About Evanston » Transportation

Downtown Safe Sidewalk Initiative

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No Riding on Downtown Sidewalks

To help keep pedestrians safe downtown, the City does not allow you to ride on the sidewalks in downtown Evanston. While you can still ride on the streets, if you choose to go on the sidewalk you must dismount your bicycles, skateboards, scooters, in-line skates, or roller skates within the boundaries of downtown.

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Riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and in-line skates on downtown sidewalks is prohibited under INSERT LINK TO ORDINANCE, and violators can be fined.

While the City recognizes that there is a great deal of work to be done to create safe micro-mobility infrastructure in Downtown Evanston, sidewalks must remain safe for all. The City is actively working on a plan to establish a connected, low-stress network of routes for bicycles and other micro-mobility vehicles in Downtown Evanston and across Evanston.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping make our downtown a pedestrian-friendly place for all to enjoy.

Did you know?

According to the American Community Survey, nearly 29 percent of Evanston residents walk, bike, or use public transit to get to work. About 16 percent of Evanston households don’t have a car, and almost half own just one. With such a variety of ways to get around, Evanston’s transportation network serves a wide range of users—including our sidewalks, which play a key role in keeping everyone moving safely.

To keep our sidewalks safe for pedestrians, riding bikes, scooters, and other small mobility devices isn’t allowed on sidewalks in Downtown Evanston or in other areas where signs are posted.

We know our cycling and micromobility network needs improvements to make low-stress, connected travel possible throughout Evanston. That’s why, beginning in 2025, the City will offer public Transportation Cycling courses to help residents gain the skills and confidence to ride safely on bikes, scooters, and other devices.

Stay in the loop! Join our new Transportation and Mobility email list to get updates on courses and other news.