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Suburban Chicago Bicycling

It's the most wonderful time of the year! (What e-bike controversies and heat wave?)

Published 2 days ago • 1 min read

Take a last look at spring, because the heat's comin'.

One place I had to stop and look again

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It's a great time of the year because the sunlight is around past 8:30 p.m. and the greenery is out in full force. The little Klein Road in west DuPage County offers a striking view of the West Branch Forest Preserve, above. I found myself having to stop and take pictures, though the camera can't really do it justice. I tried anyway.​

Things heating up, besides the weather

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An e-bike reckoning: I was afraid to dive into the growing controversy over e-bikes, which involves motorbikes and e-scooters just as much, as residents are getting really upset seeing them zipping around on streets and sidewalks. Now suburbs are responding with new laws. I've started to compile them. So far they're mostly going beyond state and county laws. One suburb, Elk Grove Village, is even restricting e-bikes only to riders who have driver's licenses. Others add age limits.

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More roundabout rumbling: Meanwhile, new plans are out for the remaking of Springinsguth Road in Schaumburg, and they include not only a lane reduction, from four to two plus a center turn lane, but also a roundabout at a tricky intersection. The roundabout concept as usual gets supporters and detractors.

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Hot on the calendar

If we must ride this weekend as the heat wave hits, do it for charity ...

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​Invitational/charity ride calendar:

  • Bike MS Tour de Farms in Kane County is Saturday and Sunday.
  • Joliet Bicycle Club July 4th ride added.

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Finally, say so long to spring with this video of Japanese lilacs down a Schaumburg road. — Neil

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Suburban Chicago Bicycling

Neil Holdway

A source for the great trails and roads to ride a bicycle in Chicago's suburbs, and to learn about efforts to make bicycling easier there.

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