Chicago cyclists joined city leaders this week to celebrate a milestone in the effort to make bike-riding safer.
Mayor Brandon Johnson joined in the spirit of the event, arriving on a Divvy bike with a group of cyclists for the announcement at Erie and Milwaukee that city crews have completed more than 100 miles of new protected bike lanes in the city.
"We are on track to have more than 500 miles in total bikeways throughout the city of Chicago," said the mayor, noting that he also enjoys riding around Austin and Garfield Park for exercise and mental health.
Wicker Park alderman Daniel LaSpata, who's also the head of the City Council Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee and an avid cyclist himself, said the city's investment in protected bike lanes and paths is making roads safer for everyone.
"Cycling is up over 300% in the city of Chicago," said LaSpata (1st Ward), "and cycling fatalities are down 80%."
Mayor Johnson also noted the safety improvements: "A protected bike lane makes a difference between a close call and a tragedy."
And in a twist familiar to anyone who commutes by bike in the city ... it started to rain halfway through the announcement.