Des Plaines officials take to streets on bicycles

Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan, Police Chief Jim Prandini, city aldermen and other community leaders will take to the streets on Saturday, Oct. 3, for the first Tour de Des Plaines bicycle ride.

All residents with bicycles are invited to ride the 12.5-mile loop through the city's eight wards.

The ride begins and ends at Prairie Lake Park, 510 E. Algonquin Road. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with cyclists leaving at 9 a.m. The route includes check points in each of the city's eight wards.

Cyclists can ride the entire 12.5 miles or stop at any point. Punch cards attached to participants' bicycles will be stamped at each check point.

Moylan said the idea for the ride sprung from residents positive reaction toward the city's bicycle patrol officers.

"They like the idea of accessibility," Moylan said. "So we expanded upon that. Residents like the accessibility of their elected officials. We're promoting bike safety, neighborhood community watch, and it's a fun thing to do. It's all about getting together, having fun, and riding around neighborhoods."

Officials hope to make the ride an annual event at the end of summer.

Since safety is the key message, all cyclists are required to wear helmets to participate, Des Plaines Police bike patrol officer Colin Johnson said.

"Our new mayor is a guy who leads by example," Johnson said. "He's going to be out there riding his bike and he always wears his helmet."

There will be a disc jockey playing music at the start/finish line, and snacks, T-shirts and goodies. For more information, call (847) 391-5410.