Chicago's bike-friendly neighborhoods: Roscoe Village

Roscoe Village Bikes (chicagobikeshops.info)

(2nd in a series on Chicago's bike-friendly neighborhoods.  Previously covered: Logan Square.)

Roscoe Village.

Centered around the intersection Damen and Roscoe, this neighborhood seems on the surface to be somewhat bland and generic.   Gap-clad ex-trixies and chads push their baby strollers between gawdy out-of-place condos, high-end vintage clothing shops, American-contempory bistros, and the Irish bars on seemingly every corner.  In some respects, Roscoe Village's incredibly rapid gentrification made it the quiet and grown-up retreat for Lincoln Park's 90's crowd.

Yet much remains of it's old heritage, and admittedly, the gentrification has brought many desirable changes to this northside 'hood.  Including its conveniently located and very popular LBS.

Roscoe Village Bikes is home to the local cycling team, Spidermonkey.  As such the clientel is a mix of roadies and commuters.  Retrofitted into a former store, the shop is actually quite large, and sells a wide mix of products and bikes for both crowds.  A local ride leaves the shop every Saturday morning at 8am.

The area is dynamic and vibrant as it is quiet and unassuming.  Ginger's Ale House on the east border at Ashland is packed with "futbol" fans on weekend mornings, and the heart the neighborhood, down Roscoe, has wine bars, brunch joints, cafes, bistros, and sushi restaurants practically on top of each other.  Even realizing some of the holdover bars from the 80's and earlier, such as Four Treys and the Village Tap are as popular as ever, it's hard to believe that the Village Discount just west of Damen is still open. 

Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are within easy range for a twice weekly trip by bike and that seems to give this area a critical mass, cycling speaking.  Bike lanes and bike friendly streets lead in every direction, and all are heavily traveled.  Most drivers in the area are completely accustomed to cyclists and confrontations with motorists are rare.  Damen serves as a major artery for almost all local team rides, and legions of spandex-clad pacelines are seen every weekend headed north to the burbs.

Streets for cycling

Damen Ave:
• North to North Center, Ravenswood, Uptown, Edgewater and beyond
• South to Bucktown, Wicker Park, West Town, West Loop, United Center, Southside

Roscoe:
• West to Western, Belmont Craigin
• East to Lakeview, Boystown

Belmont/Addison:
• West to Avondale, Belmont Craigin
• East to Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Lakefront Path

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