Chicago, IL---(March 21, 2005) The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation plans to honor the work of its longest-serving executive director at the 20th Anniversary Gala: A Tribute to Randy Neufeld, Saturday, April 2, at the Mid-Day Club, 21 S. Clark St., on the 56th floor, in downtown Chicago. The gala is held in conjunction with the organization's second annual Healthy Streets Conference April 1 at the Ralph Metcalf Federal Building, 77 W. Jackson Blvd., and April 2 at Navy Pier, Exhibit Hall A.

The evening will kick off with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. featuring a silent auction, piano music and an art installation that includes antique and contemporary bikes, and a sculptural section. Public officials, prominent businesspeople and friends of the 73-member gala committee will pay tribute to Randy over dinner. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation will also unveil key initiatives in its new Healthy Streets Campaign. The evening will include a live auction featuring a weeklong stay at a villa in France and other items, and will conclude with an abundance of dark chocolate and dancing to the music of a local band, Cajun Jedi.

"Comparing the Chicago bicycling scene of 1985 to 2005, one sees that the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has participated and encouraged many Chicago area improvements," reflected Joe Fazio, a longtime member and supporter. "I commend Randy for his decades of leadership and wise direction."

Randy served as executive director of CBF from 1988 to 2004 and now serves as its chief strategic officer. His leadership has taken the organization from its roots as a small group of volunteers to its present state of organizational strength: a staff of 26, a budget of more than $1.5 million, more than 5,000 members, and a reputation locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally as a leading bicycle advocacy organization.

Gala ticket prices start at $150 each with additional sponsorship opportunities available.

The conference and gala also play host to a full-day Real Intersection Design workshop (March 31) and the Chicago Bike Show (April 1-3), sponsored in part by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

Founded in 1985, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation has as its mission to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in our region. With more than 5,000 members, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation works toward its mission by promoting bicycling safety, education and facilities. Over the past year the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation board has been working to define a multi-modal vision; exploring the synergies between its bicycle advocacy efforts and new projects that also improve the street environments for pedestrians, transit riders and local communities.

For more information on the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the 20th Anniversary Gala: A Tribute to Randy Neufeld, please call 312-427-3325 or visit www.biketraffic.org.