Break The Gridlock!

Our second unHappy Hour will happen on Sepember 15th, 2010, 7pm at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 North Western (at Fullerton).

Our last event (our very first) successfully brought people together to hear speakers and engage each other in a social setting.  We're looking forward to growing on that success.

This month, we'll be welcoming Break The Gridlock Member Organization Bike Winter.  We will talk about how all season riding fits into overall efforts to promote car-freedom and share tips for convincing others to stay in the saddle year round.

Think of this as a "train the trainer" event. Veteran Bike Winter hucksters will demonstrate different strategies for getting your friends, co-workers and strangers in the check-out line to keep rolling as the temps drop. Content (what do I say?) and delivery (how do I say it?) will be addressed.

Participants will leave with a BW starter promo kit, including stickers from past years, spare gaitors to hand out to other faltering cyclists, and notes for future reference. And, there will be a quiz!

Bike Winterites will also share quick tips for braving the cold, wet, windy days of fall. Remember: Bike Fall is harder than Bike Winter. More on Bike Fall and planning BW events (and the unveiling of the 2011 sticker!) will be at the 9/22 kick off meeting--right after the car-free day rally.

The presentation/formal discussion will start at 7pm and last about an hour. People are encouraged to stick around afterwards to mingle and scheme.

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The unHappyHour is Break The Gridlock's bi-monthly social event seeking to bring together those interested in BTG's mission to reduce automobile dependency.  Each event will generally start with short presentations followed by unstructured time where participants can come together, hear short presentations, and discuss Chicago's growing Appropriate Transportation movement. We are unhappy with the state of Chicago's transportation networks, but optimistic that we can make them better!

No RSVP is necessary.

The first unHappy Hour event last night brought out about 30 activists. 

Attendees were treated to a presentation by Jason Rothstein on his new book Carless In Chicago.  Jason outlined many of the bullet points about why and how people choose to go car-free.  After the event, Jason was on-hand to sell and sign copies of his book.  Break The Gridlock bought five copies for the BTG Library.

The first Break The Gridlock unHappy Hour will take place on July 21st, 2010 from 7:00pm to 9pm at Quenchers Saloon at 2401 North Western (at Fullerton).

This month's featured speakers:

• Jason Rothstein, author of the new book Carless In Chicago,will speak about his book and car-free Living

• Update! Julie Dworkin, Albany Home Zone project leader (and resident) will discuss the Home Zone and where the project stands.

Download a 4-up flyer for this event.

The unHappyHour is Break The Gridlock's bi-monthly social event seeking to bring together those interested in BTG's mission to reduce automobile dependency.  Each event will generally start with short presentations followed by unstructured time where participants can come together, hear short presentations, and discuss Chicago's growing Appropriate Transportation movement.

No RSVP is necessary.

Break the Gridlock is sponsoring a semi-formal discussion relating to getting "our" message out to the media, at the New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western Ave, on Thursday May 29 from 7 to 9 PM.

The discussion is borne of recent media focus on the safety of cycling in Chicago, and will center around how to speak to media to assure our message comes across and avoid being misquoted or misconstrued. We will have Margo O'Hara, communications director of CBF as well as other guests.

On Feb 8th, 2008 Break The Gridlock will be hosting it's first Show And Tell of 2008.

Friday, February 8th, 2008 7pm - midnight Bloom Inn, 2418 W Bloomingdale Ave [map] Directions & Bike Parking

Free Beer & Food
(compliments of the Velorution Brewing Collective & BTG)

The 100th Anniversary of the Chicago Auto Show opens Friday, and over a million Chicagoans will be attending the week long showcase of America's reckless obsession with the automobile. Sounds like the perfect time to ignore the hype and create a forum for individuals looking for "Appropriate Transportation" solutions.

Why "Appropriate Transportation"? For too long have we used the term "alternative transportation" to describe our for a more sane culture of transportation for Chicago (i.e. cycling, walking, public transportation). This unfairly casts modes of transportation outside of the private automobile to the fringe, when in fact we're trying to make the city better for everyone, hence "appropriate".

BTG's Show & Tell Night is designed to let grassroots appropriate transportation activists and advocates share what they are up to and exchange ideas. We also encourage new commuting cyclists, pedestrians, and public transportation devotees to join us; there are many ways to take your desire for a Car-Free Chicago to the next level in 2008 - GET ACTIVE!

Participation is FREE and refreshments will be provided.

Tentative schedule includes:

• West Town Bikes
• College of Cycling
• Chicago Women on Bikes
• Chicago Green Ride 2008
• Local depaving efforts, including news on (PARK)ing Day 2008 & Burnham Plan Centennial Bike Tour 2009
• The Auto Show Shutdown Festival (happening the next day!)
• Mr Bike seeks to learn whether and how attendees want to learn about the workings (and non-workings) of their governments.
• Harry Wray, Professor of Political Science, DePaul University Author of Pedal Power: The Quiet Rise of the Bicycle in American Public Life

Download 2-up Flyer