Bike and Pedestrian Planning
Introduction
Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
North and Northwest Cook County Bicycle Signage Plan
Northwest Highway Bicycle Facility Plan
2010 Bicycle Plan
Bicycle Plan Implementation (seperate webpage)
Introduction
While investment in road and transit improvements are major components of the Northwest Municipal Conference’s strategy to improve mobility in our region, it is just as important to provide non-motorized transportation options for those traveling within and between our communities. Our members have been proactive in planning for the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians. The Northwest Municipal Conference has taken an active role in several initiatives to enhance the biking and walking environment in our communities.
We strongly believe that the benefits of providing bicycle and pedestrian facilities more than justify their cost. The need for safe facilities has become readily apparent. More and more of our citizens, ranging from children biking to local schools and parks to health conscious adults to seniors citizens who are no longer able to drive to nearby amenities, are choosing to engage in biking and walking to get around their communities. Health benefits from the increase in physical activity pay dividends for both the individual and society. In addition, people who no longer opt to drive short trips are saving the air by leaving their vehicles parked.
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Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
The NWMC Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee meets monthly, traditionally on the third Tuesday of the month.
Next Meeting:
TBD
Previous Meetings:
March 19, 2013 - 
Agenda Pakcet (includes February 12, 2013 Minutes)
February 12, 2013 - Agenda Packet (includes January 15, 2013 Minutes)
January 15, 2013 - Agenda Packet (includes November 20, 2012 Minutes)
November 20, 2012 - Agenda Packet (includes October 16, 2012 Mintues)
Octobe 16, 2012 - Agenda Packet (includes September 18, 2012 Minutes)
September 18, 2012 - Agenda Packet (includes September July 24 Minutes)
July 24, 2012 - Agenda Packet (includes June 19 Minutes)
June 19, 2012 - Agenda Packet (includes May 15, 2012 Minutes)
May 15, 2012 - Agenda Packet (includes April 17, 2012 Mintues)
April 17, 2012 - Agenda Packet (inlcudes March 20, 2012 Minutes)
March 20, 2012 - Agenda Packet (includes February 21, 2012 Minutes)
February 21, 2012 - Agenda
January 24, 2012 - Agenda
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North and Northwest Cook County Bicycle Signage Plan
Adopted by the NWMC Board on February 8, 2012, the signage plan recommends a network of wayfinding and destination signs in the Conference's regional bicycle corridors and can be used by municipalities when implementing segments of these routes. It also provides a recommended design for the network of signs and proposes incorporating a website address and smart phone technology on the signs to give riders more information about the full network.
Plan Documents:
North and Northwest Cook County Regional Corridor Bicycle Signage Plan
Bicycle Signage Map Layers (kml)
Bicycle Signage Map Layers (shape files)
Northwest Highway Bicycle Facility Plan
Adopted by the NWMC Board on February 8, the Northwest Highway plan recommends a series of bike facilities, including sidepaths, bike lanes and signed bike routes to provide a continuous, 20 mile bicycle corridor from Barrington to Park Ridge. The plan includes cross section views of the proposed improvements, cost estimates and an implementation strategy.
Plan Documents:
Northwest Highway Bicycle Facility Plan
Appendix - Segments Table
2010 Bicycle Plan
In 2009, the NWMC hired the Active Transportation Alliance (Active Trans) to work with NWMC staff and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee to prepare the 2010 NWMC Bicycle Plan. The goals of the plan, as set out by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, were to produce a more detailed corridor analysis and an implementation strategy for regional bicycle facilities. Complementing these larger goals are recommendations for preparing local bike plans; creating bike safety, education, and encouragement programs; installing regional signage; and pursuing grant opportunities. This plan represents the most detailed bicycle planning effort yet prepared by the conference. Building on previous bicycle planning work and relying on the hard work of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, the Active Trans, municipal staff and elected officials, this document will act as a guide for planning and implementing bicycle facilities in the NWMC service area.
In December 2010, the NWMC Board unanimously approved the 2010 Northwest Municipal Conference Bike Plan. You can download the Plan below:
NWMC 2010 Bicycle Plan Documents:
Full Copy of NWMC Bicycle Plan (13 mb)
NWMC Bicycle Plan Map (5 mb)
Due to the file size, it is recommended that you right click on these links and save them to your hard drive one file at a time. If you have trouble downloading these documents, please contact Chris Staron (
cstaron@nwmc-cog.org or 847.296.9200).
For information about implementation of the 2010 Bicycle Plan, please click here.