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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING MAY 2022 AS BIKE MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Bike Month is celebrated in May 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, Cook County has one of the strongest communities of bikers and bike advocates of any metropolitan area in the country; and
WHEREAS, mobility equity is a hallmark of human and civil rights, free and safe travel is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment, and Cook County’s policy framework highlights transportation as key to the equitable distribution of opportunities; 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, culture, or income; and
WHEREAS, the bicycle is an economical, healthy, convenient, and 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, creating bicycling-friendly communities has been shown to improve citizens’ health, well-being, and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, biking helps to attract commerce, improve traffic safety, support student learning outcomes, and reduces pollution, congestion, and wear and tear on our streets and roads; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is one of the region’s leading 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, Cook County continues to grow its map of bikeable roadways that provide economic, transportation, tourism, and scenic benefits, currently comprised of 350 miles of trails, 65 miles of side paths and five miles of Greenways; and
WHEREAS, Connecting Cook County, the County’s long-range transportation plan for 2040 prioritizes transit and non-vehicular travel, as well as the comfort and safety of bicyclists and pedestrians; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is in the second year of developing its comprehensive Bike Plan, which prioritizes equitable access to off-street and low-stress bikeways, the maintenance of existing infrastructure, and adding biking facilities to support a broad range of cyclists; 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, places of worship, and civic groups will be celebrating bicycling during the month of May 2022 throughout Cook County; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim May 2022 as Bike Month in Cook County and urges all residents to join in this special observance and enjoy the wonders and health benefits of biking; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Cook County is committed to ensuring transportation investments support everyday biking for recreation and transportation to work.
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