Active Transportation Alliance and Fifth Third Bank team up for 18th annual ride on Lake Shore Drive

21,000+ people on bikes to kick off summer at one of the nation’s best bike rides

Active Transportation Alliance and Fifth Third Bank team up for 18th annual ride on Lake Shore Drive

21,000+ people on bikes to kick off summer at one of the nation’s best bike rides

For the 18th consecutive year, the heavily anticipated Fifth Third Bank Bike the Drive event will once again serve as the city’s unofficial kickoff to summer on Sunday, May 26, 2019. Held by the Active Transportation Alliance — a non-profit organization dedicated to improving conditions for bicycling, walking and transit — the event will offer nearly five hours of car-free riding along the city’s crown jewel roadway, Lake Shore Drive. After Fifth Third Bank’s recent merger with MB Financial Bank, Fifth Third took over title sponsorship of the Active Transportation Alliance event.

“If you’ve never done it, you’re missing out on one of the best biking events in the nation. Even better, participants can feel proud that they’re supporting efforts to make biking, walking and transit safe and easy options for getting around Chicagoland,” said Ron Burke, executive director of Active Transportation Alliance. “We appreciate MB’s past support as well as Fifth Third’s new commitment to this event.”

Fifth Third Bike the Drive will kick off at 5:30 a.m. and occur between Bryn Mawr Avenue and 57th Street. The event includes a pancake breakfast, post-ride festival with live music, a beer garden and activities for adults and children at Butler Field in Grant Park from 8 a.m. until noon. Participants are encouraged to begin riding by 7 a.m. to enjoy the car-free riding as long as possible. Register for the event at 53bikethedrive.org.

The full route stretches 30 miles and participants are encouraged to ride as little or as much of the course as they would like. Riders who want to tackle the full route can sign up for the 30-mile challenge during registration. These riders will get a 30-Mile Challenge racing bib and finishers will receive a commemorative medal.

“Fifth Third Bank is excited to bring Chicagoans together for this fun and healthy event, which contributes to the vibrancy of our community,” said Mitch Feiger, who has been named chairman and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Chicago). “This is just one of the many shared events and commitments we will continue to support.”

Added Karen Perlman, senior vice president of marketing at Fifth Third Bank Chicago: “This is one of the many ways we build community, while also supporting efforts to make roads in Chicago safer for all forms of transportation.”

Pricing for participation is lower for early registrants. Details are available on the registration site. The last date to register and have a packet mailed to a home is May 5. After that date, packets must be picked up at select locations.

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