Getting from Here to There: Two Teens Share Vision for Improved Mobility in Kane County
Kane County transportation officials recently met with the Saint Charles Urban Design Advocates, a nonprofit organization founded by St. Charles East and St. Charles North high school friends Calvin Reed and James Bryner. Their mission is to enhance infrastructure design to provide safe and accessible options for biking, walking, and public transportation. As avid cyclists and public transit enthusiasts, the teens say they are passionate about advocating for improvements that enhance the quality of life for those without access to a car.
In just over a year, Reed and Bryner have conducted a transportation survey for residents of St. Charles and the surrounding community to assess the public's freedom of movement, travel experiences, and suggestions for transportation improvements. They plan to release a full report summarizing their findings from the 200 individuals who responded to the survey, focusing on community members' experiences with transportation and mobility. 
Additionally, they launched a project to distribute free bicycle safety kits to restaurant workers in St. Charles, moved by the tragic death of a restaurant employee who was killed while riding home on Route 64. At the time, he was without a safety helmet. They successfully handed out nearly 35 kits, funded by a grant from the St. Charles Youth Commission.
During their meeting with Kane County Division of Transportation officials Tom Rickert, Chief of State and Deputy Director of Transportation, and Gretchen Klock, Regional Planning Liaison/Bicycle and Pedestrian Liaison, Reed and Bryner learned about the County's current multimodal projects (click here) and discussed ways Kane County is working to make roads more accessible for all transportation modes.
Kane County collaborates with local municipalities, Metra, Pace, the RTA, the Kane Kendall Council of Mayors, and state and federal transportation officials, as well as land developers and other county partners. The Kane County Board's Transportation Committee meets monthly to update and approve projects.
There is also a Kane County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, maps and an app to help individuals of all ages and abilities navigate walking and bike paths, facilities and destinations. (click here)
Reed and Bryner received praise for their advocacy in improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and for raising questions about the state of public transportation in Kane County.
Currently, Kane County is partnering with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning on the Safe Travel for All campaign. The Kane County Safety Action Plan is part of a regionwide initiative aimed at reducing and eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on the roads of northeastern Illinois. For more information, visit Kane County's Safe Travel for All page.
Further details about the Saint Charles Urban Design Advocates are available on their website. (click here)
