CHICAGO - May 25, 2005 - For the third consecutive year, Bank One is partnering with the City of Chicago, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the Chicago Park District for "Bike One Chicago," a diverse offering of free bike programs and services throughout the summer.

Bank One's Bike One Chicago 2005 program will offer complimentary valet bicycle parking at Grant Park festivals and other events, free 2005 Chicago bike maps at Bank One branches and bike retailers, bike racks at neighborhood street festivals, and more.

With gas prices expected to remain high throughout Chicagoland during the coming season, biking - which can be fun, fast and free - makes more sense than ever.

"Bicycling is one of the best ways to get around and enjoy Chicago. It's fun, healthy, free and good for the environment," said Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Bike to Work Week
The City of Chicago's Bike to Work Week promotes the health, economic and environmental benefits of bicycling. For example, biking to work just one day a week can reduce commuting costs up to 20 percent and can decrease travel times as well, all while reducing pollution. Yet, while more than half of all Americans live less than five miles from their job, only 1.67 percent of them commute by bike, according to Bicycling magazine. The 15th annual week-long celebration kicks off Monday, June 13, and encourages people to get rolling to and from work. It culminates with a Bike to Work Day Rally and free breakfast at Daley Plaza on Friday, June 17, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thousands of cyclists and local celebrities will participate in the event, and Bank One will sponsor free valet bike parking at Daley Plaza on June 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Valet Bike Parking
Bank One's bike valet service allows Chicagoans and visitors to bike to summer events and avoid car traffic and parking hassles, save money on gas, and say goodbye to the worries of finding a place to securely lock their bikes. After parking nearly 6,000 bikes last summer, Bank One is underwriting an expanded schedule of free valet bike parking -11 city events, comprising 27 days - throughout the summer. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation will operate valet bike parking at: Bike the Drive (May 29); Chicago Blues Festival (June 9-12); Mayor Daley's Bike to Work Rally (June 17); Taste of Chicago (June 24-July 4) and Country Music Festival (June 25-26); Outdoor Film Fest (every Tuesday night, July 12 - Aug. 23); the Lollapalooza concert (July 23-24); Chicago Air & Water Show (Aug. 20-21); Viva! Chicago Latin Music Fest (Aug. 27-28); Jazz Fest (Sept. 1-4); and Celtic Fest (Sept. 17-18).

For all Grant Park events, the bike valet facility will be located at the northwest corner of Lake Shore Drive and Monroe. Free bike safety checks and basic bicycle repair will be provided during the events, courtesy of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

Street Festival Bike Parking
Bank One will provide bike racks for use at a number of neighborhood festivals this summer to encourage people to ride their bikes . Chicagoans can look for the bright blue Bank One Bike One racks at:
Belmont Sheffield Music Festival (June 4-5)
Wells Street Art Festival (June 11-12)
Northcenter Ribfest (June 11-12)
Beverly Arts Fair (June 18-19)
Lincoln Park Fest (June 18-19)
Fountain Square Art Festival (June 24-26)
Lakeview Arts & Music Fest (July 2-3)
Clark Street Fair (July 10-11)
BenFest (July 15-17)
Taste of Lincoln Avenue (July 30-31)
Guinness Oyster Fest (Sept. 10)

For more information check out, www.BikeOneChicago.com.