Ride Illinois believes communities should ring their bells as they make progress toward becoming more bicycle friendly. So when we learned that People for Bikes was offering mini grants to celebrate protected bike lanes, we reached out to the City of Aurora.
Aurora recently installed a new, half-mile protected bike lane on River Street between North Avenue and Downer Street. This closes the only major (and longtime notorious) gap in the popular 60-mile Fox River Trail system. With curbed separation from motor vehicles and high visibility green paint, this project will make it much easier and safer for people of all ages to enjoy the trails. It will also improve access to businesses and services such as Waubonsee Community College, the Santori Public Library, and Hesed House, a homeless shelter that has many bike-riding clients.
Aware of Aurora’s interest in coordinating a high profile ribbon cutting ceremony, we submitted a grant application to People for Bikes on their behalf—and were selected as one of ten communities nationwide! They now have $500 to help plan an event on May 13th that will bring out residents for a bike ride with the mayor along the new protected bike lane. The festivities will start at 9:30am at Hurd’s Island (North Avenue) on the Fox River Trail and end at a local eatery, and include a raffle of two bikes and plenty of swag for participants.
While Chicago has done much with protected bike lanes, Aurora can be a major inspiration to other, similar suburbs and metro areas around the state. Ride Illinois has been heavily involved with Aurora’s bicycle initiatives for over a decade, and we applaud their success in making biking better and safer in their community.
Is there an improvement or program in your area that deserves some bike bell ringing? Or, do you think your town should apply to be recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Community? Contact us at info@rideillinois.org for help!