Illinois Bike Transportation Plan Could Be a Game Changer

John Greenfield reports on the release of the Illinois Bike Transportation Plan, which is being touted by bike and pedestrian advocates as a new direction for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

“The bike plan focuses on the design and management of state roads, as well as the distribution of federal and state transportation money to Illinois municipalities. Improving state roads could go a long way towards making biking and walking safer, since these highways are often overly wide, with multiple lanes and high-speed traffic,” writes Greenfield.

In addition, “IDOT design manuals will be updated to reflect modern standards for accommodating biking and walking, which should increase the quantity and quality of bike facilities incorporated into state road projects. And the plan calls for hiring a full-time bike and pedestrian coordinator to work within the agency to ensure these modes are accommodated.”

Already, “the Active Transportation Alliance heralded the release of the bike plan…as a sign of IDOT’s growing commitment to improving conditions for non-motorized transportation.”