Main Street Bikeway, Channel to Ridge

Existing travel conditions for cyclists on Main St are lacking; using the narrow and non-continuous sidewalk causes conflicts with pedestrians, while taking to the street with fast-moving cars and trucks is dangerous.

Slated for resurfacing in the coming years, the inclusion of a separated bicycle facility on this highly traveled east-west route is critical: connecting Skokie, the Channel Trail, Crown Center, Washington Elementary, the Main-Dempster Mile shops, and existing lanes along Dodge and Asbury Avenues.

ETA is proposing a two-way path instead of on-street painted lanes to ensure we can provide a facility for all ages and abilities, including children and families. Such a design would also be consistent with other recent and proposed bike facilities including along Oakton St, Chicago Ave, and Church St that feature two way bike traffic, contributing to overall network cohesion.

In 2016, Minneapolis re-surfaced N 26th Ave, which is similar to Evanston’s Main Street: a curb-to-curb width between 30’ and 35’, no striped on street parking, with moderate levels of vehicular and truck traffic. Both streets run mostly through low to medium-density residential districts, with connections to important educational, commercial and recreational destinations. Minneapolis slightly narrowed the existing 15’ travel lanes down to 11’ each (in what is known as a ‘road diet’). The resulting 8’ of space was then reallocated to a protected, bidirectional bike path along the north side of the road, as ETA is proposing.

Hundreds of local residents at ward meetings and in an online petition have voiced support for safety enhancements in response to worsening congestion, speeding, and traffic accidents.

A reconstructed Main St with bikeway and enhanced sidewalks and crosswalks would see improved traffic safety, reduced traffic backups, and minimized air pollution/ greenhouse gas emissions.