Bike to the Biz supports local businesses during Renew the Avenue
Published on June 29, 2026
The Village of Oak Park is asking local cycling and walking groups in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and Chicago’s adjoining Austin neighborhood to pedal and walk to local businesses in a new campaign: Bike to the Biz.
The campaign will include colorful signage and enhanced, clearly marked, convenient bike parking in special corrals north and south of the main construction area.
The Hemingway Business District will launch and support a Bike to the Biz promotion that offers bikers and visitors a monthly way to win $250 in Biker Buck certificates redeemable at participating Hemingway District stores and eateries, plus at three Oak Park bike shops: Wheel & Sprocket, Bike Fix and Barnard’s Schwinn Cycling.
The promotion kicks off July 1 and continues through October 31. Click here for more details. Organizers of Bike to the Biz will distribute information at multiple outdoor events throughout the summer months including the ever-popular Oak Park Farmers' Market and at Thursday Night Out events.
Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 80KB)
Cyclists have always been welcome, with multiple bike rack locations and more than 150 spots throughout the Hemingway District. Two new bike corrals will add even more new bike spaces to welcome visitors, shoppers and diners from Oak Park and nearby areas.
“Our doors are open every day to welcome customers and residents,” explained Moses Valdez, President of the Hemingway Business District and co-owner of Selleria Veneta. “Bike to the Biz asks our neighbors to support us during this challenging time. Riders and walkers can take advantage of great summer and fall weather to meet friends for meals, drinks, snacks or shopping. It’s also a great idea to bike to business meetings and medical or dental appointments in the district.”
Oak Park Avenue remains closed to vehicle traffic through November throughout Oak Park Avenue from Pleasant to Lake Streets. Construction for the Renew the Avenue (RTA) project kicked off six weeks early in January 2026 and is on track for completion by Thanksgiving – just in time for the holiday shopping season.
The comprehensive infrastructure project includes removal and replacement of century-old water main and sewer services; repaved roadways, curbs, gutters and sidewalks; and a reimagined streetscape with new brick pavers, lighting, signage, landscaping, electric vehicle charging stations and fiber optic cable upgrades.
Two block-long sections of Oak Park Avenue, from Randolph to Pleasant and Lake to Ontario streets, reopened to traffic June 12.
Lake Street has been and will remain open to traffic throughout the entire project. Construction also has not affected access to the Oak Park Avenue station of the CTA Green Line.
The Village of Oak Park worked with businesses and residents throughout the Hemingway Business District for several years in anticipation of the construction. This included matching grants, dedicated, customer-centric outreach, and upfront, ongoing communications via a project website.
To keep current with construction developments, local residents are welcome to subscribe to Renew the Avenue weekly email updates and visit the Hemingway District website to stay current with special promotions.
About Oak Park -The Village of Oak Park, located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago, offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community. Well-known for progressive values, tree-lined streets and bustling business districts, Oak Park serves as an ideal place to live, work and play. As a longstanding community of choice, the Village benefits from convenient access to local and regional transit, high-quality public schools, and arts and cultural attractions, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio and his acclaimed Unity Temple, which was recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.