Urbana Bike Plan to be Recognized

The Illinois Municipal Policy Journal has selected the City of Urbana to be featured in its upcoming fall 2018 publication. Specifically, the feature will concentrate on the Urbana Bicycle Master Plan, a comprehensive strategy that improves bicycle transportation in and around the City.

"Our collected data states that 6.7 percent of Urbana residents bike to work," Lauren Crabtree of the IMPJ said.

The data also states that bicycle fatalities have decreased by 6 percent in Urbana. Crabtree said that is greatly significant and indicates the intense work that Urbana has put into bike travel is having positive results.

In January 2007 the City of Urbana contracted with the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission to create a Bicycle Master Plan for the City. This study originated from the Urbana City Council goal to “Get Urbana Bicycling.” The Plan was guided by a steering committee of community stakeholders including representatives from the Urbana Park District, Urbana School District, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District and City staff. The Plan also involved an extensive public involvement component.

"Urbana's work has paid off. This is excellent," Stign Vanderslot, also of the IMPJ said. Vanderslot and Crabtree went on a brief tour after meeting with City Planner, Kevin Garcia and Assistant City Engineer, Craig Shonkwiler to discuss the upcoming article. To see the Urbana Bicycle Master Plan, click on this link.