After years of hard work, determination, and applications, Elmhurst has finally been named a Bike-Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Elmhurst is one of eight communities in Illinois that have earned this title along with Chicago, Batavia, Evanston, Naperville, Schaumburg, Champaign, and Urbana, and it is one of 300 communities nationwide to have received this honor since 2003.

This plan was devised and conducted by Bob Hoel, chairman of the Elmhurst Bike Force. During the years prior to the acceptance of this title, the bike force created many projects that would make Elmhurst a more bike friendly community. These include installing more bike stations at the Metra station and adding bike route signs in the uptown area. There are also “safety town” areas where kids can learn the rules and regulations of riding a bike in a safe, simulated street environment.

Maybe some of you have noticed the new crossing signs around town, especially where the Prairie Path intersects York Road, but there are so many little details about Elmhurst, like the multiple bike trails available, that make it a great place where you can feel comfortable riding your bike.

“I love riding my bike, and I love that Elmhurst has so many opportunities for you to be able to ride your bike,” junior Julia Brown said. “The Prairie Path is accessible to a lot of people and I feel safe riding along the streets as well.”

Besides making citizens feel safe and enthusiastic to go out and ride their bikes, Elmhurst has also provided more signs to make more people aware of different bike path locations and ways to access them.

“ We have the Prairie Path, The Salt Creek Trail and The Great Western Trail all at our finger tips, and I believe Elmhurst uses these trails to be out in nature, for exercise and to get away from the hustle of our lives,” said Ms. Moss, science teacher and leader of cycling club. “We are lucky to have all of these resources and Elmhurst doesn’t take them for granted.  Since the community uses these trails so much, drivers are used to watching out and stopping for bikers crossing the streets. There are also plenty of bike racks to use if people stop to enjoy the area.”

Even after achieving this goal, leaders on the Elmhurst Bike Force aren’t satisfied and are now focusing on trying to get the budget for the city to help them out in further improvements to make biking even better. All these consequences have helped to promote this community.

“I think this title will help people become more aware of the great opportunities they are offered in Elmhurst,” junior Lauren Gibisch said. “Hopefully they will realize how lucky they are to have a community that gives them so many advantages regarding riding your bike.”