Plan Formally Makes Bicycles Part of Illinois' Long-Range Transportation Vision
CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider today announced the release of the Illinois Bike Transportation Plan - the first statewide bicycle plan in Illinois' history. The bike plan provides the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with policies, best practices and strategic direction for implementing a sustainable, multi-modal transportation system across Illinois. The plan is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to build a 21st century infrastructure that will drive Illinois' economy forward.
"The Illinois Bike Transportation Plan will help develop a safer and more efficient transportation system for everyone who rides a bike in our state," Governor Quinn said. "In Illinois we pride ourselves on our 21st century transportation system, and this plan will guide our future work to expand access to this safe, cost-effective and green form of transportation."
The bike plan provides more than 200 recommendations and action items to enhance IDOT's ability to provide safe and cost-effective accommodations for cyclists across Illinois. The comprehensive recommendations address a variety of topics including facility design and maintenance, network gaps, grant funding programs, safety education and enforcement, and internal governance and coordination. In addition, the plan includes performance measures designed to evaluate progress towards implementation.
"The Illinois Bike Transportation Plan is framed around five key principles: safety, connectivity, access, choice and collaboration," Secretary Schneider said. "These principles helped guide the development of the plan and will be instrumental to implementation. The plan will ensure that Illinois remains a model of excellence in sustainable transportation."
In developing the plan, IDOT staged an extensive, multi-faceted outreach effort. Approximately 4,000 individuals, 60 local agencies, 50 non-profits and 11 educational institutions provided input via face-to-face meetings, webinars, social media and online surveys. The input received from these stakeholders helped determine final recommendations and provides a framework for future collaboration moving forward.
The complete plan and accompanying technical documents can be found online at www.IllinoisBikePlan.com.
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