The Bike and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (BPSAP) was designed to improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety throughout the Illinois Medical District (IMD)
What the plan does
For additional information, view and share the BPSAP factsheet
About the plan
The Illinois Medical District Master Plan, completed in 2016, aims to promote bicyclist and pedestrian safety throughout the IMD. The IMD launched its first Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (BPSAP) to:
- Identify various sites that warrant infrastructural improvements
- Incorporate user/ridership feedback to inform planning processes
- Identify key performance metrics for plan implementation
- Shed light on potential community resources that may be leveraged in the pursuit of future project funding
The BPSAP focuses on:
- Understanding the existing conditions for transit access, bicycle facilities, pedestrian infrastructure, overall accessibility, and safety needs and improvements
- Establishing a vision and metrics to meet the needs of the IMD
- Developing recommendations and strategies to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety throughout the IMD
The plan proposes improvements based on community input and examines the benefits and effects that the proposed improvements will have on the community and the local urban environment.
Community Engagement
All IMD community members were included throughout the community engagement strategy, including residents, students, employers, employees, frequent users, local organizations, and advocates. A robust community engagement strategy was critical to addressing the issues of bike and pedestrian safety in and around the IMD. Engagement included a dedicated working group, targeted small group meetings, informational project ambassadors, promotional tabling events, and site walks/rides.
What is the IMD?
The Illinois Medical District is the largest concentration of healthcare institutions, biotechnology hubs, and technology-based incubators in the Chicago region. The IMD brings together an ecosystem of enterprises that have inspired medical breakthroughs for more than 70 years. With more than 40 healthcare-related facilities, labs, universities, and incubators the IMD is over 560 acres of collaboration and partnerships aiming to reshape the practice of medicine.
Improvement Sites
The BPSAP reviewed sites of potential improvement across the IMD. The boundaries of the IMD include W Congress Pkwy to the North, S Ashland Ave to the East, W 15th St to the South, and S Oakley Ave to the West. They also encompass, but are not limited to, the following institutions, systems, and organizations.
- Cook County Health & Hospitals System
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Rush University Medical Center
- University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System
- American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
- Illinois Action for Children
- Malcolm X College
- UIC College Prep
- DCFS
- FBI
