PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

Well folks, we have yet another sign that it truly is spring – the Wendella Water Taxis are back in service! Yep, the water is finally thawed enough for people to take a fun, quick ride on the river from one part of the Loop to the other at a price that can’t be beat - $2! Why take a regular taxi from Ogilve station when you can have more fun doing this? And when the traffic is bad (and when is it ever really good?), it can even end up being an overall faster commute! Just be sure to zip up, because it’s always cooler along the river.

Of course, there are lots of other ways to get around town that it seems only tourists take advantage of. In the summer, the free trolley service Chicago offers can get you away from one stop to another all over the Loop and beyond. Sure, they’re notreal trolleys, since they run on fuel, but the antique styled wooden benches and the open windows sure is a much more pleasant commute than riding the bus! And hey, you might even learn something new from the driver! Many people who work downtown will find a stop right in front of their buildings that will drop them off by many L train stops and other businesses; it can really save your feet when you need to run an errand! And just so you know, there is one free trolley that runs year round that heads up to Navy Pier. So if that’s your destination, hop on board.

Also, more and more people are taking advantage of the city being much more bike friendly. In case you haven’t noticed, almost all of the main streets are now marked off for bikes, so the fear of not having designated space is a lot more diminished. In fact, new laws have been passed for riders’ safety, so be sure to check out Chicago Bikes for more information. You may even have noticed that there are more bike racks springing up all over the place, and many business owners are now allowing their employees to bring their bikes inside. After all, encouraging bike riding equates to healthier and timelier employees! And don’t forget, as long as it’s not rush hour, you can even board a bus or train with your bike nowadays – just be sure to oblige by the rules.