Transportation Advocates and Community Leaders salute Chicago’s expanding Cycling Network and the Loop’s First Protected Bike Lanes

CHICAGO, IL – The Active Transportation Alliance, Chicagoland’s voice for better walking, biking and transit, salutes Mayor Emanuel for expanding the city’s bike network and creating safer streets for everybody. The mayor’s commitment to create safer streets where Chicagoans of all ages can bike comfortably is demonstrated by the city’s ambitious new Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 and today’s announcement of plans to install the first protected bike lanes in the Loop.

“We applaud the city’s new Streets for Cycling Plan 2020, an ambitious but achievable roadmap that will make bicycling a safe and easy option for all Chicagoans,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “By incorporating innovative new facilities and targeting routes through all neighborhoods, the plan embraces our vision for a Chicago where everyone can bike safely, whether they are 8-years-old or 80-years-old.”

Active Trans praises the city for its progress toward installing 100 miles of protected bike lanes by 2015, and 42nd Ward Alderman Reilly for his role in bringing protected bike lanes to the Loop. Protected bike lanes use physical barriers or buffers between people riding bikes and motorized traffic. By providing people riding bikes with their own protected space, the design helps people of all ages feel more comfortable biking on the street. Statistics show protected bike lanes encourage more people to bike while improving a street’s overall safety for everyone, whether they walk, bike or drive.

Downtown Chicago has long been a challenging place to get around because of congestion and because streets are dedicated primarily to cars, even though cars move only a small percentage of people traveling on downtown streets. Most people travel by bus, train or foot in the Loop, and biking is becoming more and more popular.

“Protected bike lanes create a more organized traffic flow that is safer for everyone, whether you are walking, biking or driving a car. This is especially important in the congested Loop,” said Burke. “Alderman Reilly’s support for protected bike lanes in the Loop is a major milestone in the development of Chicago’s bikeway network and will make our downtown streets more orderly and safer for everyone.”

Praise for the Loop’s new protected bike lanes also came from business owners and downtown advocates.

“Protected bike lanes will make the Loop an even more vibrant and livable place,” said Laura Jones, interim executive director of the Chicago Loop Alliance. “By providing safe, comfortable and appealing places for people to bike downtown, the new protected bike lanes will contribute to the Loop’s growing energy and economic vitality.”

Cities throughout the country and around the world are increasingly expanding their biking facilities. Demand for safe, convenient and affordable transportation options, including the ability to ride a bike to work, are major factors for in-demand talent, businesses, residents, students and potential visitors.

“Protected bike lanes in and around the Loop will not only improve the safety of riders and further encourage the use of bicycles by our residents and visitors alike, but also delivers on the great expectations of our world class city,” said Lou Raizin, president of Broadway in Chicago. “The use of bicycles within the central business, cultural and tourist district enhances the livability and enjoyment for all.”

Chicagoans can track progress and support other new bike facilities by signing on to the Active Transportation Alliance’s Neighborhood Bikeways Campaign, which advocates for a 100-mile network of protected bike lanes by 2015 by organizing residents across Chicago neighborhoods and building aldermanic support to move bikeway projects forward. To learn more, visit www.activetrans.org/bikeways.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.