City drafts new plan to increase bike routes

City council members and the Urbana Bicyclist and Pedestrian Advisory have begun recommendations on the new bike routes and regional connections as part of a new master Draft Plan.

This $5.4 million Draft Plan was endorsed due to the long history of bicycling in Urbana.

Council members said that in addition to bicycling by choice for recreation and exercise, for some, it is their only way to get themselves and their family members around town.

The plan is meant to benefit all ages of bikers but is aimed at typical adult bicyclists.

Although there are many routes around Champaign and Urbana, only ideal streets and locations will be remodeled. The County of Regional Planning Commission said these streets and sidewalks must be highly recommended by the public and have safe crosswalks on busy streets.

They also said the streets and sidewalks must have sufficient width and be made with cement. The biking master plan is currently under review by the Urbana Plan Commission and will then forward the Draft Plan to Urbana City Council for final consideration on April 7.

With this new implementation of bike routes comes updated bike maps, designated routes, improved on- and off-street biking space, increased bike parking and a new bike safety and public education program.

Some of the goals that have been set for this biking plan are increasing bike use by 50 percent in the next five years and achieving the Bicycle Friendly Community Award through the League of American Bicyclists.

There were some concerns among city council members about residents and students having no place to put their bikes during the winter season. Danielle Chynoweth, Ward 2, said something has to be done.

"Having no place to put their bikes makes it difficult to keep a year-round bike," she said.

"We need to make sure we know what keeps people from buying new or used bikes and try to see if we can have some kind of alternative to leaving them outside."

In response, a representative of the County of Regional Planning Commission said they are considering installing more bike lockers for people to rent during the day.

She said that since the transit system has been using the lockers effectively, the University might want to also consider it.

Charlie Smyth, Ward 1 and member of many cycling organizations, including Adventure Cycling, said he wants to see better and more informative maps for people who bike.

"On one side we could have bicycling service maps, and on the other side we could have an entire education piece," he said. "Hopefully, we can have some of those in the coming months to give to our residents."

Rick Langlois, chairman of Champaign County Bikes, has confidence in the effects the new bike plan will have on the city.

"I think this will make the city money in the long run because it's a state-of-the-art plan," he said.

"It will add to the quality of life and make the city more attractive. This plan could even raise property values because of the town now being more desirable."