Jessica, Division St., Chicago, IL

Jessica rides a Schwinn Sport 10-speed converted into a single speed with glider seat and handle-bars.

Cycling Tip from Jessica: stick to bike-friendly streets and wear a helmet (even though I am not wearing one here)

Emily, Wood St. and Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL

Emily rides a Schwinn Le Tour frame with a teal powder coat.

Cycling tip from Emily:  Be courteous and stop at stop lights- gaining respect from drivers is the fastest way to make things safer on the roads.  

**Like Emily's bag?  I know I do!  She designs locally made, fashionable, and functional bike bags and accessories.  Check it out at  www.pocampo.com

Kellie, Lakeview, Chicago, IL

Kelly rides an Origin 8 single speed for her casual rides around the city.

Cycling Tip from Kelly:  Braiding my hair when its fresh from the shower makes it fit nicely under my helmet. As the day passes, my hair dries and I have an awesome wave when i undo the braid. Come time to put the helmet on again, braid it up. It keeps it knot-free and provides body for when off the bike.

Kristie, Smith Park, Chicago, IL

Kristie rides a 1986 Cannondale ST400, purchased from Working Bikes.  She loves it's red color!

Cycling Tip from Kristie:  Make sure you have lights on your bike for riding at night, especially now that the daylight hours are so short.

Rachel, Wabash and Harrison, Chicago, IL

Rachel rides a beat-up Free Spirit bike named Chadwick.

Biking tip from Rachel: The CTA will let you take your bike on the L!  It's great if you're going further than you want to bike, you can take the L partway.

Kellie, N Broadway, Uptown, Chicago, IL

Kellie rides a Jamis Coda Sport hybrid road bike, covered in stickers.

Cycling tip from Kellie:  Be in tune with the oncoming season, always keep a plastic bag handy to keep your seat dry in rain or snow.  This has the added benefit of making your bike look junky, hopefully making it less attractive to evil, evil bike thieves!!!

Caroline, Green St., Chicago, IL

Caroline rides a vintage Schwinn she calls "Sportin' Life" after the slick pimp in Porgy and Bess

Cycling Tip from Caroline:  First get a helmet, second get a basket (especially if you carry a purse) and third, get a warm jacket.  You can ride much farther into the cold weather than you might imagine.

Alexis, Kinzie at the Chicago River, Chicago, IL

Alexis' hat is by Kindred Honor, Her Jacket is Nau, and her helmet is made by Bern.

Alexis rides a track model Soma Rush with Velocity rims built up by Marcus at Yojimbo's Garage.  The five layer powder coating was painstakingly painted by UV Metal Arts in Bridgeport.

Cycling Tip from Alexis: Learn to fix a flat. There is something incredibly empowering about being able to repair the vehicle you rely on, realizing that it's something you are completely capable of. I never cease to get that feeling of accomplishment, being closer to my bicycle, and stronger as a person. 

Alexis is the Founder and Producer of  TyK [Thought You Knew] a bicycle chick pinup calendar, the proceeds from which go to support The Chicago Women's Health Center [CWHC].  Check out their Gala Launch Party this Friday at The COOP from 5-10pm at 845 W Fulton Market, Chicago.

Julie H., Congress and State, Chicago, IL

Julie Rides a Redline Conquest 24 road bike

Cycling Tip: Biking can be for recreation and transportation.  It means something different for each person who gets on the saddle, so it's easy to make it work for you.

Patty, Grace St., Chicago, IL

Patty Rides a Ross Euro Tour from the 1970's

Cycling Tip from Patty: Just do it. I got my first bike when I was 23 in Chicago. I was terrified to ride on the street at first, but I just kept riding and eventually felt comfortable and now I ride everywhere.

Patty's 1970's Ross belonged to her mom that passed away in 1988.  She said "It's a cool way to connect with my mom when I ride it around."

Rebecca, N Clark, Chicago, IL

Rebecca from Active Trans rides a cotton candy blue 2010 Jamis Satellite road bike from Roscoe Village Bikes.

Winter Cycling Tip from Rebecca: Leg warmers will change your life (again - if you are a child of the 80s)

Martha of Bike Fancy, Grant Park, Chicago, IL

Photo: Nicole Radja

Who knew I'd be wearing open-toed shoes in November!  Best. Fall. Ever.  And I grew up here.

Photo: Nicole Radja

Tiffeny, Lincoln Square, Chicago, IL

Tiffeny in Lincoln Square on her vintage Triumph named Oliver J from Nottingham, England.

Cycling tip from Tiffeny: If you’re always going from point A to point B, change your route.  That is the best part about riding your bike in this city is the freedom! Not only can you change the scenery but you can find a bunch of Chicago’s hidden treasures that way. 

Nicole, Wabash and Jackson, Chicago, IL

Nicole at Wabash and Jackson with her Schwinn World Sport from Working Bikes Coop

So I had to ask Nicole how she biked in such wide legged pants.  Tip of the day: Just roll them up and secure with a regular office binder clip!

Dana, Paulina and Roscoe, Chicago, IL

Dana at Paulina and Roscoe with her Pake track frame fixed gear bike built at Bicycle Station, Brooklyn.

Krystle, Sunnyside and Western, Chicago IL

Krystle and her 1972 Raleigh sprite named Walter

Madison and State

Utility meets fashion.  I LOVE the sunglasses

Kristine, East Randolph, Chicago, IL

Kristine rides a Gravity Avenue B Road Bike

Cycling Tip from Kristine:  I love wrapping long scarves many times around my neck to help shield from the cold.  And it's a playful way of adding color and style while riding. Especially with a red one and pretending to be the Red Baron!

Sara, Canal St, Chicago, IL

Sara rides a 2010 Jamis Commuter from Roscoe Village Bikes

Cycling Tip from Sara: Add a basket to your bike. From groceries to impromptu shopping on my commute home, it's my favorite and most utilized accessory.

Ice Pink Schwinn Prelude 1987

Had to share.  This is my bike from way back in 1987!  Check out some of my self-portraits to see what 8 years of hard riding and getting stripped by a bike thief will do.  Thanks to Boulevard Bikes in Chicago for keeping it rideable.

Photo: Andrew Nawrocki.
I photographed Chicago Mayoral candidates so I decided to wear by best conservative office wear.  I love this hat www.floydboberg.com.   Its locally made with reclaimed wool, has a velcro chin strap, and it fits under my helmet!

Clinton St. Chicago, IL.

Clinton St. Chicago, IL. November 2010

Chris, Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL.

Chris on Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL.  October 2010

Dottie, Chicago Lakepath

Dottie of letsgorideabike.com with her Workcycles Azor Oma from Dutch Bike Co. Chicago

Cycling Tip from Dottie: Don't let anyone, from honking SUV drivers to condescending bike shop employees, dissuade you from riding a bike.

Janet, Lakeview, Chicago, IL.

Janet in Lakeview, Chicago, IL. October 2010

Logan Blvd., Chicago, IL.

Logan Square, Chicago, IL. October 2010

Ellen, Logan Square, Chicago, IL.

Ellen, Mega Mall in Logan Square, October 2010.

Taylor St., Chicago, IL.

Taylor St., Chicago, IL. October 2010

Lorena, Wicker Park, Chicago, IL.

Lorena Cupcake, Wicker Park, Chicago, IL. October 2010

Lorena rides a Specialized Globe Live Mixte. Singlespeed, frame-integrated rack, coaster & front caliper brake, head tube badge cut out of a box of Hello Kitty cookies.