Pilot Program Kicks-off to Remind Bicyclists to Walk their Bikes on Sidewalks in Business Districts

From the City of Evanston:

The City of Evanston has kicked-off a pilot program designed to increase public safety and reduce conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists and between motorists and bicyclists. The project is called Walk Bikes on Sidewalk, Ride Bikes on Street Pilot Project.

The project's goal is to better inform bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists that the City of Evanston Municipal Code (10-9-4) requires that bicycles be walked on the sidewalk in business districts or ridden on the street with traffic flow.

“The City’s Walk Bikes on Sidewalk, Ride Bikes on Street Pilot Project is a positive, economical way to promote bike safety in downtown Evanston,” said First Ward Alderman Judy Fiske. “Cyclists are reminded to be good neighbors by recognizing the hazards they create for business patrons and pedestrians when they ride on the sidewalk. We want to keep everyone using our downtown safe, and this plan is designed be a win for both.”

The Chicago Avenue business district corridor between Clark Street and Davis Street in downtown Evanston has been chosen as the pilot area. The program includes sidewalk stencils at curb ramps, posters for shops and police education efforts. The promotional materials for this pilot program were shared with the City of Evanston courtesy of the City of Berkely, California.

If the pilot project is found to be successful, the program will be extended to other business districts of Evanston demonstrating a substantial number of pedestrian-cyclist and motorist-cyclist conflicts.

Below is a list of some of the main tips to ensure that your biking experience is as safe as possible:

•  Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet - This can be the difference between life and death in the event of a crash.
• Use Reflectors & Lights - It is important to use reflectors on the front and rear of your bike as well as lights to ensure that you are visible during the hours of low light.
• Check Your Equipment - Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that your brakes work. 
• Go With the Traffic Flow - Ride on the right in the same direction as other vehicles. Go with the flow - not against it. 
• Obey All Traffic Laws - A bicycle is a vehicle and you're a driver. When you ride in the street, obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.

Additionally, the Week of June 11-17 marks the City of Evanston’s participation in Chicagoland’s Bike to Work Week. The City reminds residents that biking is one of the most environmentally and personally healthy ways to move around Evanston.

To support and celebrate your two-wheeled trip, a Bike Pit Stop will be available for Evanston bike commuters on Friday, June 17 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at Fountain Square (Sherman Ave. at Davis St.). The Bike Pit Stop is sponsored by the Active Transportation Alliance at Turin Bicycle of Evanston. Pick up a goodie bag and get a quick bike tune up at a Bike Pit Stop during the Bike Commuter Challenge.

For more information on biking in Evanston along with a map of bike routes, visit www.cityofevanston.org/bike.