Released May 11, 2010

Contact:
Margo O’Hara
312.427.3325 x224
margo@activetrans.org

Home-Hunting by Bike events rolling through suburbs

Homebuyers looking for a sustainable, active lifestyle in Chicago’s suburbs will have the opportunity to find that perfect house by bike through two Home-Hunting by Bike events.

The events will highlight two suburban communities – Homewood and Oak Park – that offer good public transportation options, and easy biking and walking access to local schools, businesses, churches, parks and other necessities. Both events are sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance in partnership with local realtors and businesses.

The inaugural events will take place in Homewood on Saturday, June 19, and Oak Park on Sunday, June 13. The bike tours will include maps featuring open houses, local businesses, schools, parks, transit and other amenities.

“A neighborhood great to ride in is a neighborhood great to buy in!” said Active Trans Southland Coordinator Steve Buchtel. “Search for neighborhoods with good home values, school districts, and walking/biking connections to the things you need, and you get the American Dream without the rude awakening of weight gain, traffic headaches, and dollars down the tank.”

In Oak Park, participants can visit as many homes as they like at their own pace. Realtors at the open houses will hand out tickets to cyclists. Participants with four tickets can exchange them for a gift or coupon from a local business.

In Homewood, cycling experts from Active Trans will be on hand to help lead small group rides. The tour begins and ends at the Homewood Art Festival, culminating in a luncheon. Register at www.activetrans.org/homewoodgreenstreets.

Even if you’re not looking to purchase a home in the near future, these events promise to be fun rides, offering the rare chance to peek inside local houses.

House-Hunting by Bike in Homewood
When: June 19, 2010, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register at activetrans.org/greenstreets. Registration deadline is 5 p.m., June 11.
What: Tour a mapped route through Homewood with other homebuyers. Maps will highlight up to five homes in a range of prices currently on the market, as well as village parks, schools and amenities. Total tour time: 2-3 hours.
Where: The tour begins and ends at the Homewood Art Festival on Martin Avenue and Ridge Road (one block east of the Homewood Metra Station - bring your bike on the train!). Homewood is located about 25 miles south of the Loop.
Who: Active Transportation Alliance and the Village of Homewood.
How it works: Real estate agents will host showings at each stop, and “score cards” will include listing information for each house so you can follow up on your favorite homes. Enjoy a hosted luncheon after the tour at the art festival.

House-Hunting by Bike in Oak Park
When: June 13, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (No pre-registration needed.)
What: Take a bike tour visiting homes for sale in Oak Park. Participants use a map to take the self-guided tour.
Where: Check in at the Pasta Shoppe & Café at 116 North Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park. This is where you pick up a map of the homes that are participating.
How it works: Participants pick up one ticket at each home. If you bring back four tickets to the Pasta Shoppe after the tour, you’ll get a coupon for a local store or restaurant.
Who: Active Transportation Alliance is co-sponsoring the event with the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors and the Oak Park Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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.

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