Released: Sunday, May 29, 2011

Contact:
Ethan Spotts
Mobile 312.919.1423
Office 312.427.3325 x 287
ethan@activetrans.org
photos available: visit http://www.activetrans.org/btd11photos

About 20,000 people ride Lake Shore Drive

The last time Lake Shore Drive was closed to cars, two feet of snow fell on the city. This time, Lake Shore Drive was closed to cars so that many thousands of cyclists could mark the traditional beginning of summer in the city.

Today, nearly 20,000 bicyclists enjoyed MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive, an annual fundraiser that benefits the Active Transportation Alliance's work to improve biking, walking and transit.

While the post-ride festival wrapped up early due to rain, a record number of participants turned out to enjoy good cycling weather throughout the duration of the ride.

"Families and friends are cruising up and down a car-free Lake Shore Drive and having the time of their lives," said Active Transportation Alliance Executive Director Ron Burke. “Many thousands of cyclists transformed this highway into a bicycling utopia.”

Lake Shore Drive opened to bicyclists at 5:30 a.m. From downtown Chicago, participants took over eight lanes and 15 miles of open highway to bike to their hearts’ content north to Bryn Mawr and south to the Museum of Science and Industry.

After the event, ride participants gathered in Grant Park to lounge, eat pancakes from Goose Island, listen to music, check out sponsor booths and win give-aways. A Blues Brothers tribute band entertained festival-goers with lively tunes.

The MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive is sponsored by NBC5, Telemundo, Columbia, SRAM, Schwinn, Fairmont Chicago, Kozy’s Cyclery, I-GO Car Sharing, Clif, WXRT FM, REI, Sierra Mist Natural, Whole Foods Markets and Goose Island Beer Co.

ABOUT THE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE
The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America's largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

ABOUT MB FINANCIAL BANK
MB Financial Bank is a locally operated financial institution that has been delivering competitive personalized service for 100 years to businesses and individuals who live and work in the Chicago metropolitan area. MB has nearly 90 locations throughout the Chicagoland area.

MB Financial Bank is the Illinois local operating unit of MB Financial, Inc., a financial services holding company which is traded on the NASDAQ as "MBFI." MB Financial, based in Chicago, has more than $10 billion in assets. Information about MB Financial can be found at www.mbfinancial.com.