Often known as ‘they windy city’ Chicago is the main city of the US state of Illinois. A very urban area, it’s a good example of how to do transport well, and its cycle system is so good, that it’s often emulated worldwide. Not only are there wonderful bike lanes, but there are also several bike stations, where riders can drop off bikes, repair them with free tools and most also have shower lockers, so commuters can freshen up before or after work.
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago, the grid layout of the city makes it one of the USA’s most walkable places to live or visit. After a tragic history (the Great Chicago Fire left over 100,000 people homeless in 1871), today it’s a positive place transforming itself into a beautiful city (with most streets having wide grass patches and trees to both beautify and keep people away from traffic).
Indeed its motto is the Latin phrase for ‘City in a Garden’. It has over 570 parks and over 8000 acres of parkland, along with 31 sandy beaches and 50 nature areas. Lincoln Park covers 1200 acres and is almost as popular with visitors as New York’s Centreal Park. Read more on why we need more public parks.
