What Would Make Evanston Better for Biking?

The following press release was submitted by the City of Evanston:

"The City of Evanston is in the process of updating its citywide Bike Plan. As part of the process, an interactive workshop and bike tour will take place on Saturday, October 26. The focus group presentation and discussion will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium of Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Avenue, Evanston. All are welcome to participate at this public meeting.

The workshop will focus on maps and information assembled by T.Y. Lin International, the consulting firm working with the City on this effort. A bike tour will follow from noon until 3:00 p.m. To join the tour, participants must register online in advance, attend the morning workshop, supply their own bicycle and wear their own bicycle helmet. To register for the tour or to see a list of workshop topics, visit www.cityofevanston.org/bikeability.

The updated Bike Plan will guide planning, development, education, awareness, and management of existing and future bicycle infrastructure improvements and multi-modal connections within the City. The Plan will identify existing barriers, potential future bike infrastructure opportunities, as well as upgrades or improvements to existing routes, lanes, and paths, including signage. It will utilize the most current bicycle travel research, lessons learned, and best practices for mobility, safety, education, parking, and storage to encourage all bicycle travel including commuter bicycle travel to and from transit facilities, employment centers, shopping centers, recreational areas, and learning institutions using the existing street and parks network. Improving connectivity to the adjacent communities of Chicago, Skokie, and Wilmette will be considered in an effort to enhance overall bicycle mobility and accessibility.

Members of the Bike Plan Steering Committee are Suzette E. Robinson, Director of Public Works for the City of Evanston, a biker and Evanston resident; Rajeev Dahal, City of Evanston Senior Project Manager-Traffic; Jack Pfingston, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP); Chris Mailing, bikeshop manager and Executive Director of Downtown Evanston; Hugh Bartling, Evanston Environment Board and a biker; Catherine Hurley, City of Evanston Sustainability Coordinator and a biker; Tyra Poindexter, ETHS student and biker; Benjamin Schapiro, Evanston Bicycle Club and an Evanston senior; Sue Carlson, Citizens’ Greener Evanston; Ron Blumenberg, Evanston Police Department; Sarah Flax, Interim City of Evanston Planning, biker and Evanston resident; Christopher Staron, Northwest Municipal Conference; Nancy Wagner, Active Transportation Alliance; Jessyca Dudley, Evanston Health Department Nutritionist; and a student/biker from Northwestern University to be named.

Those unable to attend the workshop are invited to submit their comments online at the Bike Survey at http://surveymonkey.com/s/bikeplan or by calling 847-448-4311."