From Mayor Daley on down, people in Chicago like to ride their bikes, both for pleasure, and as a way to commute to and from work. Great cycling in and around Chicago has been our secret for a long time.

The secret is out. In the November issue of Bicycling Magazine, Chicago has been named the best big city in the United States for cycling. Chicago was rated the best of cities with a population of one million or more. It was ranked second in North America, only to Montreal, Canada.

It was the second cycling award for the city in less than a month. In late September, the League of American Bicyclists designated the city's "Bike Chicago 2001" as the nation's top cycling event. Chicago also was honored in the March 1999 issue of Bicycling, when it was named to the top 10 list of cycling cities with population of 200,000 or more.

"Chicago has always been a great place to live, work and raise a family, and now we're receiving recognition for being a great place to ride a bike," Mayor Daley said. "Biking is a great way to stay fit, and see the city from a unique and wonderful perspective. I've worked hard as Mayor to create a favorable environment for bike lovers, and I am pleased that these efforts are being recognized nationally."

Since 1991, when Mayor Daley formed the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council, Chicago has established more than 100 miles of bikeways and invested millions of dollars on bike-related improvements all across the city. In addition, Mayor Daley's Bicycling Ambassadors debuted this year, appearing at events and festivals throughout the city to offer bicycle education and safety tips.

Regarding the latest awards, Ben Gomberg, Bicycle Program Director for the Chicago Department of Transportation, said the city had a special synergy.

"I think it's a credit to a partnership we have here in Chicago that really is unequaled in any other city," Gomberg said. he cited the Mayor's initial and ongoing vision to make the city bike-friendly, the advocacy and advisory work by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the cooperation of the many city departments that make things go in a city this large.

"Other cities (departments) often fight with each other. The wheels turn together in Chicago."

Gomberg forecasts another great year in the city for cyclists. He said that it was good that the city added about 15 miles of bike lanes on city streets in 2001, but said 50 more are likely next year.

"Next year's progress is going to blow everyone away," he said.

The city's cycling preeminence continues next spring when The Subaru Chicago Bike Show and Fitness Expo moves to Navy Pier. Dates for the expanded and re-vamped show are March 22-24.