Elmhurst Named a Bike-Friendly Community

The City of Elmhurst has been designated a Bike Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. 

This was no small task; achieving the designation has been a focus of the Elmhurst Bike Task Force for several years, said Bob Hoel, chairman.

"It has taken a concerted effort of the Bike Task Force over a period of four years to get here and something we should be very proud of," Hoel said in an email Tuesday night.

Elmhurst is among fewer than 300 cities nationwide to receive the designation. Each year, the League of American Bicyclists assesses communities across the country to determine if they've met the criteria of a Bike Friendly Community. The League looks at the "5 E's," among other things, in making the determination, according to the League's website: 

• Engineering: Creating safe and convenient places to ride and park
• Education: Giving people of all ages and abilities the skills and confidence to ride
• Encouragement: Creating a strong bike culture that welcomes and celebrates bicycling
• Enforcement: Ensuring safe roads for all users
• Evaluation and Planning: Planning for bicycling as a safe and viable transportation option

Elmhurst's Bike Task Force encourages the use of bicycles, educates the public about safe cycling practices and looks for opportunities to increase access to public facilities. The Task Force includes members of Elmhurst College, Elmhurst Hospital, Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce, Elmhurst City Centre, Elmhurst Park District, Elmhurst Public Library, Elmhurst School District 205, City of Elmhurst and Elmhurst residents.

Read more about Elmhurst's Bike Task Force here.