Thank you to everyone who was part of the First Annual Like Bike Ride/Walk and Celebration

Support with money, time and connections made it possible to pull off a substantial event in a too short period of time and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Together we have further proven that what urban life is all about is... COMMUNITY!

Community can be about gathering together to (naming a few):

• moderate or prevent criminal activity
• monitor or influence property development
• demand city services
• turn attention to educational needs and celebrations
• request or maintain recreational, park and garden areas
• address transportation needs and services

But community is also about adding to quality of life through communicating with neighbors, meeting new people, enjoying healthy activity in a safe environment and interacting with others. I am very proud that we could produce Like Bike and give so many people the opportunity to have such fun.

This event turned from concept into reality because Margaret McDermott, CEO of Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center; three alderman Rey Colon (35th Ward), Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) and Joe Moreno (1st Ward); and the WPB (SSA #33) understood the vision and made it financially possible. Then Laura Weathered, Near NorthWest Arts Council, stepped up to help in the organizing.

In addition to those named above there was an unbelievable number of people who assisted with paperwork, knowledge and resources for everything from permits, printers and porto potties to educational resources. The day of the event there was another group of people including all the riders.

 

Multitudes of thank-yous and hugs go to Victor Villalobos from the Medical Center who was key to so many things; Commander Judith Martin, Chicago Police Department Special Events; Martha Ramos and John Pennycuff, 35th Ward staff; Elizabeth Gomez, 32nd Ward staff; Ronda Locke and Matt Bailey, 1st Ward staff; Lisa Roe and Jordon Seymour, Bucktown and Wicker Park Library; Adam Burck,

 

WPB Chamber of Commerce; Paul Levin, Logan Square Chamber of Commerce; Scott Venable, Mosaic Church; Charlie Keel  and Lewis Coulson in Logan Square; Kevin Womac, Boulevard Bikes; Max Hertz, Adam Glenn and John Timmins, Bike Lane Chicago; Greg Borzo, Where To Bike Chicago, Best Biking in the City and Suburbs; Rica Wallace, CDOT; Joel Vieyra, City of Chicago; Jesse Buedina and students, Holy Trinity High School;Chelsea Richer, Bike Safe Routes Ambassadors; and McKenzie Collier, Junior Women's League of Chicago.

With feet on the ground to handle the day of the event at the Library and at Logan Square, thanks to: Karen Egerer and Richard Johnson, who managed the Logan end; Nancy Ricchio and Meredith who handled the Library area; Jim Angrabright who marshaled the side street patrol; Richard Tilley; Joe Vallee; Richard Wallace;and to the officers of the 14th Police District who kept us all safe.

And then, of course, thanks so much to all of you fellow riders and walkers.

Will we do it again? It was the 1st Annual!

You are encouraged to comment below about your experience with the event, including those who were going to attend but let the weather rule!

For more information: Event story