Six Corners makes its mark as Bike Friendly Business District

Last year, Active Transportation Alliance teamed up with Six Corners Association, Ald. John Arena and members of the Portage Park community to develop a vision for improving bicycle and pedestrian access to this historic commercial district.

This past weekend, Six Corners Association officially launched its Bike Friendly Business District initiative with the installation of two bike murals and two bike corrals, with help from 75 local community members.

Here’s more info on the new initiative from Six Corners Association’s press release:

Six Corners is launching its Bike Friendly Business District initiative this Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. with the installation of two full-sized bike murals and four bike corrals. More than 50 volunteers will also be on site to clean up and beautify the Six Corners Shopping District. 

To further its mission to make Six Corners more safe for all people who travel here, including motorists, pedestrians, bikers and those taking transit, Six Corners Association’s Design Committee crowd-funded $10,000 in one month during the fall of 2014 to purchase four bike corrals that offer more than 40 bike parking spots. Active Transportation Alliance offered assistance to conduct a travel audit, identify strengths as well as areas for improvement, and create an action plan in 2015.

Creating a bike-friendly Chicago is essential for the vibrancy of our communities by connecting us to our neighbors and our physical spaces, says Kelli Wefenstette, executive director of Six Corners Association.

In 2016, Six Corners Association plans to additionally have bike lanes and a Divvy station installed on Milwaukee Avenue as well as a People Spot in front of Josi's Frozen Yogurt Cafe. Volunteers are also in the process of conducting pedestrian counts.

Six Corners Association partnered with Tony Passero, Shawn Cassara and Arts Alive Chicago to create two bike-themed murals commissioned by SSA 28 to kick off the initiative.

Photo courtesy of Dominick Maino.