After cyclists got used to dressing in multiple layers, surviving the low temperatures and buying adequate tires for the snow, a local organization is finally giving them a break during the brutal winter months.

Bikers from Critical Mass, an organization that hosts bike rides the last Friday of every month, will be hosting their 12th Annual Bike Winter Art show Feb. 13-27 at the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The exhibit will be feature fashion for bikers, cycling art and open mic nights where the public can recite bike poems, songs and readings.

For shoppers, a bike fashion bazaar will be held where bikers can buy items made by local designers for a reasonable price. During the closing week, there will be a bike-in movie night and a closing party that will feature live bands.

Steven Lane, member of Critical Mass, took over organizing the show last year. He said this year looks to be the biggest show yet because there will be an accompanying photography exhibit at the Mercury Cafe, 1505 W. Chicago Ave., and a mixed-media show with bike paintings, sculptures, art bikes and puppetry.

“This show gets people thinking about giving up less sustainable forms of transportation and start riding their bike all year long,” Lane said. “It helps solidify a community of cyclists that has already made the leap to all-season cycling.”

While preparing for the event, Critical Mass teamed up with the Flat Iron Artist’s Association (FIAA), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting arts. The association will provide the gallery space and help with planning and promoting the event.

Kevin Lahvic, president of FIAA, said the event has lasted so long because there’s a passion between bikers and artists and they have more in common than they thought.

“I find those that bike to be very open, in touch with themselves and engaged with the world around them,” Lahvic said. “Those are all key components to creating and or appreciating art. The Bike Winter Show is an event that truly celebrates and explores the close relationship and seamless overlap of these worlds.”

Lauren Lahvic, a freshman marketing communications major at Columbia, is helping to recruit students to showcase work and promote the event. Although she’s not a cyclist, she got involved through her dad, Kevin Lahvic.

She decided to help out with the student programming of the show after two fellow students approached her with an interest in showcasing their work. She thought it would be a great chance to practice her advertising skills. The last couple of months have been spent making sure there are enough art pieces for the show and getting more students involved with it.

“This gives students an opportunity to start networking now with important people in the art community,” she said. “Many students spend a lot of money learning how to perfect their work. After graduation, they aren’t really sure how to begin getting involved in the art community.”

Kevin Lahvic said they expect the unexpected, but at the end of the day, he hopes it turns out to be surprising, inspiring, memorable and fun.

“We want to create a deeper awareness of issues important to the art and biking community, as well as introducing new people to all that the Flat Iron is all about,” Kevin Lahvic said.

The Bike Winter Art show is open and free to the public. For more information on this event and other happenings hosted by Critical Mass, go to ChicagoCriticalMass.org.