Riverside officials on Feb. 19 approved the creation of a bike and pedestrian plan for the village, which will create a framework to improve safety for those walking and cycling through town.
The plan, as devised by Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., Riverside’s contracted engineering firm, will be created with feedback from the village and the community and will leave Riverside with recommendations for projects that can be implemented in the near-term, mid-term and long-term.
Near-term projects will be “low-hanging fruit” that Riverside can program into its budget or include in resurfacing projects within five years, according to a letter from Burke to the village. Mid-term projects may need additional funding, while long-term projects will be major and require staff to pursue large-scale grants.
The agreement with Burke will see its engineers reviewing Riverside’s policies and transportation plans and other plans focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety throughout the region, according to the letter. Engineers will “analyze the existing conditions” to determine which areas pose the most challenges and where constraints exist, taking into mind where people are coming from and where they’re trying to go.
The final project will categorize projects for implementation and connect some projects to specific grant opportunities for the village to pursue.
Burke quoted the village $52,153 to develop the plan, although trustees agreed to budget $55,000 toward the project just in case.
“If additional public engagement or other meetings are required, we have that buffer. We won’t have to come back to the village for a change order,” said Village Manager Jessica Frances.
She said the plan will include connector routes that pass through Riverside.
At the village board’s meeting, Valerie Kramer, the founder of community cycling and transit advocacy group Ride Riverside, thanked trustees and village staff for considering the plan. Last year, Kramer brought forth a petition with more than 170 resident signatures calling for the implementation of Vision Zero, a framework to bring about the end of traffic-related injuries and deaths altogether.
“We asked for safer streets, traffic calming for our children and a commitment to reject the idea that traffic injuries are inevitable. Now, just months later, the village is moving forward to begin developing a comprehensive bike and pedestrian plan,” she said. “It is not lost on me what a victory this is for the children who will navigate a busy morning school drop-off on bike or on foot. This plan will also benefit drivers by helping our streets function more safely and predictably for everyone.”
Correction, March 5, 2026, 3:55 p.m.: A previous version of this story misquoted Kramer. She spoke of traffic calming, not traffic quality. The Landmark regrets this error.
