MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive would not be possible without the countless hours of volunteer support. We have plenty of roles and positions available, so take your pick.
Review the descriptions below and then sign up for your top THREE choices. (Volunteer registration opens on Friday, February 17.)
Group volunteering opportunities are also available. Contact christine@activetrans.org for more information.
Pre-event volunteers who work six hours or more receive a complimentary registration.
Wednesday volunteer nights
Work with other volunteers at our office to help prepare materials and supplies for the event. Meet on select Wednesday evenings to help process registrations, stuff envelopes, pack supplies and complete other tasks.
Packet pick up
Help distribute T-shirts and rider materials to participants at several downtown and suburban locations during day and evening hours from Wednesday, May 16 through Saturday, May 26.
Join our hard-working set-up crew Saturday, May 26 (the day before the event) as they set up tables, arrange T-shirt boxes, hang signs and unload trucks. This position requires lifting and/or manual labor.
Outreach
Be a bike messenger for a day (or two) and help distribute information to large residential buildings along the lakefront.
Daytime office help
Help keep our office running smoothly during this busy time by answering phones, registration data entry and other administrative tasks.
Day-of-event volunteers receive a complimentary breakfast, a MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive volunteer T-shirt and are included in the volunteer raffle. All day-of volunteers are required to attend one volunteer orientation session. All on-bike volunteers must wear a helmet.
Course marshal
Be in the center of the action! Join a team that gives riders encouragement and directs them safely along the course. Course marshal teams are stationed along the entire length of Lake Shore Drive and communicate with volunteer managers.
Ride marshal
Cyclists with bike repair and first aid experience are needed to patrol the route, fix flat tires and encourage safe bicycling among event participants.
Green Team Marshals
With 20,000 riders eating 20,000 bananas and apples, you can help divert thousands of pounds from the landfill! Green Team Marshals observe and instruct riders to separate waste into composting, recycling, and trash bins. Replace trash bags with empty ones.
Volunteer accommodations
The volunteer accommodations team rides along with participants to check on the volunteers along the route replenishing water and supplies, and communicating event updates.
Rest stops
Be part of a team that sets up a rest stop and energizes participants with fruit, snacks and water. Volunteers may check in and out directly at their rest stop location. This is an ideal group volunteer opportunity.
Help our participants enjoy the experience. Volunteers are needed to help with final set-up duties, day-of registration, bike valet, T-shirt and rider material distribution and more. Positions for the early shift (4 a.m.-8:30 a.m.) and the late shift (8:30a.m.-1 p.m.) are available.
Reunion team volunteers
Work as part of a team to reunite lost riders. On-bike and stationary positions are available.
SAG support
We need safe drivers to help transport participants and bikes that break down during the ride. Only safe drivers need apply. We will even supply the car if you don’t have one.
Event and signage breakdown
Join our hard-working breakdown crew after the event on Sunday, May 27. Bring some fresh energy to our exhausted teams as we collect signs from the festival area and along Lake Shore Drive, break down tables, repack supplies and load boxes onto trucks.
Do you have a special skill that you think would be useful? Or do you need more information? Call Christine at 312.427.3325 x223 or e-mail christine@activetrans.org.
We offer a $200 donation for charitable or community organizations that provide groups of 15 or more volunteers for the day of the event. Groups are urged to register early because space is limited! Contact Christine at 312.427.3325 x223 or e-mail christine@activetrans.org to confirm. Qualify for the donation by completing a group contact sheet by the deadline and having at least one group member attend a volunteer training session.
RSVP to the official event on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and use #bikethedrive