As a lifelong Chicagoan and active cyclist, I am deeply grateful for our city’s incredible lakefront. Few cities in the world can boast such a treasure, and it should be a place where all residents can gather and enjoy — especially on a holiday weekend like Labor Day.
That’s why I am dismayed that participation in Bike the Drive now costs $167.68 for two people, plus additional fees of over $11. As a taxpayer who already contributes significantly to maintaining our parks, roads and public spaces, I find it unreasonable to face an additional toll just to ride freely on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Even more concerning, riders are compelled to support the Active Transportation Alliance as part of this cost, regardless of whether they wish to.
Events like this should invite broad participation, not be limited through onerous fees. Our lakefront is a public jewel. Let’s keep it accessible, welcoming and affordable so that everyone — not just those willing to pay steep admission — can share in the joy of biking the drive.
— Michael Evans, Chicago
Chicago at its finest
Congratulations, Chicago! Another spectacular day for the city as thousands of people enjoyed the annual Bike the Drive. The weather couldn’t have been better, and the crowd couldn’t have been more diverse and friendly. People of all ages, nationalities, creeds, physical descriptions and abilities spent a few hours together riding their bikes along the lake. It was a heartwarming sight to see that most cyclists were actually doing the pedaling and not just coasting along on e-bikes.
The police successfully blocked all cars from entering DuSable Lake Shore Drive, and many alliance volunteers were on hand to assist with minor bike problems and skinned knees, as well as maintaining the concessions stands, both downtown and at the Museum of Science and Industry campus.
This is Chicago at its finest. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it successful.
— Mary Ann McGinley, Wilmette
Cycling-friendly roads
Thank you to Kenosha County for a wonderful day.
I completed a safe day of bicycling on its great roads and paths. Its major roads all have wide shoulders, with many of them marked for use as a bicycle lane. On roads without wide shoulders, some of them even have a sign indicating that it is OK for cyclists to use the entire lane. As for the dedicated paths, they were all paved. In addition, the cars behind me gave me room, unlike many Lake County drivers.
I hope Lake County board members read this and decide to do something about our roads. On many east-west streets, cyclists would be putting themselves in danger due to the lack of wide shoulders. As a road cyclist on thin tires, I normally do not ride on our unpaved forest preserve paths, as I am leery of spinning out and falling.
It would be great if our local elected officials decide to form an exploratory committee consisting of both board members and cyclists to discuss how needed reform could be implemented. A meeting with Kenosha County representatives would be nice to find out how they made their roads cycling friendly.
Safe roads are needed for both motorized vehicles and cyclists.
— Cary Riske, Grayslake
Rick Kogan’s writing
A number of letters (Sept. 1) lament the end of Michael Phillips’ column. Phillips was definitely a top-notch writer and deserving of the many compliments he received.
I would like to add the name of another writer who deserves to be appreciated and lauded: Rick Kogan. His concise writing style is unique these days, but the insight, empathy and interesting people he writes about are a true treasure for the city.
I, and many of my friends, always look forward to reading his work and discussing it afterward.
— Mitchell Dulin, Winnetka
Memories of old days
I am writing to let you know how much I enjoy reading the stories that have been in the Tribune written by Ron Grossman.
They bring back many memories of days long gone by and people and places of interest.
Thank you to Grossman for writing them and the Tribune for printing them.
— Ronald D. Allan, Plainfield
Support for grief
There are moments that hit like a ton of bricks and stop us in our tracks — a sudden silence, an empty chair, a phone call no one expected. When a loved one passes, it feels as if the entire world pauses. This is especially true when a family loses a child.
For many families across Illinois, the experience of grief is not just emotional. It’s also a financial and logistical blur. In those painful and overwhelming moments, families deserve to mourn without wondering how they’ll keep the lights on, afford time off work to heal or pay the cost of a funeral for a loved one gone too soon.
That’s why we work to help shoulder that burden. Each day, The HAP Foundation’s Missing Pieces program offers tailored support to families grappling with the loss of a child. By operating as a centralized hub for services, the program connects families to bereavement support and specialized care. Just last year, more than 450 families were served by the program.
We’ve all known loss, with more than half of Americans experiencing the death of someone close in the past three years. In Illinois, unexpected death remains the leading cause of loss across every age group.
Through research, advocacy, education and grief resources, The HAP Foundation helps provide hope for the future when parents and families feel there is none left.
In support of this mission is an industry that understands. The life and health insurance sector isn’t just about policy — it’s about people.
Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. It’s nonlinear and deeply personal. Nearly 10% of adults experience complicated, even debilitating grief — a kind that reshapes daily life. While we can’t heal every heartache, we can ensure no one feels alone in the aftermath.
This isn’t just our profession. It’s our promise.
The Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council and The HAP Foundation are proud to have established a partnership that seeks to illuminate darkness with light and hope. Through this partnership, we are committed to elevating the Missing Pieces program throughout Illinois to help those in need cope with an unspeakable loss.
— Joseph Matty, president, The HAP Foundation, and Laura Minzer, president, Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council
Note to readers: We often hear from our readers about why you love Chicago in the summer. Fall offers pleasures and treasured memories, too. We invite you to share what you love about fall or the memories that come to mind when autumn arrives. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to letters@chicagotribune.com. Be sure to include your full name, your city/town and your phone number.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
