West Town Bikes Archives - Chicago Reader

Columns & Opinion

Cops slammed for ticketing black cyclists: ‘It’s about the police harassing people’

by John Greenfield July 17, 2018August 18, 2021

Cycle of injustice continues as blacks still ticketed at far higher rates for biking violations.

Blogs

The Mellowest Bike Tour and more of the best bike-related events in Chicago

by Steve Heisler June 20, 2018August 18, 2021

Credit: Tomasz Zajda – stock.adobe.com Bike to Work Challenge The annual Bike to Work event now spans two weeks, rewarding commuters for putting down the Ventra card or the car keys and picking up a helmet and U-lock. Prizes will be awarded; more information can be found at bikecommuterchallenge.org. Through-Fri 6/29, kick-off rally (date to […]

Columns & Opinion

For Mormon missionaries, spreading the gospel by bike is all about practicality

by John Greenfield September 27, 2017August 18, 2021

LDS Church “elders” and “sisters” use pedals to proselytize, with Jesus as their copilot.

Columns & Opinion

For Latino activists, transportation justice means factoring in immigration and gentrification

by John Greenfield November 10, 2016August 18, 2021

Undocumented residents have special concerns, and infrastructure-related housing price spikes are a major issue.

Music

Al Scorch plays roots music with unlikely roots

by Leor Galil May 11, 2016August 18, 2021

Chicago banjo fiend Al Scorch talks about his inspirations—including freak bikes, DIY hardcore, and Kelly Hogan.

Thirty-five percent of the stolen bikes posted on the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry were locked with easy-to-cut cable locks; less than 10 percent were secured with a U-lock to a bike rack—the preferred method.

News & Politics

Vigilante cyclists reunite owners with stolen bikes

by Julia Thiel September 3, 2014August 18, 2021

Fed up with bike theft, Chicago cyclists are doing online investigations, setting up sting operations with police, and confronting the criminals face-to-face.

Blogs