Bicycle City Illinois

By Bicycle City Staff, Updated Thu, 06/28/2007 - 19:47
Table of Contents

Potential Bicycle City Locations
Introduction
Potential Illinois Bicycle City Locations
Alternative Energy Organizations and Companies in Illinois
Illinois Animal & Wildlife Groups
Illinois Business Organizations & Resources
Illinois Education Organizations & Resources
Illinois Environmental Groups
Illinois International Groups
Illinois State Government
Conclusion

Introduction

With its rich history and diverse topography, the Land of Lincoln presents a myriad of possibilities as a location for Bicycle City, Illinois. Numerous small cities and towns provide a rural environment, while extensive park and recreation facilities offer the opportunity to enjoy nature and the environment. A thriving network of public transportation options and non-motorized-use-restricted trails also highlight the Prairie State as an ideal location for Bicycle City, IL.

Illinois is bordered by the Mississippi River on the west and Lake Michigan on the east with terrain varying from prairie to rolling hills and abundant state parks, forests, lakes and recreation areas. As a result, Illinois offers a host of scenic backdrops for a Bicycle City, Ill., implementation.

Illinois offers both Amtrak rail service and bus service throughout the state, meeting the public transportation goals of a potential Bicycle City, Ill., location. Commuter rail service provided by Metra is also available in the Chicago metropolitan area. Both Amtrak and Metra service from downtown Chicago extend over state lines into Wisconsin to the northeast and into Indiana at the southeast border.

In the city of Chicago, alternative and self-powered transportation is integrated into city life and throughout the greater metropolitan area. Particular points of interest include the spectacular 20-mile path along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The Illinois Prairie Path through the western Chicago suburbs is one of the most well-known of an extensive network of trails throughout the state that showcase Illinois’ natural beauty and largely rural landscape. Non-motorized use trail maps are available from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

 

Potential Illinois Bicycle City Locations

Possible locations for Bicycle City, IL, might be located 10 or more miles away from the following Illinois towns:

Bloomington, IL
  • Population: 69,749
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 36 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 30, Feb. – 35, Mar. – 47, Apr. – 60, May – 72, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 84, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 77, Oct. – 64, Nov. – 48, Dec. – 35
  • Water: Lake Evergreen, Lake Bloomington, Mackinaw River
  • Adjacent Public Land: Comlara Park
  • Zip Codes: 61701, 61702, 61704, 61709, 61710, 61791, 61799
  • Other Highlights: Bloomington is home of Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
Carbondale, IL
  • Population: 24,806
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 45 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 39, Feb. – 45, Mar. – 55, Apr. – 66, May – 75, Jun. – 84, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 86, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 55, Nov. – 43, Dec. – 35
  • Water: Crab Orchard Lake, Rend Lake, Lake Kinkaid, Cedar Lake, Devil’s Kitchen, Little Grassy Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, Shawnee National Forest, Giant City State Park
  • Zip Codes: 62901, 62902, 62903
  • Other Highlights: Carbondale offers visitors and residents the Mississippi River Bike Trail, Trans America Bicycle Route and the Trail of Tears State Forest.
DeKalb, IL
  • Population: 42,085
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 37 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 26, Feb. – 32, Mar. – 44, Apr. – 58, May – 70, Jun. – 80, Jul. – 83, Aug. – 81, Sep. – 74, Oct. – 62, Nov. – 45, Dec. – 32
  • Water: Lake Decatur, Kishwaukee River
  • Adjacent Public Land: Shabona Lake State Park
  • Zip Codes: 60115
  • Other Highlights: DeKalb is home to the Great Western Trail and Northern Illinois University.
Decatur, IL
  • Population: 77,836
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 39 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 31, Feb. – 40, Mar. – 53, Apr. – 65, May – 76, Jun. – 84, Jul. – 87, Aug. – 85, Sep. – 79, Oct. – 67, Nov. – 52, Dec. – 39
  • Water: Lake Decatur, Sangamon River
  • Adjacent Public Land: Spitler Woods State Natural Area
  • Zip Codes: 62521, 62522, 62523, 62524, 62525, 62526
  • Other Highlights: Decatur is home to many historic Abraham Lincoln sites.
Galesburg, IL
  • Population: 32,017
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 37 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 25, Feb. – 35, Mar. – 47, Apr. – 61, May – 72, Jun. – 81, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 81, Sep. – 74, Oct. – 62, Nov. – 46, Dec. – 33
  • Water: Lake Storey, Mississippi River, Spoon Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Kiwanis Park, James Knox Park
  • Zip Codes: 61401, 61402
  • Other Highlights: Galesburg is the birthplace of Carl Sandburg and is home to Knox College and the National Railroad Hall of Fame.
Peoria, IL
  • Population: 112,685
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 36 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 30, Feb. – 36, Mar. – 49, Apr. – 62, May – 73, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 76, Oct. – 64, Nov. – 48, Dec. – 35
  • Water: Peoria Lake, Illinois River
  • Adjacent Public Land: Rock Island Trail State Park
  • Zip Codes: 61601, 61605, 61610, 61616
  • Other Highlights: Peoria is home to the Illinois River Country Nature Trail.
Rockford, IL
  • Population: 152,916
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 36 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 27, Feb. – 33, Mar. – 45, Apr. – 59, May – 71, Jun. – 79, Jul. – 83, Aug. – 80, Sep. – 73, Oct. – 61, Nov. – 45, Dec. – 32
  • Water: Rock River, Pierce Lake
  • Adjacent Public Land: Rock Cut State Park
  • Zip Codes: 61101, 61109, 61114, 61119, 61126
  • Other Highlights: Rockford is a thriving arts community with a local theatre, symphony, dance company, art gallery and 10 museums.
Springfield, IL
  • Population: 115,668
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 35 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 33, Feb. – 38, Mar. – 51, Apr. – 63, May – 74, Jun. – 83, Jul. – 86, Aug. – 84, Sep. – 78, Oct. – 66, Nov. – 50, Dec. – 38
  • Water: Lake Springfield, Sangamon River
  • Adjacent Public Land: Sangchris Lake State Park
  • Zip Codes: 62701, 62703, 62709, 62796
  • Other Highlights: Springfield is the state capitol and home to many historic Abraham Lincoln sites.
Urbana/Champaign, IL
  • Population: 38,463
  • Average Annual Rainfall: 41 inches
  • Average Monthly High Temperatures: Jan. – 32, Feb. – 37, Mar. – 49, Apr. – 62, May – 73, Jun. – 82, Jul. – 85, Aug. – 83, Sep. – 77, Oct. – 65, Nov. – 49, Dec. – 36
  • Water: Clinton Lake, Crystal Lake, Lake of the Woods
  • Adjacent Public Lands: Clinton Lake State Recreation Area
  • Zip Codes: 61820, 61821, 61822, 61824, 61825, 61826
  • Other Highlights: The city is home of the University of Illinois.
Bicycle City Potential Location Sources
Alternative Energy Organizations and Companies in Illinois
Illinois Animal & Wildlife Groups
Illinois Business Organizations & Resources
Illinois Education Organizations & Resources
Illinois Environmental Groups
Illinois International Groups
Illinois State Government
Conclusion

Rich in history, topography and open rural spaces, the Prairie State offers many ideal settings for a potential Bicycle City, Illinois. The state has already embraced the use of public and alternative transportation as a means to reduce congestion, pollution and waste. Illinois’ numerous environmental groups, alternative energy companies and bicycle organizations would provide a comprehensive network of resources for developing Bicycle City, IL. Furthermore, the state’s residents would benefit from new communities offering a more peaceful, safe and environmentally-conscious way of living.

Site Map: 
United States