Ben Gomberg, Bicycle Program Coordinator, Chicago Department of Transportation

1) How/when did you get into cycling as a profession?

I've always thought that bicycling was a great way to get around cities. In 1993, while working as a city planner for the city of London, Ontario, I spearheaded, as a volunteer, 10 bike projects, including producing a bike map, getting a $3 million bike path constructed, drafting a bike plan, and installing bike racks and signage. I totally loved this work, so I started to look for a job where I could combine my passion for improving conditions for bicycling with my skills as an urban planner. One of the luckiest things in my life was getting the job to become Chicago's first bicycle program coordinator in 1996.

2) How does your organization directly benefit cyclists?

I work for the Chicago Department of Transportation (“CDOT”), the city agency responsible for our city's roads. Almost all of CDOT's work affects cycling. So I try, with some success, to change the culture at CDOT, so that bicycling is considered in all our projects. For example, bike lanes are now often established when roads are resurfaced and bridges replaced/rebuilt (e.g., the new Halsted Street bridge). Most of our streetscaping projects provide on-street bikeways and bike parking. CDOT is also spearheading exciting new trails, including the Navy Pier Flyover and the planning and engineering of the Bloomingdale Trail.

3) Do you specialize in a certain type of cycling?

I lead a team of engineers and planners in developing new on-street bikeways (e.g., bike lanes and shared use lanes). Other responsibilities include managing staff that arrange bike parking installation, and stage education and enforcement campaigns.

4) What are your "must-have" items for cycling (this could be a tool, an accessory, a food, etc.)

A rear-view mirror, so that I can see what's coming from behind - a car coming too close to me or a bike about to pass - and adjust my riding accordingly. And, of course, a bike helmet.

5) What do you see as the biggest area of opportunity in your niche market?

Establishing a bike-sharing program in Chicago. These programs, in more than 200 cities worldwide, provide bikes that can be used for free for 30 minutes. Lots of people who don't bike, start to, and fewer people drive cars.

6) How do you think the cycling community has changed in the last year or two?

There's no question that more and more people are biking. For example, back in 1996 it was a little lonely for me biking down Milwaukee to work. Now it's often a parade with hundreds of cyclists riding downtown. That said, we've a lot more work to do "to increase bicycle use, so that 5 percent of all trips less than 5 miles are by bicycle," a key goal of the city's Bike 2015 Plan.

AND FINALLY…

7) If you could go on a bike ride with anyone (living or dead), who would it be?'

I'd go on a bike tour with my dad (still biking at 85!), my brother Avi, my late brother Tooker, and my two-year old twins. We wouldn't go far or fast, but we'd have a lot of fun! 

***Ben's twins have a cameo in this Bike Safety video!