CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
title
Adopt the update to the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
body
DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Sydney Smith, Project Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On October 1, 2026 the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) approved a recommendation to adopt the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan update. Approved (8-0). Staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
The City adopted the previous Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 1997 and completed an interim update in 2006 to prioritize bicycle route implementation. These plans guided the development of Naperville’s sidewalk infill program and the construction of the existing bicycle network. Since 1997, Naperville’s population has increased, travel habits have evolved, and facility design standards have changed.
Improving mobility so “residents can move about the community with ease in a variety of modes,” is among the City’s key goals outlined in the Naperville 2027: Investing in Our Community Priorities Plan. Updating the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan to enhance walkability and bikeability for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities aligns with this goal.
This updated Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan recommends facility design guidance, policy updates, and infrastructure projects that aim to improve network connectivity and user comfort. Infrastructure recommendations will be evaluated in further detail and may be incorporated into the City’s annual roadway maintenance or Capital Improvement Program as new projects. The City can implement recommendations over the next 20-years to increase active mobility opportunities to meet evolving community needs.
DISCUSSION:
2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update
In August 2025, the City hired A. Epstein and Sons International, Inc. (Epstein) to develop an update to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. Over the past year, Epstein worked with staff to evaluate the existing conditions of Naperville’s active transportation network, perform a level of stress analysis of roadways and intersections, and gather public input. The results of the existing conditions analysis and public comments were utilized to develop project recommendations. Each of these steps is discussed in more detail below.
Public Involvement
Community input was a key component in developing this plan and played a role in each phase of the project.
Plan Framework
Two Stakeholder Meetings were conducted on November 5 and 6, 2025. Participants included the Naperville Accessible Community Task Force, Naperville Senior Task Force, Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force, the Naperville Park District, Naperville Public Library, and the Indian Prairie School District. Input heard during these meetings guided the plan vision and goals.
Existing Conditions Analysis
An online interactive map was open on the City website from September through December 2025. This map was utilized as a survey tool to gain public input on the ease of walking and bicycling throughout Naperville. There was a total of 1,373 interactions with the survey tool, which were analyzed to identify system gaps and barriers.
Pop-Up Event #1 took place at the Public Safety Open House on September 27, 2025. Event attendees were asked about their preferred destinations, which informed analysis on trip identifiers and attractors.
Design Guidance
Pop-Up Event #2 took place at the Naperville Halloween Hop on October 26, 2025 and Pop-Up Event #3 took place at the Park District Activity Center on January 31, 2026. Event attendees were asked about their preferred treatments for different roadway contexts and attitudes toward different trade-offs. Input was incorporated to determine what type of infrastructure improvements would be appropriate in Naperville.
Recommendations
Meetings were conducted with regional partner agencies on March 25 and April 7, 2026. Participants included the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, DuPage County Division of Transportation, and Naperville Park District. Proposed recommendations and opportunities for collaboration were discussed.
An Open House was held on April 23, 2026 to gain input on preliminary recommendations. An overview of the plan and the preliminary draft of the plan document were presented at the September 2026 TAB meeting for public comment (Attachments 3 and 4). Feedback from each event was incorporated to further refine project recommendations and guide revisions.
Existing Conditions Analysis
An existing conditions analysis was utilized to review the City’s current policies and plans that impact active mobility, as well as the connectivity and comfort of Naperville’s current network.
Gap & Barrier Analysis
This analysis evaluated connectivity of Naperville’s existing network by examining route continuity and access to desirable destinations. The locations of amenities, such as schools, parks, and shopping centers, were analyzed in relation to Naperville’s existing network to identify gaps. The physical environment and roadway conditions, including crash history and traffic volume, were analyzed to identify barriers, or points that disrupt route continuity and may require more complex solutions to overcome. Data on user behavior was also analyzed to identify cultural or behavioral barriers to walking and cycling.
Level of Stress Analysis
Level of Stress is a metric used to evaluate bicyclist and pedestrian comfort levels at intersections and roadway segments. Level of Stress is classified as a grade of 1 to 4, with 1 being very-low stress and comfortable for all ages and abilities and 4 being high stress and unsuitable for most adults. The Level of Stress grade is determined based on existing bicycle and crossing treatments and roadway characteristics, including number of travel lanes, traffic volumes and speeds, and on-street parking turn over. Analyzing the Level of Stress helps to identify locations where crossing and bicycle improvements may be needed to reduce traffic stress and to identify opportunities where cyclists and pedestrians can be directed to low-stress routes.
Findings
• Naperville offers an extensive sidewalk network, numerous recreational bicycling opportunities, and low-stress paths make up a majority of the existing bicycling network.
• There are a limited number of high-stress intersections and streets in Naperville, however the development pattern requires residents to travel on or across high-stress roadways to move between neighborhoods and access amenities.
• Key gaps include the on-street Downtown connection of the DuPage River Trail, connectivity to commercial and recreational areas in northeast Naperville, north-south connectivity on the east side of Naperville, and sidewalk gaps on arterial roadways.
• Key barriers include the BNSF railroad, state and county arterials, and the DuPage River.
• Cyclist and pedestrian comfort can be improved with low-stress, on-street routes through neighborhoods, side paths on arterials, and conspicuous crossing treatments.
Recommendations
Crossing Improvements
Ten locations with known crossing challenges are identified for treatments to improve cyclist visibility and drivers yielding to pedestrians.
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Toolkit provides design guidance on crossing treatments and intersection enhancements that may be considered at these locations, in addition to other crossings along recommended routes or with reported safety concerns.
Improve Existing On-street Network
Naperville’s existing facilities should be upgraded to meet current design practices where feasible. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Toolkit provides design guidance for on-street facilities that can be implemented to improve navigability and reduce traffic stress on existing routes.
Feasibility Studies
Five feasibility studies are recommended to evaluate the construction potential of strategic facilities in locations with known challenges. The recommended studies include:
• 87th Street Bridge crossing the DuPage River Trail
• Sidewalk infill on Naper Blvd, Lisson Rd, and Royce Rd
• DuPage River Trail extension through Downtown
Develop New Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
113 facility projects are recommended to expand the existing network and provide comfortable, low-stress routes. Recommendations include:
• 32 miles of new bicycle boulevard (low-stress, on-street routes)
• 15 miles of new bike lanes
• 37 miles of new sidepath/trails
• 12.2 miles of upgrades to existing facilities
Policies & Programs
Four policy recommendations are provided to guide decision-making and monitor the progress of implementation. Similarly, four program recommendations are provided to create opportunities to educate and encourage safe bicycling and walking.
Cost, Prioritization, & Implementation
The cost estimate for the construction of new facilities and consulting services for the feasibility studies is approximately $54.3M. Additional costs will be incurred for design and engineering phases and ongoing maintenance.
Recommendations are prioritized based on the existing conditions analysis, public input, and the ease of implementation. High-priority projects are locations that would have a higher impact and/or ease of implementation. Project prioritization is subject to change based on funding availability and community needs.
Project implementation is expected to take place through 2050. Recommendations should be incorporated into the City’s capital improvement planning and budgeting process. Projects may also be implemented in coordination with other road improvement or annual maintenance projects. This plan provides the initial concepts for each project. Facility design options, engineering, and public engagement are future steps in project implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A