Photo: Chicago Bicycle Program
Chicago announces biggest bike lane expansion in its history
28 September 2021
by Christopher Carey
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced the biggest bike lane expansion in the city’s history with plans to install 160 kilometres of new and upgraded bike lanes by the end of 2022.
A US$17 million investment through Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s Chicago Works capital plan will fund the scheme, with the city also releasing a blueprint for building more bikeways that puts an emphasis on community-led planning and connected neighbourhood networks.
“Our goal at CDOT is to make everyday cycling safe, affordable and convenient for people of all ages and abilities, by connecting people to meaningful destinations and connecting neighbourhoods to each other,” said CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi.
“But there is no one-size fits all approach to growing our bike network. Every neighbourhood has different opportunities, challenges, and perceptions of biking. This means different strategies are required for different neighbourhoods.”
Community emphasis
As part of the announcement, CDOT released a new document, the Chicago Community Cycling Network Update, which includes a summary of 2021 initiatives that are funded through the Mayor’s Chicago Works plan.
It outlines an approach for expanding bike infrastructure with a focus on new protected bike lanes, working with community stakeholders on building neighbourhood bike networks, and filling gaps in the citywide network.
The design and implementation strategy builds on CDOT’s Strategic Plan for Transportation, which prioritises equitable access to safe and affordable transportation options as a key strategy to support economic development and build healthier, cleaner, and safer communities.
“Investing in bike infrastructure is not only a critical part of our plan to build stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods, but also our efforts to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents,” said Mayor Lightfoot.
“By building more bike lanes than ever, we will help to bring Chicago back from the disruptions caused by the pandemic as well as encourage more residents to ride bikes – thus creating healthier, better-connected communities.”
Popularity increasing
In the ten years prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of Chicagoans cycling to work almost doubled.
The city says this has increased even further as the pandemic has progressed, with the desire for safe and socially distanced forms of transportation and recreation becoming driving factors.
CDOT’s Divvy bikeshare scheme has clocked over seven million rides in the last two years, including setting a new single-day record three times this year and new monthly records in July and August with more than 800,000 rides each month.
On Friday, the scheme recorded over 4 million rides so far in 2021, surpassing its previous 2019 ridership record of 3.81 million rides with three months still to go until the end of the year.
Image: Chicago Bicycle Program (Flickr)
