Wheels, Clay & Community: Ravenswood's New Protected Bike Lanes Lead to a Hidden Creative Gem

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Ravenswood · August 7, 2026

Ravenswood's streets just got a whole lot more rideable — and a whole lot more interesting. The neighborhood's newly-installed protected bike lanes on Clark Street are already making waves, giving cyclists a safer, smoother path through one of the area's most vibrant corridors. And what better way to break them in than with a community ride that ends at a true local creative treasure?

Tucked inside Ravenswood's iconic industrial corridor is Chicago Clay Co-Op, a community-based ceramics studio founded to bridge the gap between aspiring and experienced ceramicists. Co-founders Jen and Michael have built a welcoming, hands-on creative space where neighbors of all skill levels can throw pots, glaze tiles, and connect over a shared love of the craft — exactly the kind of homegrown gem that makes Ravenswood's arts scene so special. The studio was spotlighted this week as a featured stop on the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce's Community Bike Tour on August 8th, putting it on the radar of countless new neighbors for the first time.

Bonus: the bike tour itself is a pay-what-you-can event, with proceeds going to the Chaddick Institute's Riley O'Neill Memorial Fund — supporting fellowships, scholarships, and research around sustainable urban development and safer cities. Whether you're clipping in for the ride or just looking for your next creative outlet, now is the perfect time to explore Ravenswood on two wheels and discover what's thriving along Clark Street. Visit ravenswoodchicago.org to learn more!

Sources:
1. https://ravenswoodchicago.org/bikeride2026/
2. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/08/03/14-things-to-do-outside-in-chicago-in-august/