Bike the Drive 2026
Bike the Drive's 25th anniversary closes DuSable Lake Shore Drive for 30 car-free miles on September 6. One of Chicago's biggest annual cycling events.
The vibe
30 miles of car-free Lake Shore Drive
For the 25th time, all four lanes of DuSable Lake Shore Drive close to cars on a September morning and open to 30,000+ cyclists. Bike the Drive is Chicago’s most iconic cycling event — 30 miles of uninterrupted Lake Shore Drive from the Far South Side to Bryn Mawr, with the city skyline rising to the west and Lake Michigan to the east. There’s nothing else like it in Chicago cycling.
The 2026 edition moves to September 6th, and the 25th anniversary marks a milestone for an event that has become a genuine Chicago institution. Registration is through bikethedrive.org with eTickets this year — print your rider number to attach to your bike and helmet before race day. The Active Transportation Alliance uses proceeds to fund cycling advocacy, education, and community programs across the city.
The sunrise start at 6:20 AM is part of the event’s appeal — catching Lake Shore Drive at dawn before the city fully wakes up is something Chicago cyclists talk about year after year. Bring lights for the opening miles and plan your start position based on pace (faster groups toward the front). Post-ride festivities and rest stops are spread across the course. This is a ride that sells out, so register early.