Ditch your vehicles and celebrate Chicago's Bike to Work Week

Beginning today with a rally in Daley Plaza, sponsors' Chicago's Active Transportation Alliance and CLIF Bar invite local Chicago residents and its suburban commuters to celebrate the Bike to Work Week. An ATA booth at the rally will be available for questions. Bike to Work week will begin on June 19th through the 22nd with a wrap up party on June 23rd.

According to the British Medical Journal, physical activity is declining world-wide and a recent study shows that cycling provides major opportunity to improve public health. Watching the joys of parents teaching their children how to ride a bicycle drops away as we grow into adults. Many sell their bikes, concentrate on their new SUV and if adding exercise to the mix, walk instead but biking has proved to be even more beneficial than walking.

Chicago's Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit advocacy organization that works to improve conditions for bicycling, walking and transit. They engage people in healthy and active ways to get around with thousands of members that support their mission. While CLIF Bar is determinedly involved in saving the environment, providing sustainable food products that are packed with organic ingredients. CLIF Bar began its journey after Gary Erickson completed a one-day, 175-mile bike ride and just couldn't stomach another energy bar. It was then that the CLIF Bar was born named after Gary's father, Clifford.

ATA offers a calendar of events this week that includes a Father's Day ride and a workshop that covers the benefits of commuting on a bicycle.

Celebrate Active Trans’ Bike Week at the official Rock the Rooftop Party. Appetizers will be enjoyed by Nando’s Peri-Peri which began in South Africa and opened a location in Chicago known for its great chicken and Portuguese cuisine. Beers from Revolution Brewing, one of Chicago's finest in hand-crafted beers will compliment your food. Between the brewery and their brewpub, they produce dozens of different beer styles with a true commitment to the best quality.The wrap party takes place on June 23rd at 5:30-8:00pm at 1000 West Fulton Market, Suite 4 but you must RSVP at Eventbrite.

After writing this article, it suddenly occurred to me that my adult daughter had left her old bike from her early days behind. Not the small two wheeler though I will never forget those early days of surprise, love and accomplishment on her face as she managed her first bike. She had purchased an adult bike and though covered with dust and cobwebs in the garage, it looked like it was still in good shape; tires would need some air.

I smiled at the bike, the memories of bike riding as a child, my own father leading me on with encouragement. We still had old 8 millimeter movies, converted, of course, with my best friend and I riding our new bikes down the sidewalk; never tiring and waving as we passed my Dad filming. My daughter and sons converted DVD's from VHS still readily available for viewing their first bike rides as family cheered and neighbors applauded. The most important activity in the world was learning how to ride a bike.

I know what I will be doing next week!