2023 Bicycle Implementation Plan

The City of Champaign's latest Bicycle Implementation Plan is ready for residents to review! As the City works to implement its vision from the Champaign Moving Forward: Transportation Master Plan, every so often there needs to be a "next steps" selection process for new bicycle connections on City streets.

To learn about the priorities process and selection criteria please review the Phase 2 Network Updates and Prioritization memo.

You can easily flip through the 16 main projects, general treatments, and priorities in the Project Descriptions. Projects are grouped by project size and similarities. Group 1 projects are small and can be implemented very quickly, while Group 4 projects are larger, more complicated, and require more study.

Implementation Project Quick Facts

How did the City choose where bicycle projects go? How were the projects selected?

There are more than 90 bicycle project ideas on the webmap. The proposed bike lanes and bike paths started with the combination of existing streets and paths and the proposed network from the Bicycle Vision within Champaign Moving Forward: Transportation Master Plan. New locations were added to include neighborhoods and areas of the City not included in the original Transportation Master Plan and connect these new areas to existing bike lanes and paths.

How were the 16 priority projects selected?

The 16 projects selected in the Project Description document were selected based on several criteria. The selection looks at existing bike lanes, paths, schools, and other community centers; the different people and groups who may benefit from the new connections; and making sure those that rely on bicycle transportation can connect to places of employment and other needs. Click on any project on the webmap to see the criteria for various improvement projects across Champaign.

How often does the City create a Bicycle Implementation Plan?

The intent with this first implementation plan is to identify the steps necessary prior to installing bicycle facilities along key connections within the proposed network. Some projects can be straightforward, like requiring development of a design and moving forward with pavement marking changes. Other projects may require changes or updates to other infrastructure, such as, traffic signals, curbs, or medians, or require specific public input on impacts to parking. Moving forward, the thought is to revisit the plan every five to ten years.

How is this Implementation Plan funded?

Since the adoption of the Bicycle Vision, the implementation of bike lanes has been accomplished through a combination of funding for new bike lanes and incorporation of bicycle lanes and paths into other annual road projects. The bike implementation plan outlines the steps specific to working through what the roads should look like ahead of time and provide more opportunities to add bike lanes and paths.

Are there projects that require a road diet?

Yes. There are some roadways not wide enough or designed in a fashion that can just add room for an extra bicycle lane. For these roads, like Prospect Avenue, the roadway will need to be studied. The benefit of working through more complex corridors such as Prospect Avenue or Kirby Avenue proactively will be the potential to then implement some (or all) of the changes the next time a road is up for resurfacing.

Are there identified projects that will call for physical separation?

Currently, physical separation with on-street bike lanes is not proposed due to operations logistics and limitations related to maintenance activities. However, several projects within the plan call for visually separated (or buffered) bike lanes. Buffered bike lanes would provide opportunities to move toward physically separated bike lanes, where appropriate, while the City works to resolve operational and maintenance issues.

Wait, I know of a street or area that really needs bicycle roadway treatments! Why is it not on the map and who do I contact?

The City welcomes your feedback! Staff are happy to listen to suggestions and review specific ideas with you. Please be aware that approximately 35% of roadways in Champaign are not operated by the City of Champaign and cannot be changed by the City itself. For some roadways, like West Springfield Avenue and North Mattis Avenue, the City can only provide advice to the controlling entity regarding design preferences.

Why do some parts of town have only a couple of projects and others have so many projects?

The projects were selected based off criteria and feasibility. Further study is needed to create more connections in some parts of town. Some quadrants of town will have longer and larger projects proposed, and other parts of town have smaller projects. The projects were selected based on nine criteria. Keep in mind that projects not identified in the four project groups can become immediate implementation projects as opportunities arise.