According to Bicycling Magazine, in 2016 Chicago was the top cycling city in the U.S. Cycling has only continued to explode throughout Illinois since then, with hundreds of miles of bike paths and trails for everyone at every level of cycling. If you are a total newbie to cycling, or a seasoned professional looking for something new to add to your bike trail repertoire, you may want to consider some of these Chicago-area bike paths and trails for your next bike ride.
The Chicago Lakefront Trail
The Lakefront Trail spans approximately 18.5 miles and bypasses all the traffic of Chicago, instead allowing for cyclists to explore the city and take in city landmarks, parks, monuments, and notable cities. Some of the attractions on The Chicago Lakefront Trail include:
- Access to Hyde Park, Lake View, and South Shore.
- Numerous parks including Lincoln Park and its zoo, Jackson Park, and Grant Park.
- Navy Pier with its Shakespearean Museum, Ferris Wheel, and numerous activities.
- Museums and attractions which include Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum and Soldier Field, and the Museum of Science and Industry.
The Robert McGlory Bike Path
The Robert McGlory Bike Path has gone by various names over the years, including the Green Bay Trail and the North Shore Bike Path, which can be confusing to some cyclists as those two trails exist on their own. The Robert McGlory path, however, is its own path and is 26.5 miles that if taken to its completion will bring you to Wisconsin.
Some of the features of The Robert McGlory Bike Path include:
- The majority of the path is historic scenery of old towers, electrical cables, and landmarks from the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee railroad corridor with brief forays into city streets for an urban feel that eventually becomes open country.
- Beautiful community gardens that eventually become prairies, fields, and forest.
The North Branch Trail
This trail is located in a major city but gives cyclists the feel and beauty of nature. This 20-mile trail follows a portion of the Chicago river and ends at the Chicago Botanical Garden in the north. The North Branch Trail also includes a connection to The Green Bay Trail, rest areas, restrooms, and horseback riding opportunities.
The Green Bay Trail
New cyclists, those with children, or those looking to extend their time on The North Branch Trail, should consider The Green Bay Trail. This nine-mile trail follows the Metra commuter rail, allowing cyclists to ride out one way and take the rail back, as well as connecting to The Robert McGlory Bike Path for an even longer bike ride for those looking for more of a challenge.
Other features of The Green Bay Trail include:
- Access to numerous community parks, restaurants, and stores.
- Close proximity to Ravinia, known for its open-air pavilion which is home to a wide variety of musical performances.
- Multiple opportunities for rest and access to various new neighborhoods for exploration.
The Hennepin Canal Parkway
This 105-mile trail is a great ride for anyone looking for a historical experience. The canal, which was built to connect the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, was abandoned at the beginning of the 20th century, however most of the structures in that area remain intact, including the railroads.
The Hennepin Canal Parkway is one of the more rural rides you can take, so it is best to pack your own refreshments and water because of the limited availability of locations along the trail providing them. It is also recommended that cyclists ride this trail in the fall when temperatures are lower and you’re less likely to be hit by the severe heat of summer.
Novice cyclists and children will also enjoy The Hennepin Canal Parkway as it has few hills, is consistently flat, and suitable for most types of bikes, however hybrid bike riders will also enjoy using The Hennepin.
The Illinois Prairie Path
The Illinois Prairie Path is 61-miles of paths converted from historic railroad tracks and has three main branches with five connections for a unique experience every time you take this trail. If you want to take the entire trail, it is recommended that you have a fair bit of cycling knowledge and experience as it includes both steep hills and drops and will not be suitable for most children.
The Illinois Prairie Path cuts through both urban and rural areas, features train depot homes that provide a place to rest and refill your water and ends in Volunteer Park near three active rail lines where you can take a train home.
The Jane Addams Trail
The Jane Addams Trail is 15-miles of nature for those cyclists that enjoy bird and deer watching. Hawks, owls, and other birds of prey are common, as are deer hunters in the fall, so it is best to plan your trips accordingly. This trail, named after the Nobel Prize Winner and philanthropist, begins in Freeport, Illinois and runs into Wisconsin and allows you to visit the childhood home and burial site of Jane Addams if you desire.
The North Shore Channel Trail
If you are a newer cyclist, you should consider The North Shore Channel Trail. At only 6.7-miles, this trail is an easier ride that combines urban and rural scenery however, The North Shore Channel Trail also has dirt paths into wooded areas for more experienced cyclists.
Other great features of The North Shore Channel Trail include playgrounds, parks, and a baseball stadium for a family-oriented ride, as well as access to a dock for canoeing or kayaking in the channel.
This is only the beginning of the bike trails and paths that Illinois offers. You can also consider The Major Taylor Trail for urban rides, The Des Plaines River Trail if you’re interested in wildlife, and The Millennium Trail which features multiple nature preserves.
Cycling is an enjoyable and healthy activity but does come with some risks. At America’s Consumer Lawyer, we represent clients in Illinois who have suffered personal injuries from a bicycle accident, as well as family members who have lost a loved one in a road accident caused by negligent or reckless conduct of another person. We know that when a bicycle collides with a vehicle weighing at least 2,000 pounds, the odds are not in the cyclist’s favor and the results can be tragic.
It’s important to consult with an experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and determine if you have a valid personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against a reckless or negligent driver. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer, for a free consultation.
We at America’s Consumer Lawyer are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at America’s Consumer Lawyer, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
