I'd like a (patient) commuting buddy

Just got a bike. I used to be super comfortable on one, but since I've moved to the city & heard multiple horror stories, I've been a bit nervy about hopping on mine to get to work (wicker park to the rookery). I feel confident about riding to work, but the commute home seems like it could be crazy.

Any tips or interest in being a buddy?

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Permalink Reply by Vitaliy on June 18, 2014 at 4:29pm

What is the per mile commission?

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on June 19, 2014 at 12:29am

Laura, two resources:  Women Bike Chicago has a mentoring program for women who want to become more comfortable riding in the city:  e-mail womenbikechicagomentors at g.mail.com  Also go to womenbikechicago.org

Also chicagobikebuddies.com 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 19, 2014 at 2:06am

Laura, any specific reason the commute home makes you more anxious than the commute in?

FWIW, there is some pretty good infrastructure for your route (Milwaukee/Kinzie/Dearborn). You might even find a "safety in numbers" element on the ride home, depending on the time.

Permalink Reply by Matt on June 19, 2014 at 5:18am

Hi Laura, Chicago Bike Buddies would be a great option.  It's a volunteer group that pairs hesitant riders with experienced riders to help them feel more comfortable riding in the city.  

Permalink Reply by Shelley Scott on June 19, 2014 at 5:42am

When I worked in the loop, I found that I was totally comfortable on Milwaukee in the morning, but the stretch from Division north to Sacramento (I live in Albany Park) made me much more nervous in the evening with all the pedestrians and much more vehicle traffic. I usually used Elston instead in the evening commute. Maybe there is a side-street route that would be an alternate?

Permalink Reply by Laura B. on June 19, 2014 at 8:20am

Wow! Thanks for all the feedback. Super helpful - the ride home makes me more anxious because of increased vehicles (that could be something I made up in my head though)

Permalink Reply by David P. on June 19, 2014 at 8:52am

Laura,

You may find taking a stair-stepping route more relaxing than taking Milwaukee. A friend of mine lives near Armitage & California and works in the Loop and takes such a route, jogging south and east (or west and north) on quieter streets. I rode his route with him the other weekend from the Loop after a suburban ride and found it a lot calmer than Milwaukee, and only perhaps five minutes longer in travel time.

For instance, Jackson or Monroe into the Loop, Adams or Madison out of it; west to something like Wood or Damen.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on June 19, 2014 at 9:16am

For me, Friday afternoon's commute can be scary at times. Every trying to get home or out of town. 

Laura B. said:

Wow! Thanks for all the feedback. Super helpful - the ride home makes me more anxious because of increased vehicles (that could be something I made up in my head though)

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