The Champaign Planning Department has submitted an application with the League of American Bicyclists to become a “Bicycle Friendly Community.” The City organization is already a “Bicycle Friendly Business” but this designation would apply to the community as a whole. Champaign has made significant strides in becoming a more bicycle friendly community in recent years. Miles of new bicycle lanes have been added to city streets along with many new programs and educational efforts to promote cycling as a safe and viable means of transportation. The efforts are paying off as the community has become noticeably more favorable for bicycling. Additional bicycle infrastructure projects will commence in 2013 as well with the striping of John Street, the remainder of State Street and Market Street north of Interstate 74. The Bicycle Friendly Community application will be considered by the League of American Bicyclists over the next couple months with an announcement expected in early May which is National Bike Month. The designation would be mostly honorary but is an important designation for the City in terms of reporting overall bicycle friendliness and quality of life. For questions please contact Rob Kowalski at the Champaign Planning Department.
