Soles and Spokes Planning Process for Chicago Area Transportation

What is the Soles and Spokes planning process? 

The Soles and Spokes planning process is to improve the ability to get around metropolitan Chicago by foot or by bicycle, including non-motorized access to transit services.  The plan also addresses the needs of people with disabilities.  The plan will recommend policies and projects to improve the safety, convenience and frequency of walking and cycling throughout the region.  Facilitating walking and cycling are important components of efforts to improve regional mobility and livability, consistent with the GO TO 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan. 

Why does CMAP maintain a Soles and Spokes planning process?

Walking and cycling, alone and combined with transit, can help address concerns about congestion, pollution, social equity, public health, and quality of life. In addition, more accessible public rights of way can help address the mobility needs of people with disabilities.  The Soles and Spokes planning process identifies needs, promotes "best practices," and facilitate coordination by communities and Transportation agencies in northeastern Illinois.

Who is involved with the Soles and Spokes planning process?

The Chicago Metropolitan  Agency for Planning leads the Soles and Spokes planning effort. As the staff for the metropolitan planning organization for northeastern Illinois, CMAP leads the implementation of the GO TO 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan and develops the  Transportation Improvement Program for the region. CMAP also provides bicycle and pedestrian planning assistance to local communities and agencies.

To help develop the Soles and Spokes Plan, CATS, CMAP's predecessor, retained consultants from Edwards and Kelcey, Sprinkle Consulting, T.Y. Lin International, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, Suzan Pinsof Consulting, and the League of Illinois Bicyclists. However, the effort is now staffed by CMAP staff.  CMAP also assembled a steering group of representatives from area transportation agencies, communities and citizen groups. Public involvement has also played a critical role in the process.

What will the Soles and Spokes Planning Process do? 

• Report on existing conditions for bicycle and pedestrian transportation in northeastern Illinois. (complete)
• Identify gaps in existing conditions data. (complete)
• Update and improve the CMAP database of regional pedestrian and bicycle facilities. (complete)
• Identify national best practices for bicycle and pedestrian transportation and detail their possible effectiveness in northeastern Illinois. (on-going)
• Develop regional goals and objectives for bicycle and pedestrian transportation. (on-going)
• Propose programs, policies and projects for meeting and implementing the regional goals and objectives, including the identification of funding sources (on-going)
• Develop community briefing papers on bicycle and pedestrian strategies for voluntary use by local, regional, and state agencies. (on-going)
• Provide workshops and other training for planners and engineers to spread information about good practices related to improving the walking and cycling environment.  (on-going)
• Maintain a blog with weekly posts providing insights on walking and cycling planning and plan implementation focused on the Chicago region (on-going)

 

What is the process timeline? 

The process is continuous.  The project, initially envisioned as a stand-alone plan, is an on-going process to improve regional mobility and livability by supporting improvements to the walking and cycling environment, with an emphasis on transit access and accessibility for people with disabilities, consistent with the GO TO 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan.  A work plan is developed for the process each year.