City Council expresses early support for Lake Cook Road bike path

A proposed bike path along Lake Cook Road has the full support of the Highland Park City Council; though some members questioned its location.

The potential bike path along the north side of Lake Cook Road was discussed at the council’s regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, and while no formal vote was taken, all six councilmembers and Mayor Nancy Rotering said they were in favor of moving forward with the plans.

City Manager Ghida Neukirch explained that the Lake County Division of Transportation is proposing the project, which would be at least 8 feet in width and go as far west as Skokie Boulevard and as far east as Turnbull Woods Court, essentially connecting the Skokie Valley Trail and Robert McClory Bike Path.

Neukirch said the county spent much of 2024 in a public engagement process and found that 92% of those who responded to various surveys were in favor of the trail.

That process led the county to plan a path for the north side of the road for multiple reasons, including environmental concerns with impacts on nearby wetlands and the Skokie River floodplain and infrastructure concerns, such as the required widening of a bridge.

In the proposed north side path, Neukirch said the existing sidewalk would be widened and shifted away from homes, while the vehicle lanes would be shortened, reportedly to 11 feet in each direction. Traffic signals would also be installed for pedestrians.

She also said that Lake County would be funding the $10 million project, and Highland Park would only oversee the maintenance of the path, which would be accomplished through an intergovernmental agreement.

“Overall, they felt that this was the safest, most preferred option, just given all the vehicles, pedestrians, as well as cyclists in the area,” Neukirch said.

Rotering said she was in favor of the project, and in particular mentioned that she was happy to see that the sidewalk is planned to be widened.

“I think this is very needed to improve safety and especially ADA accessibility, particularly crossing the highway,” she said. “It’s always been a bit of a challenge and you always feel as though cars may or may not see you. … It’s a great addition to the nonvehicular connectivity of the community.”

Councilmember Annette Lidawer said that while she does support the path, she encouraged Highland Park staff to again speak with Lake County to see if there is another way they can build it on the south side of the road.

Lidawer said she frequently bikes along the south side of the road and feels safer there than on the north side.

“I know there’s no houses there, I know there’s no driveways,” she said. “So on the south side, I feel perfectly safe. But when we cross over, even though it’ll be a wider sidewalk, it’s still, ‘There’s a house, there’s a house, there’s a house,’ until we get to the highway.”

Lidawer suggested building an elevated wooden path on the south side, which she said would not interfere with the environment.

Ron Bannon, Highland Park’s public works director, said the county examined six different path options and said that “the south side has greater tree impacts, more mature trees” in addition to “utility issues.”

Councilmember Yumi Ross asked Bannon if the county ever considered not installing a path, but rather painted bike lanes. Bannon responded that he believes the county was looking for something more permanent to connect existing paths.

During public comment, resident Mark Portman said he was against the project, citing how busy Lake Cook Road is even without a bike path. He shared concerns about the path adding more congestion.

“I think this is a disaster waiting to happen,” he said.

Speaking in favor was Elliot Rossen, chair of the city’s Transportation Advisory Group, who said they unanimously voted to recommend the plan to the council.

“The bike path is designed for those people who are really not comfortable riding on the road, and those are the people you want to encourage,” he said. “You want to make sure they can get from the Skokie bike path down to the (Chicago) Botanic Gardens.”

The remaining councilmembers said they were in support of the path being on the north side, with Councilmember Barisa Bruckman saying it “has the potential to connect neighborhoods safely.”

She added that she believes her son would use the path.

“It (will give) him an easy, safe passage to the east side of the highway to get to his friends’ houses,” she said. “So I’m definitely in favor of this.”

Neukirch said she will report the council’s discussion to the county. The next steps will include developing a more formal plan and holding public information sessions.

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