Commuting to the 'Burbs

Hey bikers!

I work a split position between Berwyn and Evanston, and would really much rather bike than be stuck in icky car traffic. Any tips/suggestions for commuting by bike?

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 14, 2013 at 6:47am

Where do you live? It sounds like on some days you will be going to Evanston, some days to Berwyn, is that correct?

Permalink Reply by Sam Juicebox on June 14, 2013 at 7:01am

I live in Logan Square. And you are correct, some days are Evanston, some days are Berwyn. I know I could take the lakefront for Evanston or the North Shore trail for part of the way, but I'm wondering if there's a better way to go.

Alex Z said:

Where do you live? It sounds like on some days you will be going to Evanston, some days to Berwyn, is that correct?

Permalink Reply by Rich S on June 14, 2013 at 7:41am

Since you live in Logan Square I suggest taking the North Channel Trail up to Evanston.  The LFP is much more crowded and it would be a shorter distance since you'd go straight north.  

Not sure about the best way to Berwyn but Wrightwood is a really good east/west street into Logan Square from that direction.  

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on June 14, 2013 at 7:45am

Have you looked into taking the 'L'?

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on June 14, 2013 at 7:59am

Here's a link to Google Maps Bike from a generic Logan Square to a generic Evanston (I've taken this from near Quenchers to Prairie Joe's on Central in Evanston).

I also commute from near Quenchers to near Elmwood Park; Logan / Wrightwood / Drummond / Wrightwood will get you to Narragansett and is a reasonably nice ride (not too much traffic).

If you don't get blocked by rush-hour CTA limits, taking the Blue Line to Austin is an easy trip to Berwyn (I take it occasionally (non rush hour) to visit some friends).

Permalink Reply by David Barish on June 14, 2013 at 8:07am

Kedzie is a pretty decent street for bikes.  You could take Kedzie up north until you get near the Channel trail or take it until it ends (its called Jersey up there) by Lincoln Village. You can then pick up the trail north of Devon as far as you need before heading east to Evanston.  I find Main, Church and Emerson the easiest east/west streets for entering Evanston from there. 

Rich S said:

Since you live in Logan Square I suggest taking the North Channel Trail up to Evanston.  The LFP is much more crowded and it would be a shorter distance since you'd go straight north.  

Not sure about the best way to Berwyn but Wrightwood is a really good east/west street into Logan Square from that direction.  

Permalink Reply by David P. on June 14, 2013 at 8:45am

From Logan to Evanston, take either the Channel Trail or California/Dodge, according to your tastes. It would be hugely out of your way to go to the lakefront. I suppose you could also go to Andersonville via Wilson and take Glenwood - it is a nice street to go north on. However, it is less direct as you have to make some turns in Rogers Park and you have to get around the cemetary on one side or the other.

Permalink Reply by Sam Juicebox on June 15, 2013 at 2:54am

The ultimate goal is to bike to these locations. I'd rather avoid public transit. It's not that I would be stranded/unable to get to work, it's just that I'd rather be biking.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Have you looked into taking the 'L'?

Permalink Reply by Anika on June 15, 2013 at 6:16pm
The ride to Evanston is really reasonable - I make that trip at least once a week from Logan Square. Usually California north to Montrose works well. Right on Montrose and first left on Manor. Take that up to Lawrence where you'll take a right and then the first left to connect to the Channel Trail. This will take you north to the sculpture park and trail that runs along McCormick. You can get nearly anywhere in Evanston or Skokie from here.

To Berwyn, Armitage westbound isn't a terrible way to go and moves well.
Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 16, 2013 at 2:49am

Agreed that the Channel Trail is the way to go for you. At your location you would spend more time getting to the lakefront trail than you would spend on the actual trail before it ends at Hollywood. The Channel Trail is great.

For Berwyn you may have to try a few routes and see what happens; a lot of the big N/S drags to get there are scary highway-type streets, I think. Though I have heard that Narragansett is good? There was a thread about this a couple months back in which I think some people talked about taking Diversey west and then Narragansett or something south to Oak Park/Berwyn.

Permalink Reply by Jared on June 16, 2013 at 2:54am

Oak Park Avenue is a good n/s street that goes to Berwyn.  Berwyn is on a grid so you may be able to zig zag on side streets.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 16, 2013 at 5:28am

If you need to get over the Eisenhower a bit further west than Oak Park Ave there is a ped/bike only overpass over the Eisenhower at approximately Home Ave in Berwyn. It makes for a much nicer crossing of the expressway than Harlem.

Jared said:

Oak Park Avenue is a good n/s street that goes to Berwyn.  Berwyn is on a grid so you may be able to zig zag on side streets.

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