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Programs >> Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues >>
Funding and Other Resources
Your planning efforts need not be constrained by limited implementation resources; a "grand plan" can become your tool for attracting them! For example, in competitive project selection processes, projects included in comprehensive plans often have an edge over stand-alone projects. A strategy of combining funding and other resources can be used to enlarge the pool of available resources. Whether you are trying to implement a comprehensive multi-year bicycle plan or complete a specific project, the strategies and programs described below can help you secure the resources you need.
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Information for this document was gathered from the Soles and Spokes 2000 Awards for Excellence Nominations, interviews with members of CATS' bike/ped task force, and representatives of various implementing agencies.
For more details, contact the agencies directly. Also, if you have a success story to share, please let us know!
Piggybacking
It is more cost effective to include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations into a larger scale transportation project than it is to retrofit. Seek out opportunities to get involved in the early planning stages.
Road and Transit Projects - Refer to the policies and bikeway network in your bicycle plan to help justify the accommodation of cyclists in local road projects. If a road is being resurfaced, work with the implementation agency to restripe it to include bicycle lanes or wide curb lanes. If a bridge is being reconstructed, make sure cyclists and pedestrians will have a way to safely and comfortably get across it. If a train station is being built, make sure pedestrians and cyclists have a way to easily access it. These processes don’t necessarily require special money for bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, but they do require working closely with IDOT, County DOTs and local public works departments. Participating in the early design stages of a project is highly recommended, as in the case of the South Lake Shore Drive Preliminary Engineering Study.
Development Projects. Another no-cost implementation strategy is to pass ordinances that require new developments to be designed in accordance with your bicycle and pedestrian plans. For example, ordinances and zoning can mandate including sidewalks, providing bicycle parking, designing streets that discourage speeding and building car parking facilities that minimize pedestrian conflicts at entrance and exit points.
Local Funds
Work with your city council or town board to allocate resources for planning, engineering studies and specific projects. Outside agencies are often more willing to fund projects that have already begun.
General Revenues. Downer’s Grove used general revenues to develop their comprehensive bicycle plan. Wheaton's Park District used capital funds to upgrade a path system that provides access to the train station and a grade school.
TIF Districts. These revenues can be used to improve conditions for walkers and cyclists as part of larger development projects. Arlington Heights used TIF money to help pay for the reconstruction of its pedestrian and bicycle friendly Metra station.
State and Regional Resources
Illinois Department of Natural Resources. IDNR administers Outdoor Recreation Grants-in-Aid programs. These funds have helped build projects such as the Skokie Valley Trail. The ones most relevant for bicycle and pedestrian planning include:
- Bicycle Path Program--helps with the acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of public, non-motorized bicycle paths and directly related support facilities. Applications are accepted between January 1 and March 1 of the calendar year.
- Recreational Trails Program--provides up to 80% funding assistance for acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized recreation trails. Applications are due March 1.
- Open Land Trust Grant Program--provides grants to eligible local governments to protect open space and provide enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities. Land acquired form the program must be maintained in perpetuity for public open space and natural resource recreational purposes. The deadline for submitting applications is publicly announced each year.
- Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development and Land and Water Conservation Fund-- assists local government agencies in the acquisition and development of land for public parks and open space. Applications are accepted between May 1 and July 1 of the calendar year.
State and Community Traffic Safety Program. Administered by IDOT, safety (402) funds have been used to produce educational materials, such as Safe Bicycling in Illinois.
Operation Greenlight. These funds, administered through IDOT’s Department of Public Transit, can be used for capital projects that increase non-motorized access to transit. The Village of Vernon Hills used OGL funds to construct a connection between the Sullivan Woods bike path (which was funded with STP funds, below) and the Metra station. Naperville used the funds to provide sheltered bike storage at its Metra station. Other municipalities have used the funds to construct sidewalks that improve access to Pace bus stops.
Member Initiative Money. State legislators have discretionary funds that can be used for projects of their choice. They can be powerful allies for pulling together and providing resources for projects that span municipalities. When the Village of Roselle was seeking support for the design and construction of a bridge crossing Lake Street (a busy, multi-lane lane arterial) to the Village of Bloomingdale, Representative Carole Pankau and Senator Doris Karpiel provided $250,000 each—the final pieces of the funding puzzle on this project. The bridge is expected to be completed in 2002.
Corridor Planning Grant Program. This new, five-year, $15 million grant program for local governments helps communities develop land use and infrastructure plans that promote efficient use of transportation facilities and improve quality of life. The program will fund planning activities that promote the integration of land use, transportation and infrastructure facility planning in major transportation corridors in Illinois. The goals of the program are to: 1) promote land use and transportation options that reduce the growth of congestion 2) connect infrastructure and development decisions 3) promote balanced economic development that reduces infrastructure costs and 4) promote intergovernmental cooperation. The program is administered by IDOT. For more information, visit: www.dot.state.il.us/corridorplanning/corridor.html or call 217.782.2863.
Federal Funds and Programs
TEA-21 includes policies and funding categories that make it easier to plan and build for non-motorized users of roadways. The planning liaison who works with your community can help you identify federal funding opportunities.
Local and State Programmed Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. Many councils give priority to road projects that include bicycle or pedestrian accommodations during the programming of the local Surface Transportation Program, and some have made stand-alone bike/ped projects eligible for these funds. The City of Chicago used local STP funds for the development of its Streets for Cycling Plan. In the FY01-04 Transportation Improvement Program, 12% of all locally programmed STP projects included some attention to the walking and cycling environment.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. This program funds projects designed to reduce congestion and air quality problems in the region and is administered at CATS. Projects have included bottleneck reductions, transit station improvements, bicycle racks, bicycle lanes, pedestrian overpasses and promotion programs. In the last round of project selection, 5% of CMAQ funds went to bicycle and/or pedestrian projects. CMAQ funds require a minimum 20% local match. The deadline for the FY03 application is March 1, 2002.
Transportation Enhancements 10% of a state's STP program is set aside for transportation projects that enhance and preserve communities. These funds can be used for bicycle and pedestrian projects. Illinois has already programmed all of its enhancement funds for TEA-21. http://www.dot.state.il.us/opp/iltep.html
Hazard Elimination Program 10% of a state's STP program is set aside for projects designed to address safety problem areas. TEA-21 made bicycle and pedestrian projects eligible for these funds, and California has passed a bill setting aside 25% of its hazard elimination funds to improve safety around schools.
Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program - The FY01 TCSP earmarks included the Walkable Edgewater Initiative ($100,000) and the Heritage Corridor Project Study ($200,000).
Partnerships
Chambers of commerce and tourism can promote shopping and visiting by foot and bike. In Woodridge, the local chamber of commerce prints and distributes a community map that includes bikeways. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs also administers grants and provides technical assistance through programs such as the Illinois Main Street Program.
Law enforcement officials can promote bicycle safety as part of their school outreach efforts.
Health care providers can promote walking and biking as ways to avoid a physically inactive lifestyle. The Illinois Department of Public Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity Section is promoting the value of walking and biking for purposeful trips, like errands and work commutes.
Employers can create incentives for employees to walk or cycle by providing showers, bike parking, a guaranteed ride home in an emergency, flex time, transit subsidies, and the cash equivalent of free parking benefits. The suburban bike rack program can help with bicycle parking needs. Also visit www.commuterconnections.org (a resource in Washington, DC with good advice for employers on promoting bike commuting).
Schools can promote the benefits of cycling and walking.
Community groups can contribute time and labor to the planning and construction of facilities. In Batavia, volunteer labor made possible a new riverwalk.
Cycling and walking groups are a source of vocal and knowledgeable advocates willing to assist in planning and lobbying for improvements. The League of Illinois Bicyclists maintains a list of local bicycle clubs. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the Center for Neighborhood Technology are also good resources.
Advocacy organizations can provide lobbying support, technical assistance and funding. Bikes Belong recently granted the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation $10,000 to assist with the design and implementation of the Navy Pier Flyover, one of CDOT’s projects.
The media can help promote your facilities and programs. BikeChicago2000 got extensive media coverage, including the reproduction of its new map in a Sunday edition of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The private sector can donate money, land and other resources. The recently constructed path on the south side of the Chicago River received 50% of its funding from the adjacent Illinois Center.
Last Updated: December 10, 2001
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