The League of American Bicyclist recently honored The City of Rockford with an honorable mention as a bike-friendly community. The city has made significant advancements over the years by incorporating more than 50 miles of on-street bike facilities and 21 miles of multi-use off-street paths. Matt Bartholomew, a Rockford native and manager at TREK Bicycle Rockford, recalls a time when such extensive biking options were not available, emphasizing the city’s positive evolution.
On the other hand, Sam Abruzzo, the Owner of The Bicycle Connection for over 30 years, expressed surprise at Rockford’s recognition, highlighting existing traffic-related concerns regarding bike lanes. Despite the progress, both Bartholomew and Abruzzo believe there is more room for improvement in connecting different parts of the city through enhanced biking infrastructure. The Vulnerable Road Users law, which aims to protect cyclists from unnecessary danger caused by motor vehicles, is a step in the right direction, but more work is needed to create a seamless biking network in Rockford.
Looking ahead, Bartholomew suggests creating connections from the west end of town to the river, emphasizing the importance of a well-connected biking system for the community. The Rockford Park District and Region 1 Planning Council have already initiated steps to link area bike and multi-use paths, contributing to the city’s overall biking appeal.
In summary, while Rockford basks in the glory of being recognized for its bike-friendly initiatives, there is still room for growth and improvement in expanding and enhancing the biking infrastructure across the city.