here, including the Winslow House in neighboring River Forest. Oak Park boasts many examples of the very first Prairie Style houses, as well as Wright's world-renowned Unity Temple, which was built between 1905-1908.

The Metropolitan Planning Council has been on the hunt this summer for the best public place in Chicagoland. They've compiled over 50 photos and videos of people’s favorite public places and now they want you to vote for the best at http://www.placemakingchicago.com/places (deadline for voting is Sept. 14).

They've also created a handy Google Map to make it easier for you to explore interesting places to visit in the region, many of which are accessible by foot, bike or transit. Google offers directions by public transit for CTA and Metra to help you find your way.

Do you dream of a future where bikes outnumber cars on Chicago streets and drive-throughs are displaced by new train stations? Well the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) needs the public's help to create Chicago's 2040 regional plan, and they want to know about your vision for the future. Be sure to have your say in the direction of our region! You have through early September to weigh in using the Invent the Future web tools at www.goto2040.org. The site also has details about other opportunities to participate through community meetings and kiosks.

I've invented my own 2040 scenario. You should too, and vote for your favorite of the three scenarios CMAP has presented.