Cost: varies

Organizer: City of Chicago

What to expect: Over 100 biking events to suit any experience level and interest.

Why to go: Check out the new Chicago Criterium Bike Race (July 26), which will welcome many of the sport's elite competitors to Chicago's lakefront. Also of note are Bike the Drive (May 24), the Bike to Work Rally (June 19), the LATE Ride (July 11-12) and the Boulevard Lakefront Tour (September 13).

Additional info: Bike Chicago's noble intention is to promote the health, economic and environmental benefits that come from bicycling. The event includes tours, sporting events, exhibitions, parades and educational workshops.

An FYI for those who don't think there's much room to bike alongside city buses and crazy drivers: Chicago has 100 miles of bike lanes, 50 miles of bike paths and more bike racks than any other city in the nation.

Centerstage Reviewer: Ben Rubenstein