WILMETTE – The five-member bicycle advisory group led by Wilmette village trustee Julie Wolfe met on August 15 to discuss plans for a bikeway master plan for the village.
The advisory group, which was appointed by the village board in June, is the first step toward creating a more bike-friendly village. The advisory group is tasked with seeking input from the community, taking a broad view of the whole village and determining what residents would like included in a bicycle master plan. After soliciting this input, the advisory group will determine the scope of work for outside consultants, who will ultimately prepare a bicycle master plan.
The advisory group includes Tim Perry, former head of Wilmette’s bicycle task force, Terry Porter, former Wilmette Park District executive director, and Christine Norrick and Libby Braband, both members of village commissions.
At the August 15 meeting, the advisory group discussed hiring a consultant to develop a future bike plan and eventually securing grants to cover the costs. They also considered a village-wide bike survey that was conducted in 2015, as well as a bike plan that was developed in 1997.
The survey, which was taken by 855 residents, revealed that 35 percent feel the overall conditions for cycling in Wilmette are good to excellent, versus 49 percent who responded that the conditions were average. According to a June 22, 2015, memorandum to Brigitte Berger from summer intern Jacob Rebnord, the village’s goal is to have over 50 percent of residents view cycling conditions as good to excellent. Respondents identified poor pavement conditions, difficulty crossing intersections and limited safety as barriers to cycling in the village.
The survey also revealed that Gillson Beach, the village center, Plaza del Lago and the library are top cycling destinations throughout the village. Wilmette Avenue was also identified as the top street where riders would like to see more bike accommodations, such as a bike path.
While bike enthusiasts may want to see a bike path along Wilmette Avenue, residents along that street have expressed concern in past meetings that a bike path along that corridor would create safety hazards for cyclists and drivers, negatively impact street-side parking and be a costly project.
Russell Jensen, village engineer, addressed this issue in an email to DailyNorthShore on August 26. “Parking is a highly important community issue and will continue to be so into the foreseeable future. Any future bike facility consideration must be in concert with the understanding that mutual solutions are required.”
Jensen said the needs of all interested parties will be sought and considered, and that the advisory group will require public input throughout the process as it seeks to hire outside consultants to develop a bicycle master plan.
“The advisory committee will require public outreach through the RFP process and it is anticipated that property owners are going to actively participate in this process,” Jensen wrote.
To see the survey and the 1997 bike plan go to www.wilmette.com.