Best casual bike rides in Chicago, IL
Chicago's crown jewel for riders is the Lakefront Trail — 18 flat, car-free miles along Lake Michigan, right past the skyline and the beaches. Add the elevated 606 and the city's growing protected lanes and you can put together a great casual ride without fighting traffic. A few route ideas to get you rolling.
Up for a big day? Chicago century rides ›
Chicago family / flat ride — 6.24 mi
You're heading north on paved roads for a quick 6.2-miler with minimal climbing—just 85 feet of elevation. Expect a short stretch on a busier road to connect, but otherwise it's a mellow spin out and back the way you came.
Chicago bike paths ride — 13.07 mi
You're heading out north on paved roads with moderate traffic for about 6.5 miles, then turning around and coming back the same way — a straightforward 13-mile spin with virtually no elevation to worry about. It's all asphalt and moves fast, though you'll share the road with some car traffic on the way out and back.
Chicago longer scenic ride — 10.63 mi
You're heading north on all pavement for a mellow 10.6-mile out-and-back with barely 119 feet of climbing—perfect for spinning easy legs. A short stretch crosses busier roads to connect, but most of it's on quieter pavement, and you'll turn around and head back the way you came.