In 2021, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) along with the 30th, 31st, and 36th Wards partnered with a group of community leaders to identify new bike routes in Belmont Cragin & Hermosa. These new projects form a connected bike network which helps neighbors easily get to all the places they want and need to go by bike while improving the safety for all modes.

Since implementation, CDOT has been evaluating these new projects to understand their impact and identify areas for improvement. To date, over 16 miles of new connected bicycle routes have been installed with additional projects identified. This evaluation is ongoing and will continue in 2023.

The Neighborhood Bike Network was developed through collaboration with the community, including a Taskforce of community leaders to help guide this process. The Taskforce collaborated to:

• Facilitate discussion on the role that transportation plays in the neighborhood
• Identify the important destinations, connections, and barriers to moving around the neighborhood
• Identify opportunities to implement a Quick-Build Network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure beginning in 2021.
• Spread the word about this initiative and discuss the benefits of biking with neighbors
• This effort resulted in 16 miles of new bikeways and 1.5 miles of upgraded bikeways.

Since implementation, CDOT has been evaluating these new projects to understand their impact and identify areas for improvement. Initial results include the following:

• 86% increase in people biking network-wide
• Up to 111% increase in people biking
• Safer average motor vehicle speeds (under 20 MPH) recorded on all neighborhood bicycle routes
• Reduction in people biking in the Door Zone
• People biking in contraflow movement increased over 200%

Over 16 miles of connected bikeways and 1.5 miles of upgrades have been installed in the community, with designs including the following:

Belmont Cragin & Hermosa Community Areas