Chicago is on monitor to doubtlessly assemble roughly 47 miles of recent bikeways in 2024, as half of a bigger pledge so as to add 150 miles of recent and improved bikeways in only a handful of years.
Chicago’s Division of Transportation not too long ago up to date their public spreadsheet and interactive map for 2024 bikeway installations, which incorporates bike trails, protected bike lanes, and neighborhood greenways.
On the time of publication, 10 bikeways have been put in, 17 are underway, and 56 extra are deliberate for building in numerous neighborhoods and metropolis streets throughout the third largest metropolis within the U.S.
The bold metropolis planning mission is spearheaded by Full Streets, a program run by the CDOT which prioritizes avenue designs which might be accessible, environmentally sustainable, and pedestrian-friendly.
2023 marked a record-breaking 12 months for the town, with the addition of over 50 miles of bike-friendly routes.
On the finish of final 12 months, Full Streets supervisor David Smith attended a metropolis council listening to and spoke about their achievements, which included the donation of 1,350 free bikes to residents and a file variety of customers using the bike rental system Divvy.
“2023 actually was an thrilling 12 months, and I believe units the tone and the stage for a way we transfer ahead within the years to come back,” Smith informed the the municipal laws of the Chicago metropolis council.
“After we design our streets and undertake insurance policies that prioritize these most susceptible, we enhance the protection and accessibility for everyone utilizing the road.”
This information comes alongside a current announcement from the Chicago Metropolitan Company for Planning to strengthen the town’s compliance with the People with Disabilities Act.
“CMAP is thrilled to proceed supporting communities of their planning and implementation efforts by our technical help program,” mentioned Erin Aleman, CMAP government director, in a press launch.
Aleman went on add that the Regional Transportation Authority obtained an “unprecedented variety of purposes” for metropolis enhancements.
“[This] highlights the numerous demand for planning assist all through our area,” Aleman defined.
“CMAP’s technical help program aligns with the area’s complete plan ‘ON TO 2050,’ and its rules of resilience, inclusive development, and prioritized funding.”
The ON TO 2050 Plan is a 30-year technique to higher Chicago’s seven counties, with a give attention to transportation security and accessibility, improved fairness, and a more healthy setting for all Chicagoans.
By all accounts, Chicago is on monitor in direction of a brighter future.
Town’s elevated variety of protected bike paths, improved ADA compliance for public transportation, and the ON TO 2050 plan all add credence to the most important purpose of all: the state’s pledge to run utterly on clear, carbon-free vitality by 2050.
Howard Learner, an lawyer at Chicago’s Environmental Legislation and Coverage Heart, mentioned that he believes in Illinois’ potential to “clear up” its vitality system and finish reliance on fossil fuels.
“It is bold, it is sensible, it is doable,” Learner informed CBS Information.
Header picture by way of SDOT / Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
