Although the city of Chicago was picked the most bike-friendly city in 2016, the suburbs have made progress too. Bicycling in the suburbs is both a challenge and a pleasure. More suburbs are creating biking infrastructure including Aurora; Chicago Heights; Evanston; and Bensenville. Richton Park is adding a protected bike lane.
Some of the top benefits of bike friendly suburbs:
- Health benefits, which makes it easier for people to get daily exercise. The benefits of bicycling about 30 minutes a day include reducing chances of many common diseases including diabetes, dementia, and depression by at least 40% and you can’t loose your keys if you don’t have any.
- Cars and trucks causes over 25% of all greenhouses gases yet people still drive. Swapping a car for a bike even on short commutes could generate an entire ton less of carbon per person yearly. This is a 5% carbon footprint reduction. As a result, bicycling also makes suburbs more livable with better air quality and less noise.
- Safe biking conditions give low-income Americans access to jobs, schooling, and stores so they do not have to buy a car. Especially since a car costs about $8,500 a year to operate.
- Additionally, biking infrastructure makes the suburban streets safer for bikers, drivers, and walkers and reduces the frequency of crashes. Protected bike lanes help drivers by making it safer to get into and out cars.
- Biking trails and projects often increase suburbs’ economic vitality. One example is the Indianapolis’ Cultural Trail, an ambitious biking project, which has revitalized business districts and increased property values.
- Biking safely allows children and younger teens, who often do not have access to cars or people to drive them, get around to appointments or lessons; Hence a sense of pride and independence.
- As a suburb’s streets and sidewalks can be in disrepair, bicycle projects can save money by maintaining and expanding a suburb’s transportation systems.
- Bike infrastructure is inexpensive and creates jobs. A mile of city freeway costs approximately $60 million. Meanwhile, a protected bike lane cost $170-250 thousand per mile and require much less maintenance.
Bikes make a difference.
The simple truth remains. Bikes provide better benefits for the environment and your health. Switch it up and ride a bike to work rather than getting road rage. Your doctor will even thank you. You will loose weight, no matter how short of a ride.
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We see that neighborhoods are incorporating more bike friendly features which allows them to remain competitive with the City of Chicago. The City has poached some workers due to the bike friendliness of the city. If you are looking to learn more about your neighborhood or city’s bike friendly outlook, contact us today.