If you’re thinking about driving down Ridge Avenue Sunday morning, you’d best be on a bicycle. The road will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Howard to Church streets between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the annual Bike the Ridge event.
The city warns that the event is limited to those on non-motorized bicycles only. That means no motor bikes or even skateboards.
This is a big deal for cyclists, as bikes are not permitted on Ridge at any other time.
Anyone may enter, but all riders, particularly those under the age of 18, should remember to wear their helmets.
Bike the Ridge
My favorite park and recreation program in Evanson. A great community event. Keep an eye open for Ann Rainey in her four-wheel bike kissing babies and shaking hands Sad I cannot make it this year.
Overtime
Funny how nobdy complains about the overtime spent to lock down Ridge to ride back and forth. Why not bike the bike path. No extra resources needed for that one.
Is it really that expensive?
Is there really that much in overtime spent? Or are you just looking for something to complain about and having a hard time finding it because there were no shootings this weekend?
If Chicago can shut down Lake Shore Drive for cyclists when there's a parallel bike path for nearly the whole stretch, I'm thinking it's pretty cheap for Evanston to allow taxpayers to ride bikes on Ridge for a few hours on Sunday morning. It's family-friendly and involves being physically active.
I think you are just feeling negative overall, as this is clearly a harmless community event.
Why not use Sheridan Road?
Wouldn't shutting down Sheridan Road for the bikers once a year be more like Chicago's shutting down Lake Shore Drive? Shutting down Ridge is blocking many residents into their streets east and west of Ridge. In Chicago, they block no residents into their streets by shutting down the Drive.. Using Sheridan Road in Evanston would inconvenience far fewer residents.