As part of their ongoing effort to bring more biking and walking opportunities to the community, the Wheaton Bicyclist and Pedestrian Commission encourages the community to participate in the commission's regularly scheduled group bike rides and walks to various areas in and near Wheaton. Anyone can participate in these events. Biking and walking will be along some roads and also utilizing the extensive trail system of DuPage county.
The next bike ride will be May 6, where the group will travel to Lilacia Park in Lombard to check out the beautiful lilacs in bloom. Total mileage for this ride is 10 miles. The ride will start at 10 a.m. and everyone is encouraged to meet on the west side of the library with your bike and helmet. Participants must complete this waiver to take part in Group Rides.
In addition to Lilacia Park, other planned destinations include St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Winfield, as well as Herrick Lake here in Wheaton. Most tours will originate from the west side of the Wheaton Library. The average length of these tours is 10 miles and will be led by a member of the Commission. For those more ambitious, there will be a ride to Fermilab in Kane County with another to Elmhurst College.
The commission hosts an annual history bike ride each September. This year's event will be on September 16, where you can learn about Famous Women of Wheaton as you bike around the city. Residents can also access virtual rides of previous year’s history tours - The Underground Railroad and Great fires of Wheaton - to ride on their own.
“Our bike rides are a great way to meet other bikers from the area and learn the great bike trails of the area for those new to town,” stated Alyse Kondrat, the chair of the Commission. “Our hope is that with the start of Spring people get their bikes out and take advantage of these great biking opportunities.”