Pratt Avenue Sharrows & Biking Information

The Village received an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant, a program that provides funding to support projects that will enhance modes of transportation and improve the quality of life for community members. This awarded grant has been put towards the installation of bike lane lining and signing on Pratt Avenue. The implementation of new bike lane lining and signing stems from Cook County and the Village's goal to improve multi-modal connectivity within the Village and between neighboring communities.

The bike lane lining is in the form of shared lane markings, also referred to as "sharrows." Sharrows" represent a shared lane environment with motorists and bicyclists.

Signage

Signage is also placed along Pratt Avenue to help indicate to both bicyclists and drivers that this section of the roadway is a bike route and that the road needs to be shared. View some examples of signage (PNG).

Location

Sharrows and signage have been placed along Pratt Avenue, between the Union Pacific (UP) Trail and McCormick Boulevard This path can be seen in the Pratt Avenue Bike Sharrows Map (JPG).

Benefits of a Bike Sharrows & Signage

• Sharrows and signage help bicyclists determine where they should ride on the road
• Provide connectivity between UP Trail and the North Shore Channel Trail
• Provide awareness and priority for bicyclists traveling along Pratt Avenue
• Increase safety precautions taken by motorists as well as bicyclists
• Reduce the risk of a bicyclist hitting an open door of a parked automobile
• Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling
• Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists

How to Use Sharrows

As a bicyclist:

• Position themselves in the lane centered on the sharrow
• Use proper hand signaling (PNG) when making turns (right and left), slowing down, and stopping

As a driver:

• When approaching a bicyclist riding on the sharrow path, slow down and follow cautiously
• Check if passing is available and safe. If there are no oncoming cars traveling from the opposite direction and if it is safe to do so, then pass the cyclist on the left. You may encroach into the other lane of traffic in order to provide at least 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicyclist.
• Do not aggressively speed up to pass a bicyclist or try to squeeze next to a cyclist to avoid going into the adjacent lane.

Bicycling Resources

• Active Transportation Alliance: A non-profit advocacy organization that works to improve conditions for bicycling, walking, and transit and engage people in healthy and active ways to get around.
• Bike/Pedestrian Paths
  • Centennial Park Trail - Recreation Path
  • Union Pacific (UP) Trail - Recreation Path
  • Valley Line Trail - Recreation Path
• Forest Preserves of Cook County Interactive Map: Interactive map showing bike and trail routes within and traveling through forest preserves for all of Cook County.
• Ride Illinois: Ride Illinois is a non-profit organization focused on bike-friendly roads and trails, advocating for favorable legislation that will benefit bicyclists, and educating bicyclists and motorists on a variety of related topics.
• Village of Lincolnwood Bikeway Plan (PDF)