Lombard starts working on new bicycle, pedestrian plan

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of Carl Goldsmith, director of public works.

Bicycling in Lombard may get a little easier in the near future, thanks to the creation of a new villagewide bicycle and pedestrian master plan.

Director of Public Works Carl Goldsmith said village officials started talking about the need for a master plan when they were putting together the recently adopted Complete Streets Policy.

"Bicycling and running and walking aren't only for recreation," Goldsmith said, adding that increasingly, people are using biking as their primary means of transportation.

Last month, the village board agreed to pay $64,350 to Alta Planning + Design to evaluate current bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in Lombard, gather input from the public and develop a comprehensive set of goals and objectives that could result in future improvements.

The consulting firm has led similar projects in Wayne Township, Elgin and Wheeling.

Goldsmith said the new master plan will likely build upon the 2008 Lilac Bikeway Plan. The firm will take a look at projects that have been implemented since that plan was adopted and evaluate whether remaining projects in that plan are still relevant.

Work on the new plan is still in its beginning stages, but Goldsmith said residents can expect significant community outreach efforts in the coming months. One of the first steps, he said, will be the formation of a core stakeholder group consisting of representatives from the school district, park district, chamber of commerce, business owners and others who will meet several times to discuss "the limitations and burdens" of bicycling in the village.

There will be several opportunities for the public to submit their input online and in person. Goldsmith said they will be asked to graphically show where their "movements" usually are when they go on a walk or run or take a bike ride, to help planners understand where they should focus.

Some areas Goldsmith anticipates will be identified include Roosevelt Road, which he called "a huge barrier for movement in town," and perhaps improvements on Grace Street to make it a better connector for bicyclists traveling between North Avenue and St. Charles Road.

Goldsmith also envisions many future discussions for connecting existing paths. Still, hearing from as many residents as possible, he said, is "critical."

"We want to make sure we are accommodating them to the greatest extent," he said. "Not everybody's desired route will be built. That would be impossible for us to do. But where we see significant input, we'll certainly try to do so."

In addition to improving biking conditions for residents, the plan will be helpful when the city applies for grants from various funders, such as the Illinois Bike Path Grant Program and the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program, Goldsmith said.