Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities
Engineering Department - Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities
- Bike & Trail Map (PDF, 1 page, 1.1MB)
- Overview
Over the past few years, the Village of Gurnee has made an effort to improve the conditions of pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the Village. Each year sidewalks are placed in the right-of-way along Village streets to improve access and safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. Bicycle lanes and paths have been placed to allow and encourage residents to use their bicycles as alternate modes of transportation or for recreation.
- Pedestrian Facilities
Pedestrian facilities consist of sidewalks, pathways, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals at major intersections. Sidewalks are the most common form of pedestrian facilities. Most residential developers install sidewalk in new subdivisions. The Village, as part of its Capital Improvement Budget, approves new sidewalk locations each year. Locations are recommended by the Engineering Department based on pedestrian traffic, safety, need, the municipal sidewalk plan, and requests.
Pedestrian Signals are placed at major intersections where pedestrian traffic is high or crossing may be unsafe. Sometimes intersections are too complex geometrically for pedestrians to cross without pedestrian signals.
- Pedestrian Safety
Traffic signals are designed to assign right-of-way to motorized vehicles. Always use the buttons available for pedestrian signals. Unless the button is used, the pedestrian signal will not operate and pedestrians will not have ample time to cross the intersection safely.
Crosswalks are located where pedestrian signals are in place, where sidewalk routes with high foot traffic cross streets, and near school zones. Even though a pedestrian has legal right-of-way in a crosswalk, crossing should be done with awareness and caution. Whether a signal is present or not, cross quickly and carefully. Crosswalks and pedestrian signals will not protect you from reckless drivers or human error.
- Bicycle Facilities
A bikeway is defined as a road or path designed for bicycle travel, whether it is exclusive to bicycles or shared with other non-motorized means of transportation. Bikeways used by the Village include bike lanes and bike paths. Bike lanes are located on road edges designated by pavement markings and signage. Bike paths are completely separated from motorists by distance, trees, or other barriers. Currently under state law, bicyclists may use sidewalk for travel, yet it is discouraged due to possible conflicts with foot traffic and driveways. If you're riding on the roadway, remember to ride with the traffic flow.
The Village of Gurnee has created a Pedestrain/Bicycle Trail Master Plan to link neighborhoods, recreational facilities, schools, and commercial activity. The focal point of this plan is the Village Center. This plan also consists of existing neighborhood trails and proposed Village and regional trail routes. Many new facilities exist, and many more are planned.
One regional trail that offers miles of paths for bicyclists, horses, and foot pedestrians is the Des Plaines River Trail. The Lake County Forest Preserve has already constructed portions of this trail from Russell Road near the Wisconsin state line, south to Route 132 and near Route 137 south to Half Day Road. This 33-mile trail is planned to stretch from one end of Lake County to the other while intersecting with other regional trails. This path will be part of a national trail that will eventually extend from Canada to Florida.
Access points in Gurnee for the Des Plaines River Trail are on Kilbourne Road near the Mother Rudd Home and across from the Public Works Department. Vehicle parking is available. Residents are encouraged to use this trail for recreational, educational, and alternative transportation needs.
Several other bicycle facilities are available in Lake and Cook Counties. Residents should contact the Lake County Division of Transportation and the Lake County Forest Preserve concerning these facilities.
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The Village of Gurnee / Engineering Department / Last Revised 08/15/2003
