Revolutionizing Chicago's Bike Network: A Community-Centered Approach

For over 25 years, TYLin - Sidara’s transportation specialist – has been partnering with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to improve the city's bike infrastructure. While there have been many successes during this time, large portions of the city remain unserved by the current bike network, particularly on the West Side.

This lack of infrastructure has left residents without safe and convenient biking options, contributing to traffic congestion and limiting healthy, sustainable transportation choices. Recognizing these challenges, CDOT, with TYLin's support, embarked on an ambitious project to extend bikeways to these underserved areas.

Neighborhood Cycling Networks

To tackle the problem, a team from TYLin developed a comprehensive planning and engagement process for the rapid expansion of Chicago's bike network. The goal was to create a robust Neighborhood Bike Networks initiative, focusing initially on three West Side neighborhoods identified as High Crash Areas in the Vision Zero Chicago Action Plan. These areas required immediate attention due to their high incidence of traffic accidents, particularly those involving cyclists and pedestrians.

The team recognized that each community was unique, with different dynamics, opportunities, challenges, and perceptions about biking. Understanding this, they adapted their solution rather than make it a one-size-fits-all approach. The team organized neighborhood task forces and began working initially with community leaders to ensure that plans would meet each local concern. Having this kind of grassroots engagement proved very important in getting buy-in from the community for the success of the project.

A Far Safer, Far More Accessible Bike Network

TYLin and CDOT moved rapidly to implement the first phase of Neighborhood Bike Networks. By the end of 2021, nearly half of the 45 miles of planned bikeways were installed, consisting of low-stress protected bike lanes and neighborhood paths designed for safe and convenient access to some of the major activity centers.

TYLin's role had grown from planning into comprehensive engineering services, becoming one of program management, design review, and construction coordination. This ensured that each phase of the work could be dealt with competently while utilizing the best safety and quality practices.

The expansion dovetailed with a citywide upgrade to Chicago's Divvy bikeshare. With more bike lanes and access to better bike-sharing stations, residents in historically underserved communities will have more opportunities to ride for daily commutes and recreation.

A Vision for the Future

TYLin's collaboration with CDOT is ongoing, with efforts to expand the Neighborhood Bike Network process to more areas of the city. This continued expansion aims to create an interconnected network of safe, reliable, and accessible bikeways throughout the Windy City. By analyzing existing conditions, coordinating with stakeholders and local aldermen, and addressing community-specific needs, TYLin is helping CDOT make biking a more integral part of Chicago's transportation landscape.

The impacts of this stretch much further than improved infrastructure. Simply having bikeway facilities that are safe and more convenient to use will encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce traffic congestion. This, in turn, will have an overall quality-of-life impact on the community's residents, meeting broader sustainability goals through reduced reliance on car-dependent travel.