Up to 20,000 bicyclists took to Lake Shore Drive yesterday morning for the annual Bike The Drive event and were greeted by beautiful, warm weather. But the event was marred by the death of a rider, identified as Larry Williams, 54, of Dolton. Witnesses say Williams fell off of his bike around the 2300 block of North Lake Shore Drive around 8 a.m. yesterday morning. Volunteers and fellow bikers responded, calling 911, and Williams was transported to Northwestern Memorial where he was pronounced dead. While the official cause of death won't be known until an autopsy is performed later today, reports indicate that Williams suffered a heart attack. Bike the Drive spokesperson Margo O'Hara said, "Every year we work to ensure all riders' safety during our events. We are very sad to hear of the death and we send our thoughts and condolences to the family." more ›

Yesterday's post on the Ride of Silence to honor bicyclists killed in traffic accidents spurred a, well, spirited debate amongst commenters. Above are some photos of the ride taken by Chicagoist Flickr Pool contributor Gabriel Xavier Michael, who estimated a group of 75-100 cyclists were on the ride. more ›

Riding to work Wednesday morning this Chicagoist staffer and avid cyclist was doored ever-so-slightly by a trucker. While tending to the minor scrapes incurred from the sudden braking and subsequent tumble, the trucker proceeded to yell at us about how we shouldn't be on the street. Until we grabbed the bike lock and took a couple of swings at him. An accident happening while cycling (for us) is rare and we ride on the streets all the time. Still, it's is a hell of a lot safer than being on the lakeshore path, which often takes on a chaotic anarchy with all the joggers, cyclists, rollerbladers, beachgoers and tourists afoot. more ›