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Only 24 percent of jobs in the region are accessible by transit in 90 minutes or less by a typical resident — and that number drops to 12 percent in the suburbs.

Wheeling dedicates new biking/walking path to Phyllis Harmon

Aug 27, 2013 | by Active Trans

The Village of Wheeling will honor former resident Phyllis Harmon by dedicating a new portion of the Dundee Road bicycle/pedestrian path to her./

Harmon helped found the Wheeling Wheelmen in 1970, helped reestablish the League of American Bicyclists after World War II, and provided guidance to the Active Transportation Alliance when it began 27 years ago as the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation.

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation inducted Harmon into its Hall of Fame in 2006, and in November 2010 she became the oldest living inductee of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. Harmon currently lives in Florida and continues to ride (see photo).

The Active Transportation Alliance prepared an Active Transportation Plan for the Village of Wheeling this year. The Wheelmen requested the dedication of a path in the plan (between the Des Plaines River and the I-294 tollway) to Harmon.

The segment, when complete, will provide residents of many communities a safe connection for commuting and recreational riding, including access to the 53-mile Des Plaines River Trail segment that is part of the 475-mile Grand Illinois Trail.

Each year, the Wheeling Wheelmen honor Harmon with an annual ride called the Harmon 100. This year's event takes place on Sept. 8.

In recent years, Harmon shared details about her life in the Active Trans newsletter.