Bikers in Oak Park eager for improved biking networks and bike-sharing capabilities can expect an update to Oak Park’s Bicycle Plan to be drafted in about six months.
After that, it will have to be reviewed by the transportation commission and approved by Oak Park’s Village Board of Trustees. At its May 7 meeting, the board approved an agreement with Sam Schwartz Consulting, D.P.C, to find ways to update the existing and future bike network plans and ways to work on a bike sharing system in the village.
The cost of this work is $92,800, which is more than originally budgeted. But village officials said savings from other projects will cover the cost.
Oak Park’s Bicycle Plan was adopted in 2008. The goal of this plan was to increase bike use and make the village more bike friendly. In 2015, Oak Park started focusing on the Neighborhood Greenways and bike sharing, a project focused on implementing greenways on low-traffic residential streets and creating bike sharing infrastructure.
Because the overarching bike plan is about 16 years old, the village wants to review it and look for opportunities for new or improved bike facilities, including bike lanes. The village is considering a new bike lane on Ridgeland Avenue. Some residents said they love the idea, but others are strongly opposed.
Only $50,000 was included in the fiscal year 2024 budget to research updates to the bike plan, but that’s not enough for services that include parking utilization surveys and community engagement, according to the village. The additional funds will come from the deferred “Cap the Ike” study, which was an idea to build landscaped deck over portions of the Eisenhower Expressway.
The work to draft an update the plan, which will take about six months, will include gathering public input from meetings, the village’s website, talks with stakeholders and hosting focus groups, according to village officials. The update will be reviewed by the transportation commission and finally presented to the village board for approval.
The village board also proclaimed May as National Bike Month at its May 7 meeting.
“Creating a bicycling-friendly community has been shown to improve citizens’ health, well-being, and quality of life, improving traffic safety, and reducing pollution, congestion, and wear and tear on our streets,” the proclamation reads.
Village President Vicki Scaman and village staff will be giving away free bike helmets at Village Hall, located at 123 Madison St. The event was scheduled for May 14 but has been postponed due to weather. Officials are working to reschedule. The helmets are first-come, first-serve. Stickers will also be available for free.
Attendees can engage in a “mini bike safety rodeo” hosted by an instructor from the League of American Bicyclists at the event. They can get information about bike-parking shelters, free bike-fixing stations and bike-safe routes around Oak Park.
“One of our adopted board goals is community health and safety, prioritizing the need to provide for safe mobility,” Scaman said in a statement. “As we continue to work toward that end and our Vision Zero plan, I know that this event will be a great way to further shine a light on those important initiatives.”
Update May 14, 2024: This story has been updated to reflect that the free bike helmet giveaway event has been postponed.