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While the Chicago region’s population grew by 18 percent since 1980, the traffic increased by 66 percent in the same period.

Bike racks find a new home thanks to local partnerships

Jan 25, 2024 | by Active Trans

It was an early holiday surprise in mid-December when the residents of Baldwin-Green apartment complex in Palatine acquired six bike racks valued at $3,000.

The bike racks, which were being discarded by the Chicago Botanic Garden, initially didn’t have a new home.

Then the Chicago Botanic Garden reached out to the Chicago Tool Library to offer the racks as a donation.

Active Transportation Alliance got involved, as did the Bike Palatine Club and the Palatine Park District, which delivered the racks.

Also involved in the process was Partners for Our Communities, a local Palatine agency that provides resources and programs for immigrants. The organization — which focuses on adult literacy, health and wellness, and youth engagement — serves clients who reside at the Baldwin-Green apartments, located in northeast Palatine.

Bike Palatine Club President Tom Lucas said the club was aware of a need for bike parking at the apartment complex. “We just discussed this at our last board meeting,” he said.

After eight days of phone calls and coordination, the bike racks arrived at the apartment complex.

Altogether, this dynamic alliance of groups worked seamlessly to make this unexpected gift a reality.

“These racks have been on the wish list for months,” said Partners for Our Communities Liaison Rachel Lara. “It’s fantastic how partnership made it happen.”

 

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This blog post was written by guest contributor Ralph Banasiak. Photos courtesy of Ralph Banasiak.

Top photo: Bike Palatine Club member Ralph Banasiak (left) with Rachel Lara (center) and Erick Flores (right) from Partners for Our Communities welcome the arrival of bike racks in Palatine.

Bottom photo: Palatine Park District staff, John Krewer (left) and Mark Turf, are ready to deliver six donated bike racks from the Chicago Botanic Garden’s pole barn lot to the Baldwin-Green apartment complex.