MPC's Emily Tapia Lopez posted a gentle reminder today for commuters staring down Chicago's harsh construction season: Ditch the stress of driving and try transit instead. As a daily bus-to-El commuter, I wholeheartedly second the notion. I'd also add that spring is a great time to give transit, walking and biking to work a whirl: With the threat of snow (hopefully) behind us, you can soak up some sunshine each morning, as I do on my walk to the bus. Heck, sometimes I skip the bus all together and walk the mile to my train station for a little extra vitamin D.
If you need moral support, our friends at Active Transportation Alliance have two fun events planned in the next few months. Don your comfiest walking shoes this Friday, April 2, for Walk to Work Day. If you grew up with parents like mine (by which I mean big fans of Three Dog Night), you know that one is the loneliest number. So instead of going solo, meet up with fellow walkers at locations near downtown Chicago and celebrate the bipedal commute together! Groups will converge at Daley Plaza by 8:30 a.m. before heading to work. Here are the meet up locations, and even more information for the curious at heart.
- Roosevelt stop on Red/Green/Orange lines (meet outside Starbucks, southeast corner of State and Roosevelt at 7:50 a.m.)
- Western & Belmont (meet at the southeast corner at 6:45 a.m.)
- Union & Ogilvy stations (meet at 7:50 a.m. at southeast corner of Canal & Madison)
- Grand stop on Blue Line (meet at northeast corner of Grand/Milwaukee/Halsted at 7:50 a.m)
- Chicago stop for Brown/Purple lines (meet at Starbucks 750 N. Orleans, at 7:50 a.m.)
- Chicago stop for Red line (meet in front of McDonald’s at 7:50 a.m.)
Then, mark your calendars for the organization's annual Bike to Work Week celebration, June 12 to 18. Registration is open, and companies are encouraged to sign up and join in this friendly competition with your cohorts. Learn more at the Active Trans blog.