O’Hare Area Bike Network Study Could Transform Our Communities

The O’Hare Area Bike Network Study Could Transform Our Communities

As a Realtor who spends his days criss‑crossing Chicagoland, I’m always excited when infrastructure projects promise to make our neighborhoods more connected. One initiative catching my eye this year is the O’Hare Area Bike Network Study, launched by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH). The study aims to stitch together a safe, low‑stress cycling network around O’Hare and nearby suburbs such as Des Plaines, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village, Franklin Park, Mount Prospect, Park Ridge, and Bensenville chi.streetsblog.org.

This isn’t just about recreational biking; it’s part of a county‑wide effort to fill gaps in the bike infrastructure identified in the 2023 Cook County Bike Plan chi.streetsblog.org. The plan recognizes that major barriers—railroads, highways, freight yards, waterways, and sprawling industrial zones—make it hard for cyclists to travel between communities chi.streetsblog.org. By proposing on‑street bike lanes, off‑street trails, shared streets, and improved crossings journal-topics.com, the study’s goal is to create a network that invites everyone—commuters, parents with strollers, and even those using mobility devices—to leave their cars at home journal-topics.com.

🔍 What’s Happening Now?

Since early 2025, DoTH and a diverse steering committee have been gathering data and hosting interviews, public surveys, virtual meetings, and bike tours to understand where riders feel safe or stressedchi.streetsblog.org. Local advocacy groups like Friends of Cycling in Elk Grove Village are actively involved, organizing rides to highlight current conditions and identify missing linkschi.streetsblog.org. The study is also looking at how to tackle tricky areas—crossing highways, dealing with flood‑prone zones, and negotiating with multiple jurisdictionsjournal-topics.com.

📅 What’s Next?

Network strategies will be drafted later this year, with a final report expected in early 2026 suburbanchicagobicycling.com. That report will prioritize projects based on how easy they are to build, how well they align with other plans, and the availability of funding chi.streetsblog.org. For streets owned by the county, improvements like bike lanes can happen directly. On municipal or state‑owned roads, DoTH plans to coordinate with local governments and identify funding sources journal-topics.com.

🏠 Why This Matters to Homeowners

Better bike infrastructure isn’t just for cyclists—it’s a selling point for homeowners, too. Neighborhoods with safe, connected bike routes often see higher property values and increased desirability. Easy access to trails and bike lanes can reduce commuting stress, encourage healthy lifestyles, and attract buyers looking for sustainable transportation options. For those considering moving into communities like Des Plaines or Mount Prospect, this project signals ongoing investment in livability and mobility.

📣 How You Can Get Involved

If you live or work near O’Hare—or just care about a more bike‑friendly region—there’s still time to weigh in. DoTH is soliciting feedback through its online survey and public meetings journal-topics.com. Sharing your experiences can help ensure the final recommendations address real needs and improve travel for everyone.

Curious to learn more? You can dive into the Cook County Bike Plan and the O’Hare Area Bike Network Study for additional details chi.streetsblog.org. Feel free to reach out if you’re wondering how infrastructure improvements like these might impact your property value or your search for a new home. Together, we can support projects that make our communities safer, greener, and more connected.