As part of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s commitment to supporting innovative community investments, the Mayor helped open the new Bike Park by WeWork today in the growing Fulton Market District. This new bike park offers Chicagoans a place to store and service theirs bicycles, in addition to providing lockers and showers, and builds on the growing transit investments that have contributed to the neighborhood’s economic growth.

“Community investments like Bike Park by WeWork help grow our economy and move our city forward,” the Mayor said. “The bike park will connect more residents to more parts of our city, build on the numerous transit options in the area, and contribute to the economic growth in the Fulton Market District.”

The opening of the bike park further illustrates the link between transit investment and economic development. In the three years since the reopening of the CTA’s elevated Morgan station in the Fulton Market District, the number of business licenses issued within a ½ mile of the station jumped around 13 percent. Furthermore, the number of new construction and demolition permits jumped more than 400 percent. The new bike park will help build on these investments.

Today’s announcement is also part of the Mayor’s efforts to make Chicago one of the most bike-friendly cities in America. Last week, Mayor Emanuel announced that the city has surpassed its commitment to completing more than 100 miles of protected bike lanes across the city, and will build 50 miles of more lanes. That’s because biking is more than a form of exercise and recreation, it’s also a viable transportation option that supports our economy and environment.

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