PORTAGE PARK — Bikers can put the pedal to the metal Oct. 3 as part of an effort to raise $10,000 for bike parking at the Six Corners Shopping District.
If the online fundraising campaign can raise $10,000 for three bike corrals by Nov. 1, Saris — the manufacturer of the corrals — will donate a fourth rack, according to the Six Corners Business Association.
With a $5 suggested donation, the Cruisin' for Corrals ride will start at 6 p.m. outside the Grayland Pub, 3734 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Heather Cherone says the lack of Divvy may be one motivating factor:
Bike Ambassadors from the Chicago Department of Transportation will be on hand to provide information on helmet safety before riders glide down Milwaukee Avenue with stops at Josi's Frozen Yogurt Cafe, 4032 N. Milwaukee Ave., and Hops and Barley's, 4359 N. Milwaukee Ave. The ride will end at Fischman Liquors and Tavern, 4780 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Those eateries will have specials for riders, organizers said.
If the campaign is successful, corrals would provide parking spaces for 36 bicycles at 4018 N. Cicero Ave., 4015 N. Milwaukee Ave. and a to-be-determined location on Irving Park Road, officials said.
More than $3,300 has been raised online already.
The Six Corners Business Association is working to make the shopping district more bike friendly, saying it would attract new shoppers and diners to the area — and help boost the area's burgeoning arts and entertainment district.
Twenty-two new businesses are slated to open at Six Corners by the end of 2014.
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