SAFE Ambassadors

Ambassadors' News
Infrastructure Posters to the PeopleDecember 15, 2022As CDOT updates street features to make the urban environment safer for people getting around by walking and biking, the department creates posters that highlight and describe the changes to passers-by. Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors help spread this information to members of the public by installing the posters at spots with recent infrastructure changes and discussing the updates with neighborhood residents. At the December meeting of the Chicago Mobility Collaborative, attendees inquired about online availability of the posters with the idea of using them to discuss the design concepts with fellow community members. Below you can see the posters and download each one as a PDF (click on the description above the image) to use when talking about infrastructure improvements with neighbors and elected officials: Infrastructure-CB-attached Infrastructure-CB-detached Infrastructure-RC Infrastructure-PRIInfrastructure-LTTC Infrastructure-PBL Infrastructure-CF Infrastructure-ABL Infrastructure-ABL-S Click here for all the posters in a single PDF. If you are interested in learning more about infrastructure updates and designs, check out the National Association of Transportation Officials. If you have any problems with downloading these images, email SAFE Ambassador Chris.   [...]
Greener, Fresher Bike MapsAugust 17, 2022The classic Chicago Bike Map is now available in two new formats. They are: Digital—a version that can be called up on a smartphone while you’re on the go or if your paper map gets spindled or soggy. The digital version of the Chicago Bike Map is the same as the print version. Scan the QR code below or click this link. As well as being a map of the entire city and showing which streets have bike lanes of different types, this resource pinpoints the locations of CTA stations (and includes an asterisk for accessible ones), local bike shops, Divvy docks and more. Interactive—this version adds an overlay to your Google Maps app that highlights the different types of bike lanes the Chicago Department of Transportation has installed. And CDOT updates the interactive map every month, so you’ll be in the know when new infrastructure is ready for you to ride on! [...]
More Bike Classes Available NowJune 21, 2022We’ve added more Learn to Ride sessions to our class request form, extending the season into September. Find the new options and sign up by clicking here. The free, two-hour classes taught by Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors allow adults and children to learn, based on their experience level, the skills they need to be comfortable riding a bike. This year the Ambassadors are offering instruction in both English and Spanish to better meet the needs of city residents and serve more people. There are three class levels for summer 2022: Beginner Learn to Ride is for those who don’t yet know how to ride a bike, as well as people who learned long ago and need a refresher course. Classes are taught on a car-free course. Skill-Builder Learn to Ride is for people who have completed the beginner course and those who already have basic riding experience. These lessons support development of skills such as signaling, turning and interacting with other people biking or walking. This class will also be conducted on a car-free course. Road Ride is the top-level class where SAFE Ambassadors ride with students on city streets to help them experience everyday situations and build confidence. Topics covered include how to plan routes to your destination, the different types of bike lanes, and how to position yourself on the street in various traffic situations. Below are the dates, times and locations of all the 2022 Learn to Ride classes. If you don’t see some of these on the form, it’s because all available spots have been filled already: Beginner Learn to Ride Tuesdays at La Villita Park, 2800 S. Sacramento Avenue: June 7, 14, 21, 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.; and August 16, 23, 30 from 5:30 to 7:30. Thursdays at the Divvy station at 500 N. Sacramento Boulevard: June 9, 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.; August 18, 25 from 5:30 to 7:30; September 1, 8, 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturdays at CAN TV, 1309 S. Wood Street: June 11, July 2, August 13 from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.; September 3, 17 from 10 a.m. to noon; and September 10 from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Piotrowski Park, 4247 W. 31st Street: July 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 and August 2, 4 from 6 to 8 p.m.; then August 9, 11 from 5:30 to 7:30. Saturdays at Harmony Community Church, 1908 S. Millard Avenue: July 9, 23 and August 6, 20 from 10 a.m. to noon: July 16 and August 27 from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. Skill-Builder Learn to Ride Wednesdays at La Villita Park, 2800 S. Sacramento Avenue: June 22 and July 6, 20 and August 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.; and August 17, 31 from 5:30 to 7:30. Road Ride Saturdays at Seward Park, 375 W. Elm Street: July 9, 23 and August 6, 20 and September 3, 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Free use of a Divvy bike is offered to students over age 16, although you can use your own bike for all courses. Reservations are required and granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The easiest way to register is by filling out this form. If there are problems with the form, email 312SAFEbike@gmail.com, or text or call 773-312-3283 and leave a detailed message. [...]
Sign Up for Learn to Ride NowMay 25, 2022The Chicago Department of Transportation has opened up registration to the public for its popular Learn to Ride program, taught by Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors. The summer series kicks off on June 7. Fill out the form here to register. The free, two-hour classes allow adults and children to learn, based on their experience level, the skills they need to be comfortable riding a bike. This year the SAFE Ambassadors will offer classes in both English and Spanish to better meet the needs of city residents and serve more people. There are three class levels for summer 2022: Beginner Learn to Ride is for those who don’t yet know how to ride a bike, as well as people who learned long ago and would benefit from a refresher course. Classes are taught on a car-free course. Skill-Builder Learn to Ride is for people who have completed the beginner course and those who already have basic riding experience. These lessons will support development of skills such as signaling, turning and interacting with other people biking or walking. This class will also be conducted on a car-free course. Road Ride is the top-level class during which SAFE Ambassadors ride with students on city streets to help them experience everyday situations and build confidence. Topics covered include how to plan routes to your destination, the different types of bike lanes, and how to position yourself on the street in various traffic situations. Registration is open for all three Learn to Ride classes. Fill out the form here to register.    Below are the dates, times and locations of the first set of 2022 Learn to Ride classes (later dates will be added as the early classes fill up):   Beginner Learn to Ride Tuesdays at La Villita Park, 2800 S. Sacramento Avenue: June 7, 14, 21, 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at 500 N. Sacramento Boulevard, next to the Greater West Town Training Partnership: June 9 & 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. (meet at the Divvy Station). Saturdays at CAN TV, 1309 S. Wood Street: June 11 and July 2 from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m.  Tuesdays and Thursdays at Piotrowski Park, 4247 W. 31st Street: July 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays at Harmony Community Church, 1908 S. Millard Avenue: July 9, 16, 23 from 10 a.m. to noon.  Skill-Builder Learn to Ride  Wednesdays at La Villita Park, 2800 S. Sacramento Avenue: June 22 and July 6, 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. Road Ride Saturdays at Seward Park, 375 W. Elm Street: July 9, 23; August 6, 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. Free use of a Divvy bike is offered to students over age 16, although you can use your own bike for all courses. Reservations are required and granted on a first-come, first-serve basis for all courses. The easiest way to register is by filling out this form. If there are problems with the form, email 312SAFEbike@gmail.com, or text or call 773-312-3283. [...]
Getting Ready for Learn to RideApril 17, 2022We’ve been hearing from lots of people who want to learn to ride a bike this summer, and this makes us smile! Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors will be teaching free Learn to Ride classes again starting in June. Right now, we’re verifying locations and dates.. In the meantime, you can put your name on our list to get all the info as soon as all our ducks are ready to roll. Please fill out this form. Thanks for your interest and SAFE travels!   [...]

Since 2001, the Chicago Department of Transportation has promoted safe cycling and walking through the City of Chicago’s SAFE Ambassadors. SAFE stands for Streets Are For Everybody, and the Ambassadors’ goals are encouraging and educating cyclists and pedestrians, reducing traffic crashes by working with all road users, and making Chicago a safer place for active transportation.

The SAFE Ambassadors travel all over the city educating people of all ages and backgrounds about pedestrian and bicycling safety. The Ambassadors offer presentations, safety literature and bicycling activities at parks, schools, on-street events and other locations.

The Ambassadors work in Chicago’s public and private schools, leading educational programs about walking and bicycling safety. They tailor presentations for 2nd grade, 5th grade, and high school driver’s education students and are available to speak with PTA, staff/faculty and other groups as well. The Junior Ambassadors summer program trains the next generation of SAFE Ambassadors by working with the Chicago Park District.

The Ambassadors also offer dynamic SAFE Seniors programming. These workshops provide tools for seniors to navigate 311, reach out to elected officials, access transportation resources, and select safe routes through their neighborhoods.

Finally, the Ambassadors act as a street team for Divvy, Chicago’s bike-share program, during high-usage events and at new station locations.

The Ambassador programs are funded through CDOT and the Illinois Department of Transportation, with the funding year running from October through September.

Learn about the Junior Ambassadors Learn more about the SAFE Ambassadors

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