2026 Bike Plan Update

Background:

The City of Evanston is updating its Bicycle Plan. This page serves as the central location for background materials, reference documents, and information about upcoming community meetings related to the 2026 Bike Plan Update. The City of Evanston adopted its most recent Bike Plan Update in 2014. That plan identified gaps and barriers within the bicycle network where connections were incomplete, conditions were challenging, or infrastructure was lacking. These findings were based on technical analysis and extensive community engagement, including crash data, bicycle counts, and feedback from residents, businesses, and advocacy groups.
Over the past decade, Evanston has implemented many improvements from the 2014 Plan, including new protected and buffered bike lanes, corridor upgrades, and safety initiatives. However, not all of the identified gaps have been addressed, and conditions across the network continue to evolve.

About the Bike Plan Update: 

The 2026 Bike Plan Update builds on Evanston’s adopted 2014 Bike Plan and reflects changes in bicycle infrastructure, safety data, and travel patterns since the last update.

The purpose of the Bike Plan is to:

• Evaluate the existing bike network
• Identify gaps, barriers, and safety concerns
• Analyze crash and ridership data
• Establish priorities for future bicycle improvements 
• Update bicycle-related policies and programs

This is a long-range planning effort and is not a construction project.

Reference Materials/Provide Your Inputs:

• 2014 Bike Plan Update

• 2025 Bike Plan Update - Council Presentation

• Existing Bicycle Infrastructure Map (2025)

• Community Remarks Online Engagement Portal - Provide your input by March 15th!!

Next Steps:

The City will continue the Bike Plan Update through ongoing coordination with the Steering Committee and Advisory Committee, incorporating technical review and guidance throughout the process. Community engagement will continue through Joint Ward Meetings, where residents can review existing bicycle conditions and provide input using comment forms and tablet-based surveys, as well as through online engagement tools for those unable to attend in person. At the same time, City staff will continue data collection and analysis, including review of bicycle counts, safety and crash data, and network conditions. Public input and technical findings will be used to refine corridor evaluations, identify priorities, and shape draft recommendations as the Bike Plan Update moves forward.

Project Manager: 

Chris S. Sous, P.E., PTOE, CFM, Assistant City Engineer
For questions, please call 847-448-4311