Dear Members of the Evanston City Council, Mayor Biss, City Manager Stowe, and Clerk Mendoza, 

We write as a group of Evanston residents to express our deep disappointment with the lack of meaningful inclusion of pedestrian and bicycle safety priorities in the recently released 2025–2029 City Council Goals (Priorities). For many members of our community, the absence of these commitments is discouraging and raises concerns about the City’s continued dedication to creating safe, accessible streets for everyone.

It is particularly concerning that these priorities were excluded despite the significant community engagement the City has conducted since January 2026. During this time, Evanston hosted four ward-level community meetings as well as a dedicated engagement session with high school students, all of which saw strong participation from residents who emphasized the importance of safer streets for walking and biking. The omission of pedestrian and bicycle safety priorities creates a clear disconnect between the input gathered from these meetings and the policy direction being set by the City Council. It also appears inconsistent with Evanston’s stated climate commitments, including those outlined in the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), which identifies active transportation as a key strategy for reducing emissions and building a more sustainable community. 

Many residents rely on walking and biking not only for recreation but as essential modes of transportation for work, school, errands, and daily life. When safety improvements for these modes are not prioritized in the City’s guiding goals, it undermines years of progress and the shared vision of a healthier, greener, and more accessible community. We respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider its priorities and reinstate the commitments that were included in the January 12, 2026 draft goals under the Parks and Infrastructure section. Specifically, we ask that the City Council include the following: 

● Expansion of Evanston’s bicycle lane network 

● Acceptance and implementation of the 2026 Bike Plan Update 

● Implementation of meaningful pedestrian safety improvements throughout the city 

These actions are essential to improving roadway safety, advancing Evanston’s climate and sustainability goals, and ensuring that residents of all ages and abilities can move safely through our community. 

As residents, neighbors, and stakeholders in Evanston’s future, we strongly encourage the City Council to take this feedback seriously and restore these priorities within the 2025–2029 City Council Goals. Investing in pedestrian and bicycle safety is an investment in public health, environmental responsibility, and the well-being of our entire community. 

We appreciate your time, your service, and your willingness to listen to the voices of residents who care deeply about the safety and accessibility of our city.

Sincerely, 

Concerned Evanston Residents