Bikeways
Did you know that the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is more than just roads? LCDOT has about 60 miles of bike paths and bike lanes as part of the Lake County highway system and continues to consider non-motorized travel a high priority.
Whenever possible, bike paths are added during a reconstruction and widening project, and bike-friendly shoulders are added where appropriate during resurfacing projects. LCDOT works with municipal agencies and other partners to look for opportunities to connect the dots and fill the gaps in the non-motorized network. Overall, Lake County has over 550 total miles of trails and bike ways connecting forest preserves and communities!
Good transportation policies are based on the premise that the public right-of-way is to be shared and well-designed road corridors should accommodate all users. Not only does this provide more travel options to our residents, but it can also help with:
Single folded copies of the County Highway and Bikeway Map (two-sided) are available free at the Lake County Division of Transportation office, at the information desk located in the lobby of the County Government Center in Waukegan and at most municipal administration offices.
Application to request closure of a county bikeway for special events of public interest and filming for a movie, television, commercial, or documentary. Please contact the Lake County Division of Transportation for more information.
NEW! View the interactive County Bikeways Map
Lake County’s Bikeway Map (PDF)
Lake County Bikeway Special Event or Temporary Closure Permit (Fillable PDF, 88KB)
Whenever possible, bike paths are added during a reconstruction and widening project, and bike-friendly shoulders are added where appropriate during resurfacing projects. LCDOT works with municipal agencies and other partners to look for opportunities to connect the dots and fill the gaps in the non-motorized network. Overall, Lake County has over 550 total miles of trails and bike ways connecting forest preserves and communities!
Good transportation policies are based on the premise that the public right-of-way is to be shared and well-designed road corridors should accommodate all users. Not only does this provide more travel options to our residents, but it can also help with:
- Cleaner, healthier air
- Less congested roadways
- More livable, safe and cost-efficient communities
Media and Downloads
Single folded copies of the County Highway and Bikeway Map (two-sided) are available free at the Lake County Division of Transportation office, at the information desk located in the lobby of the County Government Center in Waukegan and at most municipal administration offices.
Application to request closure of a county bikeway for special events of public interest and filming for a movie, television, commercial, or documentary. Please contact the Lake County Division of Transportation for more information.
NEW! View the interactive County Bikeways Map
Lake County’s Bikeway Map (PDF)
Lake County Bikeway Special Event or Temporary Closure Permit (Fillable PDF, 88KB)
Bikes on Pace Buses: Pace operates more than 200 bus routes throughout Chicago's suburbs, making connections to hundreds of employment sites, shopping centers, recreational areas and bicycle paths. Most buses are equipped with bicycle racks. Express routes and certain feeder routes do not have bike racks.
Metra Bicycle Policy: Bicycles are permitted on all weekday trains arriving in Chicago after 9:30am and leaving Chicago before 3:00pm or after 7:00pm, and on all weekend trains. Accommodation for bikes may be restricted during the following events:
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
- Blues Festival
- Taste of Chicago
- Lollapalooza
- Chicago Air & Water Show
Bike to Metra Guides: Ride Illinois has produced “Bike to Metra” guides for many towns in our region. The guides also have tips for commuting by bike, such as selecting a bicycle, finding a route, clothing and staying clean. You can find a list of completed guides at the Ride Illinois website.
Clubs and Meetups
Bicycle Club of Lake County
Serves members in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
Lake County Bicycle Group
The Lake County Bicycle Group offers various road and trail rides for all ability and experience levels around Lake and McHenry Counties, as well as southern Wisconsin.
Ride Illinois
Ride Illinois (formerly the Illinois League of Bicyclists) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving bicycling conditions in Illinois.
Round Lake Bicycle Club
Round Lake area meetup for recreational group riding.
Please contact us to add your bike club to this list.
Bike Shops
Antioch Cyclery
890 Main St, Antioch, IL 60002
(847) 395-6500
B&G Cyclery
131 E Rollins Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
(847) 740-0007
George Garner Cyclery Libertyville
Lake Bluff Hub and Cycle740 N. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 362-6030
79 East Scranton Ave. Lake Bluff, IL 60044
(224) 544-5749
M&M Cyclery
734 Butterfield Rd, Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 362-2451
Ray's Bike and Mower
612 East Hawley St, Mundelein, IL 60060
(847) 566-5644
Zion Cyclery
2750 Sheridan Rd, Zion, IL 60099Please contact us to add your bike shop to this list.
(847) 746-2200
Other Resources
Active Transportation Alliance
Advocates for transportation that encourages and promotes safety, physical activity, health, recreation, social interaction, equity, environmental stewardship and resource conservation.
Lake County Forest Preserve District
Maps of Lake County Forest Preserve District’s award-winning facilities in more than 30,000 acres. Most preserves are open from 6:30 a.m. until sunset.
Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails (2018 Plan Map)
This map features both existing and proposed elements and includes about 2,700 miles of trails (700 more miles than in 1997), 4,199 miles of stream greenways, and 1,357 miles of land-based greenways.
Resources for Safe Cycling
NHSA’s Kids "Bicycle Safety Activity Kit" (en Espanol: "Seguridad en Bicicletas"), provides parents, caregivers, teachers, community leaders, and children with tools to learn the important basics about bicycle safety. For additional information about helmets, pedestrian safety, and safe driving practices, visit the NHSA Bicycle Safety webpages.
Know the Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road (PDF)
This booklet provides bicyclists and pedestrians the information needed to stay safe while sharing the road with motorists.
Check out Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
Safety tips from the Federal Highway Administration/US Department of Transportation.
Know the Illinois Statutes Regarding Bicycles
List of each state’s laws related to bicycling produced by the League of American Bicycling.
State statute from the Illinois General Assembly addressing e-bikes
Did You Know?
Typical Crashes Involving Child Bicyclists
Most are caused by the bicyclists, such as riding out of a residential driveway, alley or side street without first looking, failing to stop at stop signs or traffic lights, and making left turns without first looking over their shoulder for approaching traffic and signaling. With training, these crashes can be prevented.
Typical Crashes Involving Adult Bicyclists
Most are caused by motorists, such as failing to yield when making turns in front of bicyclists and failing to yield at stop signs and traffic lights. The exception: bicyclists riding against the flow of traffic. By sharing the road, observing traffic laws, and being patient and courteous, these crashes can be prevented by motorists and bicyclists.
Related Resources from the Lake County Health Department
Focus on Fitness Cycling Video
Focus on Fitness Benefits of Walking Video
Coming Soon
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| The Millennium Trail connects to other regional trails in Lake County (click picture for full map) | A new bike path is under construction currently along Peterson Rd. | New bike path along Petite Lake Rd. |
LCDOT has recently completed or is currently constructing new bike paths along Peterson Rd, Hawley St, Petite Lake Rd, and Washington St. These paths will establish and expand regional trail connections in the County, including extending the Millennium Trail.
- Hawley St (Millennium Trail)
- North Shore Bike Path
- Petite Lake Rd Bike Path
- Washington St (Atkinson to Lancer) Bike Path
- Washington St Thoroughfare Bike Path
In the Works
LCDOT publishes its Five Year Plan annually. This plan includes various preservation, modernization, and expansion projects for County roads and bikeways over the next 5 years. Some highlighted bikeway projects included in the current plan are:
- Skokie Valley Bike Path: Construct a new bridge over Lake Cook Rd to connect to Cook County trails
- IL Rte 137 Bike Path: A new bike path is planned along IL Rte 137 between IL Rte 21 and the Naval Base in North Chicago
- Deerfield Rd Bike Path: Create a connection between existing paths between IL Rte 21 and the Des Plaines River Trail
Down the Road
Lake County's 2040 Transportation Plan: Bicycle Priorities (PDF)
The Lake County 2040 Transportation Plan includes a component to address the needs of bicyclists by proposing a countywide trunk system of facilities. The proposed trunk system builds upon existing facilities through a combination of trail extensions or new paths to accommodate the increasing demand for bicycle travel in Lake County. Where possible, the proposed trunk system recommends the use of utility corridors, abandoned rail alignments and those roadways carrying relatively lower traffic volumes as the primary service routes throughout the county. Access to and from the trunk system is to be made via connections from trails in the Lake County Forest Preserves and from existing and proposed municipal paths.