Velociped.es
Bicycling directions for your next ride.
desktop | tablet | phone
Route By Address
The More button allows you to enter two stops along the way to your final destination, and also enter a place to Look for along the way, such as a 'coffee' or 'bike repair' . We even check the hours of operation (if available via Google) to see if it is currently open. Don't forget to click the Route button.
Tip: Enter the same address in Start and Finish, click More, then enter destinations in the Stop #1 and Stop #2 to create a circular route for a round trip.
Click/Touch Routing
Click on the Map buttons next to the Start, Stop #1, Stop #2, or Finish input boxes, then click on the map to fill them in.
Reroute
On non-touch devices, such as laptops and desktops, you may customize your route by dragging and dropping the route line on the map.
Save This Route
Click on the Save Route button and we will store this route and show you a unique URL so you may see your route later and share.
Directions
After clicking the Route button, use the Show Directions button to show an all directions from Start to Finish.
Turn-By-Turn Directions
After clicking the Route button, use the Step-By-Step button to expose turn-by-turn directions. Your chosen route's total distance is initially displayed in the colored directions box, and permanently in the upper right of the map. Use the Start, Back, Next, and End buttons to navigate through each turn. On each step, you will see all bike racks (symbolized with a bike u-lock) in the area of the end of the step. Click on the symbol to see the address and number of City-installed racks.
Pan/Zoom
A checkbox to activate or disable pan and zoom is located above the map. Pan and zoom are disabled by default on touch devices. Some users find it difficult to use their touch devices when a map's pan and zoom features are active.
Bike Route Legend
| Route Type | Pattern & Color |
|---|---|
| City of Chicago marked | Thick dark green |
| City of Chicago recommended | Thick light green |
| Google reported | Thin black |
| Google recommended | Thin dashed black |
Notes
Velociped.es does not guarantee the bike-worthiness of any route. This is Chicago; road conditions and street closures are highly unpredictable. Use common sense and your best judgement.
There are more bike racks in the Chicago than presented here. Others may be installed by City agencies other than the Department of Transporation (CDOT), such as the Park District or the CTA. There are many bike racks also installed by private entities.
Chicago traffic may be highly unpredictable. Motor vehicles, fellow cyclists, and pedestrians too often "come out of nowhere." Therefore, Velociped.es recommend every rider to follow the rules of the road such as stopping at all stop lights and signs, even when you see others riding through. Ride with traffic when bike lanes are not available. Do not ride against traffic, on sidewalks, or in the "door zone". Ride predictably. Respect your fellow travellers. Velociped.es encourages helmet wearing. Be aware of your surroundings and ride safe.
Velociped.es
is a free Chicago bike routing application that enhances the Google Maps bike route tool by integrating the official City of Chicago marked and recommended bicycling routes. We also map all City of Chicago Department of Transportation installed bike racks along your route and near your destination.
Tom Kompare
I am a former long-distance bicyclist who has recently re-entered the bicycling world. I am a web programmer, dad, geographer, historian, ecologist, and urban philosopher. Not necessarily in that order. I am active in the open government movement. Velociped.es is the result of the combination of my passion for maps, bicycles, open government data, and the internet.
I hope you love Velociped.es as much as I love creating it. Let me know.