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Bike the Drive logoVolunteer for MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive

IMPORTANT: You are a confirmed event volunteer only if you are contacted by the Event Volunteer Manager

We have plenty of roles and positions for you, so take your pick. Remember: all day-of-event positions require that you attend at least one volunteer orientation.

Please be sure to choose only your TOP THREE positions.

Have fun and get these fab treats:

  • Volunteer T-shirt
  • Free pancake breakfast at the post-ride festival in Grant Park's Butler Field
  • Invitation to our annual volunteer appreciation party
  • Day-of-event volunteer groups may be eligible for a donation
  • Pre-event volunteers can trade volunteer hours for an event registration
Your contact Information

Mandatory for day-of-event volunteers

Pre-Event volunteer opportunities

Pre-event volunteers who work a minimum of 6 hours receive a complimentary registration

Work with other volunteers at our office to help prepare materials and supplies for the event. Meet on select Wednesday evenings from 5 to 8 to help process registrations, stuff envelopes, pack supplies and complete other tasks. This position may require light lifting and/or other manual labor. Check this box to RSVP.

Help distribute T-shirts and rider numbers to participants at several downtown and suburban locations during day and evening hours from Saturday, May 15 through Saturday, May 29. Our greatest volunteer need is Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 27 – 29 at the Merchandise Mart location in Chicago.

Join our hard-working set-up crew Saturday, May 29 (the day before the event). Help set up tables, arrange T-shirt boxes, hang signs and unload trucks. This position requires lifting and/or manual labor. Participants may select one or both of the setup shifts (early at Active Transportation Alliance office, and later at the ride start/finish area in Grant Park). Please note: Early shift workers are asked to move with us (by bike, on foot or on transit) from the Active Trans office at 9 W. Hubbard St. to the festival location in Butler Field at Jackson and Columbus for load-out.

Be a bike messenger for a day (or two) and help distribute information to large residential buildings along the lakefront on Saturday, May 8 and Saturday, May 15.

Help keep our office running smoothly during this busy time by answering phones and managing administrative projects. Daytime shifts begin Monday, May 10.

If you're interested in daytime office volunteering, please list the days and times that you are available.

Day-Of-Event volunteer opportunities

Day-of-event volunteers receive a complimentary breakfast, a Bike the Drive volunteer T-shirt and inclusion in the volunteer raffle. All day-of-event volunteers are required to attend one volunteer orientation. All on-bike volunteers are required to wear a helmet.

4:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Be in the center of the action! Join a team that gives riders encouragement and directs them safely along the course. Course marshal teams are stationed along the entire length of Lake Shore Drive and communicate with volunteer managers. Bring your bike if you can (helmet is required) so you can go to different locations if needed. Volunteers must attend one volunteer orientation session.

4:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.Cyclists with bike repair and first aid experience are needed to patrol the route, fix flat tires and encourage safe bicycling among event participants. Helmets are required for this position. Ride marshal volunteers are chosen based on experience. Attending one volunteer orientation is required.

4:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.The Volunteer Accommodations Team rides along with participants to check on the volunteers along the route providing water refills, replenishing or materials and communicate event updates. Accommodation Team members are asked to bring their own bicycle trailer to carry supplies. Helmets are required. Volunteers must attend one volunteer orientation session.

4:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Be part of a team that sets up a rest stop and energizes participants with fruit, snacks and water. Volunteers may check in and out directly at their rest stop location. This is an ideal group volunteer opportunity. Volunteers must attend one volunteer orientation session.

Help our participants enjoy their car-free experience. Volunteers are needed to help with final set up duties, day-of registration, T-shirt and rider number distribution and more. Plenty of positions during the early shift (about 4-8 a.m.) and the late shift (8 a.m-noon) are available. Please note: Volunteers must attend one volunteer orientation session.

Work as part of a team to reunite lost riders. On-bike and stationary positions are available. Experience in working closely with children or medical knowledge is a plus, but not necessary. Helmets are required for this position. Volunteers must attend one volunteer orientation session.

We need safe drivers to help participants and bikes that break down during the ride. Only safe drivers need apply. Don't have a car? We have vehicles that need safe drivers. Volunteers must attend one volunteer orientation session.

Join our hard-working breakdown crew after the event on Sunday, May 30. Bring some fresh energy to our exhausted teams as we collect signs from the festival area and along Lake Shore Drive, break down tables, repack supplies and load boxes onto trucks. This position will require lifting and/or manual labor. If possible breakdown volunteers would travel (walk, bike) with us from the festival area back to Active Trans office to unload. This position does not require volunteer training attendance.

Volunteer Waiver

"I promise not to bite off more than I can chew and to finish all that I bite off."

I volunteer my services to the Active Transportation Alliance. These services are performed by my own free choice.

I agree to fulfill my volunteer responsibilities to the best of my ability and to abide by the safety and work standards established by the Active Transportation Alliance.

I understand that there are some risks involved in my volunteer assignment and I will study, understand and avoid any and all dangers. I will NOT accept any work assignment for which I feel I am not qualified or prepared.

I understand that I am going to have fun, work hard and make a difference! I am ready to learn more about the program. I understand that pictures of me taken while volunteering may be used in brochures, videos, etc. I grant permission for the use of my name and/or likeness relating to my participation and I waive all rights to any future compensation to which I may be entitled as a result of the use of my name or likeness.

I indemnify and hold harmless the Active Transportation Alliance, the City of Chicago, and the Chicago Park District from any and all claims made or liabilities assessed against them as a result of (i) my actions, inactions or negligence, (ii) the actions, inactions or negligence of the Active Trans Parties and others hereby indemnified, (iii) the conditions of the facilities, equipment or areas where the Bicycling is being conducted and (iv) any other harm, injury or damage caused by an occurrence related to or during Bicycling through or involving Active Trans.

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