CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MB Financial Bank renewed its title sponsorship of the Active Transportation Alliance’s signature fundraising event, Bike the Drive, for 2012 and 2013 with an option to extend the sponsorship an additional year to 2014.
MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive is one of the nation’s largest—and most loved—car-free bike rides. Each year on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, more than 20,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities ride Lakeshore Drive, Chicago’s iconic roadway along Lake Michigan. Participants enjoy an unparalleled view of Chicago’s lakefront and a memorable day of camaraderie with their friends, family and many thousands of other bicyclists.
“As part of our 100-year anniversary celebration, we are renewing our commitment to this wonderful bike ride. We’re proud of our title sponsorship of Bike the Drive,” said Mitch Feiger, president of MB Financial Bank. “We look forward to continuing to support the important work carried out by the Active Transportation Alliance.”
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with MB Financial Bank, a local company that has proven its dedication to healthy and safe transportation,” said the Active Transportation Alliance’s Executive Director Ron Burke. “We couldn’t ask for a better sponsor to support our event. Because of sponsors like MB Financial Bank, we’re able to work in more Chicagoland communities, making them safer and more inviting for people to walk, bike and use transit.”
Bike the Drive offers an unparalleled urban cycling experience. While pedaling along the shoreline and enjoying stellar views of the Chicago skyline, participants are invited to give their legs a break at rest stops along the route. There’s also a post-ride festival at Butler Field in Grant Park, where participants can enjoy a hearty breakfast and live music.
Registration for the 2012 MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive will open on Winter Bike to Work Day—January 20. Participants can register at special rate of $32 ($27 for Active Trans members) at www.bikethedrive.org until February 2, after which time the prices begin to increase.
MB Financial Bank’s naming sponsorship of Bike the Drive will be the Active Transportation Alliance’s most substantial sponsorship relationship during the 2012 fiscal year. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for Active Trans’ other programs and events, including the popular Bike Valet operation, which securely parks thousands of bikes free of charge at MB Financial Bank Bike the Drive, as well as many of the summer’s largest events and festivals.
ABOUT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE
The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel.
The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.
ABOUT MB FINANCIAL BANK
MB Financial Bank is a locally-operated financial institution that has been delivering competitive personalized service for 100 years to businesses and individuals who live and work in the Chicago metropolitan area. MB has 90 locations throughout the Chicagoland area.
MB Financial Bank is the Illinois local operating unit of MB Financial, Inc., a financial services holding company which is traded on the NASDAQ as "MBFI." MB Financial, based in Chicago, has approximately $10 billion in assets. Information about MB Financial can be found at www.mbfinancial.com.
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