Bicycle and Pedestrian

City of Des Plaines Active Transportation Plan Update

We are excited to share with you our updated Active Transportation Plan.  Over the last year, we have worked with representatives from county and state agencies, neighboring communities, bike and pedestrian advocate groups and the public to gain input on problem areas and needed facilities in Des Plaines.  The Active Transportation Plan aims to improve safety and enhance connectivity for people walking, bicycling, and rolling across the City. This plan builds on the City’s current bicycle and pedestrian network and serves as a guide to improve connections to regional trails and community destinations.

The Plan was presented and adopted at the City Council meeting on April 20, 2026.  We appreciate everyone's participation and feedback during the plan development, and we look forward to continuing to make Des Plaines a safer place to walk, bike and roll! Click the links below for the plan documents:

For questions, comments or more information, contact the Public Works and Engineering Department at engineering@desplainesil.gov or 847-391-5390.

Bicycle Network Overview

The City of Des Plaines continues to make our community more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. In fact, for more than a decade, the City has has included bike lanes and/or shared use paths in in all roadway projects, as called for in our Complete Streets Policy. It is our goal to improve the quality of life for residents by having an integrated transportation network that serves all users and provides connections between neighborhoods, parks, schools and commercial areas throughout the city. The City of Des Plaines' Bicycle network consists of:

• 15 miles of signed on-street routes
• 5+ miles of shared lane markings or another supportive pavement markings
• 100+ bicycle racks 

Planning and Partnerships

The City has worked closely with many agencies to develop and implement our active transportation and bicycle/pedestrian improvement plans. Thank you to our local bicycle community, the Des Plaines Park District and the Active Transportation Alliance for your support and partnership. The City continues to work together with these groups and seek and apply for grant opportunities to achieve the goals and strategies outlined in the plans.