In 2021, CDOT along with the 24th Ward partnered with a group of community leaders to identify new bike routes in North Lawndale. These new projects form a connected bike network which helps neighbors easily get to all the places they want and need to go by bike while improving the safety for all modes.

Since implementation, CDOT has been evaluating these new projects to understand their impact and identify areas for improvement. To date, nearly 9 miles of connected bicycle routes have been installed, almost 2 miles have been upgraded, and additional projects have been identified.

The Neighborhood Bike Network was developed through collaboration with the community, including a Taskforce of community leaders to help guide this process. The Taskforce collaborated to:

• Facilitate discussion on the role that transportation plays in the neighborhood
• Identify the important destinations, connections, and barriers to moving around the neighborhood
• Identify opportunities to implement a Quick-Build Network of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure beginning in 2021 
• Spread the word about this initiative and discuss the benefits of biking with neighbors
• This effort resulted in nearly 9 miles of new bikeways to date and almost 2 miles of upgrades

Nearly 9 miles of connected bikeways have been installed in the community and almost 2 miles have been upgraded, with designs including the following:

North Lawndale Community Area