​Resources and Links
Here you'll find a list of bike and pedestrian related resources to make biking and walking journeys easier and safer!
If you have any links you'd like to share send them to us and we will post here.
Surveys
Des Plaines River Trail Questionnaire
League of Illinois Bicyclists Bike Safety Quiz
Maps/Routes
B&WDP Map
Bike and Walk Des Plaines created this “mellow” bike map to give cyclists of all abilities a practical resource to help them navigate the city. This map emphasizes taking low-traffic side streets and sidewalks over the city's busy, car-filled main roads.
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Des Plaines is fortunate to have some on-street bike lanes, like those along portions of Lee and Algonquin, which can be convenient when time is of the essence. The city's official bike map is a valuable tool for locating these marked routes on major streets.
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Although the quieter routes we're highlighting here may be slightly slower, you can expect to benefit from fewer cars, less stressful intersections, more visibility, and a neighborhood atmosphere.
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Key:
Dark green - neighborhood street or sidepath
Light green - sidewalk recommended
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Bike & Walk Des Plaines "Mellow Map"
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This project was inspired by the mellow Chicago bike map. Bike and Walk Des Plaines advises all cyclists to adhere strictly to all applicable traffic laws and regulations. Bike and Walk Des Plaines assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided regarding biking routes or related guidance. Individuals assume all risks associated with their cycling activities.
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Other useful maps:
Bike ride route: Mike Bagby’s One Lap of Des Plaines
Des Plaines Current Bike Lanes
Des Plaines bike routes (existing) .PDF
Des Plaines bike routes (proposed) .PDF
Education
Rules for taking your bike on Metra trains
Bicycle Safe - Important lessons in bicycle safety
Safe Routes for Kids - Bike Safety Program Curriculum
Walk Bike to School Curricula - The ability to walk and bicycle safely is an important life skill. Any program that encourages walking and bicycling should also incorporate safety education. In order for children to adopt new skills, they need supervised practice time and repeated reinforcement of the key messages. These walking and biking resources can help.
Bicycle Safety Guide & Countermeasure Selection System
Bicycle Safety Activity Kit -Provide parents, caregivers, teachers, community leaders, and children with tools to learn the important basics about bicycle safety. Can be used in school or community bicycle safety programs or in conjunction with Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs. Contains age-appropriate activities emphasizing crashes and related injuries while bicycling.
Links
Active Transportation Alliance (advocacy group for biking, walking and public transportation)
Des Plaines Active Transportation website
City of Wheeling’s Planning Commission Workshop (2010)
National Complete Streets Coalition
Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) Bike and Pedestrian Planning
People for Bikes - Make Biking Better for Everyone - Join Now
The League of American Bicyclists
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Updates
Construction updates in Des Plaines
Who's Doing it Right
Check out these great City Bike Plans
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