I stumbled upon this initiative that would be great for families to get out and bike together. Here's the language from the Sunday Parkways site: http://www.biketraffic.org/content.php?id=1550_0_8_0

I can't determine whether this is in the works or has already started. Has anyone done Sunday Parkways? What did you think?

Here's the description:

Imagine neighbors and families pouring into the streets to greet each other as they bike, rollerblade, walk and push strollers, temporarily reclaiming public space for recreational and enriching activities.

This exciting plan — Sunday Parkways — proposes that for a few hours on Sunday, a linear network of boulevards is closed to motorized traffic.

Sunday Parkways runs along Chicago’s historic and beautiful boulevard system and will connect Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, North Lawndale and Little Village neighborhoods, displaying the vibrant culture of Chicago’s communities along the way.

Fitness, arts and cultural events in three city parks complement the street closures. The route brings residents through Douglass, Humboldt and Garfield parks.

How does it work? Participants, with the help of traffic control aides, obey traffic signals of cross streets. These cross streets remain open to car traffic, meaning that Sunday Parkways does not affect the surrounding street network or traffic flow.

Lead organizations from these communities have driven the momentum around Sunday Parkways and are working with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation’s Healthy Streets Campaign and the City to make it a reality. We are looking to pilot the event in summer of 2008 and working to secure the necessary permits and funding.

Find out how you can get involved in Sunday Parkways by contacting Adolfo Hernandez at adolfo@biketraffic.org or (312) 427-3325, ext. 296 or Lucy Gomez-Feliciano at (773) 384-4370, ext. 43 or lucygomez@sbcglobal.net.