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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING MAY 2021 AS BIKE MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, residents of Cook County enjoy bike riding for fun, fitness, and with family, as well as taking essential trips to work or shop; and
WHEREAS, Cook County strives to meet the needs of all Cook County residents who wish to bike - regardless of age, ability, race, gender, ethnicity, or income; and
WHEREAS, the bicycle is an economical, healthy, convenient, environmentally sound form of transportation and an excellent tool for recreation and enjoyment at the Cook County Forest Preserves and on residential bike routes and bikeways throughout Cook County; and
WHEREAS, biking affords residents a healthy, recreational activity that can be done while physical distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Cook County’s road and trail system attracts bicyclists each year, providing economic, transportation, tourism, and scenic benefits; and
WHEREAS, creating a bicycling-friendly community has been shown to improve citizens’ health, well-being, and quality of life, growing the economy, improving traffic safety, supporting student learning outcomes, and reducing pollution, congestion, and wear and tear on our streets and roads; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CCDOTH) is one of the Chicago region’s largest investors in bicycle infrastructure, including through the Invest in Cook program that awards grants to local agencies to improve their community’s bicycle access and safety; and
WHEREAS, Connecting Cook County, the County’s long-range transportation plan for 2040 adopted in 2016 and the first such plan in 70 years, prioritized transit and non-vehicular travel, as well as the comfort and safety of bicyclists and pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is creating its first-ever plan for bicycle infrastructure focusing on equitable access to low-stress bikeways and establishing long-term goals for bicycle infrastructure throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is committed to expanding the existing system of off-street trails and other low-stress routes into a coherent countywide network; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is committed to ensuring transportation investments serve a greater number of County residents and are more equitably distributed to ensure access to opportunities; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is committed to enhancing facilities to support bike commuting and other purposeful bike trips; and
WHEREAS, Bike Month in May seeks to promote the many benefits of biking and create greater public awareness of bicycle operation and safety education in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities and improve health and safety for everyone on the road; and
WHEREAS, throughout the month of May, the residents of Cook County and its visitors can experience the joys of bicycling through educational programs, races, commuting events, charity events, or by simply getting out and going for a ride; and
WHEREAS, the Active Transportation Alliance, Ride Illinois, the League of American Bicyclists, various schools, parks and recreation departments, police departments, public health districts, hospitals, companies, and civic groups will be celebrating bicycling during the month of May 2021 throughout Cook County; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim May 2021 as Bike Month in Cook County urge all residents to join in this special observance and enjoy the wonders of biking.
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