The CPD and Chicago Department of Transportation are dispatching "bike ambassadors" tonight, Thursday and Friday to remind cyclists to follow the city's safety rules. Tonight, they'll be in Wicker Park reminding people to use headlamps when biking after dark. Thursday afternoon, they'll be in Lakeview reminding people to obey traffic laws, and Friday in Uptown, asking folks not to ride on the sidewalk. (Argh! Yes! I hate that.) No one will be getting tickets—just friendly......

Lake Shore Drive has just re-opened after being closed since 5:30 for the annual Bike the Drive. We were at 31st Street and snapped a few shots on what has turned out to be a gorgeous morning for riding bikes. No word yet on whether any bikers were consumed by the potholes that plague the drive. More photos after the jump.......

Matthew Mager, a 29 year old who lived on the 1400 block of West Lill Ave., was riding along with a group of cyclists this morning when he was struck by an SUV at the intersection of Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park. Mager was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, but he could not be saved. According to Officer JoAnn Taylor, who was on the scene, it looked "like the bicyclist may have disregarded......

As it gets closer to Halloween for LAist, a contributer recollects her tale of staring down the serial killer, Richard Ramirez, otherwise known as the Night Stalker. Must think happy thoughts -- okay, free organic chocolate chip cookies for Los Angeles -- now that's a happy thought. Other happy Los Angeles thoughts include an interview with Jack Kehler of The Big Lebowski (he was the Dude's landlord), a beautiful and magical photographic moment in......

So in 2000 a dude gets hit by a New York City Bus (Bear with us; the story has roots in New York, and eventually makes its way to our city) and decides he’s going to make something positive out of the experience. What does Brendt Barbur do? He creates a Bicycle Film Festival (BFF), featuring films celebrating the bike. And all forms of bikes: Tall-Bike Jousting, Track Bikes, BMX, Alleycats, Critical Mass, Bike Polo,......

Austinist gets arty with an interactive guide to SXSW, loved some local art galleries and a new art exhibit and lamented the possible loss of "Friday Night Lights" production to New Mexico. Bostonist was happy they finally found an Anna Nicole Smith connection to their fair city and that an Apple Store was opening up. They were less happy that new rules have been established limiting underage shows and that their Governor is spending......

It seems everybody is complaining about the delays on the El and is looking for alternative methods of getting to work. This Friday is a great opportunity to give your bike a tryout for the job. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is hosting its fifth annual Winter Bike to Work Day on Friday, January 19. The event normally falls on the 20th, in celebration of the anniversary of Chicago's coldest day which occurred on that date......

The city has been re-examining curbs around town to make sure they comply with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law specifies a maximum 2 percent slope on ramps, but many sidewalks around the city had been simply cut to fit the existing conditions, no matter the height of the curb. Crews are now replacing curb cuts and the surrounding sidewalks everywhere to make the grade, after the Council for Disability Rights......

Good news out of Fort Myers, Fla. this morning: the town’s annual Turkey Testicle Festival will be allowed to keep its name. And they just may have an Illinois town to thank for it. The Fort Myers town council voted 4-1 to keep the word “testicle” in the town’s annual ode to Tom Turkey’s twins, which raises money for a local food bank. When asked to comment, a representative for the local food bank said......

So recently, Chicagoist reported that the much-vaunted 2016 Summer Olympics stadium contender was moving from around Soldier Field/McCormick Place to Washington Park on the South Side. Hrm, the woefully underfunded South Side instead of hoity-toity Lincoln Park or the crowded lakefront? That changes things a little, we said. We stroked our collective chins. Debates raged, and dander flew. Now Daley & Co. have added more fuel to the fire by making their bid public. The......

In the nearly ten years that Critical Mass has had a presence in Chicago, hundreds upon hundreds of area cycling enthusiasts have shown us a glimpse of the world they envision: one where cars aren't the main source of transportation on the landscape. A self-described "visual demonstration," CM's monthly rides - held on the last Friday of the month - are considered to be a sign of the strength of the city's biking community.......

Yesterday the city announced plans to link together a 500-mile network of bike routes, including almost 200 miles of new street routes. More bike paths = good, but also great are the safety issues the plan addresses. Some of the biggest dangers to cyclists are car doors opening and people passing in the right lane. City planners went global and looked around the world for new safety ideas. From Geneva, Switzerland, they got the idea......

We have to admit, when we read about the Chicago Police Bicycle Unit officer who was struck by an opening car door yesterday, we giggled a little. Not because we don’t care about the police officer or anyone else who is injured while biking – we know it’s a serious issue. But if our TV and movie addictions have taught us anything, it’s that people flying over car doors while riding bicycles is funny. Of......

Tomorrow on your lunch break head over to Daley Plaza where they'll be celebrating Chicago Moves Day with activities from 11am - 1pm. There'll be pilates, cardio kickboxing, stretching, yoga, and cycling. If those don't getcha movin' then how 'bout a little Dance Dance Revolution? If you're a sports fan you'll want to go over to see a special appearance by former Chicago Bear Chris Zorich and the Chicago White Sox will be there......