GOVERNOR EDGAR AWARDS COMMUTER BIKEWAYS
GRANT TO VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG

Schaumburg, IL — Governor Jim Edgar announced recently the award of $111,100.00 of Operation Green-light funding to the Village of Schaumburg for a commuter bicyclist demonstration project. The announcement occurred at the Schaumburg Commuter Rail Facility in southwest Schaumburg.

Schaumburg will use the funds to install high-security, all-weather bicycle lockers at the community's train station. Commuters will rent the lockers for a nominal fee. In addition, Schaumburg will install new bike racks at the station and construct a key off-street bikepath linking the train station with the community. The Village currently has about 50 miles of bikepaths throughout its residential and commercial areas.

The commuter bicycle project should be completed by mid-Summer.

"What this grant will do is allow us in the suburban area to take a recreational opportunity and turn it into a transportation opportunity," said Edgar. "I want to commend Schaumburg for taking the lead on this project."

"We have about 50 miles of bike paths (in Schaumburg)," reported Village President Al Larson. "We laud the governor for taking this fresh approach to transportation."

Schaumburg Transportation Planner Tom Dabareiner noted that the aim of the demonstration project is to encourage commuters using Metra's Milwaukee Road West line to ride their bicycles to the station. "It's an experiment. While this type of thing has succeeded in other parts of the country, this will be the first time it is tried in Chicagoland."

Dabareiner added that with the new mandates of the Clean Air Act, requiring less use of single occupancy automobiles, providing these options for commuters is important. "Without the options, we ensure failure. But by providing commuters with the alternative of bicycling to the train station, we create a safe, viable opportunity for some commuters. If only a few commuters leave their cars at home, this project will be a success." •

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Page 24 / Illinois Municipal Review / April 1992