Family biking . . . limitless fun, but extremely overwhelming at the start, especially for city dwellers. This is why we’re introducing you to Four Star Family Cyclery bike rentals. Whether you want to purchase or borrow an insanely fun cargo bike, they’re here to show you the simplicity of life by bike in a way that removes the intimidation factor. Read on and confidently hit the streets with Four Star Family Cyclery.

 

Four Star Cyclery’s Mission

This local mom-owned business, launched by Elsbeth Cool, rolled into Logan Square with a mission of providing innovative and functional urban transportation for families. Four Star Cyclery knows those first rides for city parents can be a bit unnerving. As a result, they want to help parents imagine and experience what life with a family bicycle can be by offering flexible rentals of the best cycling products on the market. For those who are already comfortable with the idea, or renters who fall in love, you also have the option to purchase.

Four Star Cyclery’s Offerings

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Liveside Media via Four Star Family Cyclery

Four Star operates on a concierge service model. This means they offer consultations to assist parents in selecting which bike setup and accompanying accessories best meet their unique needs and budget. Also included is one-on-one coaching sessions to acclimate riders to large cargo bikes and navigating urban streets with young riders. Since they know this is a financial commitment, they allow a test ride before investing. They also have a team of trained mechanics who can make house calls for basic service needs . . . selling point numero uno for anyone who's had to stuff a large bike in the back of an SUV for service.

The Rentals

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Liveside Media via Four Star Family Cyclery

Cargo bikes are no small change, so you're encouraged to give them a go before dropping the dough. Check out their website to scope out the rental options. All bikes come equipped with locks, lights and there are helmets available for the whole family.

Photo: Kidical Mass

Become a Part of the Biking Community

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Elsbeth also co-founded a very active grassroots community group called Chicago Family Biking, which organizes family-focused events, like Kidical Mass rides, advocates for safer streets and offers educational resources for families interested in biking. The Educational section of their website includes information on choosing a bike helmet, Chicago bike maps, riding with children and more. To get involved now, follow their Facebook page to stay on top of scheduled events. 

Four Star Family Cyclery
Logan Square
Online: fourstarfamilycyclery.com

— Maria Chambers

RELATED LINKS:
Biking with Kids: The 11 Best Family Cargo Bikes

Unless otherwise noted, photos provided courtesy of Liveside Media via Four Star Family Cyclery

Ella Casano isn’t what you’d expect from a typical teenager. The 13-year-old is the brains, and heart, behind Medi Teddy—a stuffed animal pouch that cutely conceals an IV bag.

Casano was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, or ITP, when she was seven-years-old. ITP causes the body to destroy platelets in the blood. While some children outgrow the disease, Casano didn’t. This means the now-13-year-old needs to spend one day every eight weeks in an outpatient clinic getting an IV infusion.

No stranger to IVs, Casano understand the fear and intimidation young patients often feel around these bags. The teddy bear bag covers cleverly camouflage the bags, while still making it possible for parents and medical staff to see the medication or blood products inside (each Medi Teddy has a mesh back).

Not only did Casano invent the Medi Teddy, but the 13-year-old also set out to help children—for free! Casano and her family started a Meddy Tedi GoFundMe fundraiser last summer to raise money for the first order of 500 bears. Instead of directly selling all the products, Casano decided to donate the teddy bear bag covers to children in need.

Even though the initial fundraiser had a $5,000 goal, the Medi Teddy GoFundMe campaign has raised over $24,500! Along with the fundraising campaign, Medi Teddy is now a registered 501(c)3 public charity that accepts donations.

If you would like to help Casano and her cause, visit the Medi Teddy GoFundMe page or the Medi Teddy charity site. To order a Medi Teddy for your child or children in need, visit Medi Teddy’s site here. Families in need can get one free donated Medi Teddy from the charity’s site too.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Laura Barr Photography

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Leave it to the geniuses behind NoseFrida to comes up with a line of postpartum care products designed to help new moms with pain and comfort after labor.

Frida Mom is a new line of postpartum products from Frida, the company behind the wildly popular NoseFrida SnotSucker. Moms are armed with mesh underwear and giant pads after giving birth, but other than that the focus tends to be on baby care and not mom care post birth––until now. Frida Mom is putting the spotlight on what women need to heal and recuperate after birth.

The new Frida Mom line includes an upside down peri bottle, 2-in-1 instant ice maxi pads, witch hazel pad liners, perineal healing foam, mesh underwear for vaginal and c-section deliveries, a delivery and nursing gown and two hospital essential kits.

photo: Courtesy of Amazon

“The problem with postpartum recovery begins with a woman’s lack of knowledge and ability to prepare for what’s really about to go down. The intimidation factor, before, during and after, is debilitating,” says Chelsea Hirschhorn, mom of three and CEO of Frida in a news release. “Then you’re expected to tend to a newborn in between concocting ice remedies from the incontinence and burn relief aisles of your local drug store while perched on a wee-wee pad—my exact discharge instructions after I delivered my first child.”

photo: Courtesy of Amazon

The entire line starts at just $12 and is available at Target in stores and online, as well as Amazon and BuyBuyBaby.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of Frida Mom

 

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