Bicycle Friendly Communities

Fort Wayne, IN | Bronze Level

Recent bicycling investment: In 2011, The City of Fort Wayne completed construction of the Towpath Trail. This 6 mile trail was pivotal in creating 50 miles of interconnected trails within the 68 mile trail network. The City, with help from a federal grant, also has installed 135 bike racks throughout the downtown area and some of the major corridors in the surrounding area. The City also had Bike Valets at several functions and provided free parking for over 1000 bikes. Finally, Fort Wayne coordinated a Pass With Care campaign with a local hospital, where twelve billboards throughout the city and county with messaging for were displayed for 60 days.

Bicycling highlights: In a 2008 survey to the community, the City was astonished by the response of more than 4000 residents who resoundingly wanted more bike infrastructure. In 2009, Fort Wayne hosted its first bike summit which drew more than 200 people.
City staff and the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee produced the Bike Fort Wayne Plan, which was adopted in 2010. It calls for the development of a bikeway network that is integrated with the existing trails network. Fort Wayne already has a very comprehensive and substantial trails network with more than 68 miles of trails including 50 miles of interconnected trails. The plan also focuses on education and legislation.
The City of Fort Wayne is  currently working to develop a Complete Streets Ordinance to ensure that all users are taken into consideration in roadway development. The City is also retooling its dated bicycle ordinances to provide for safer on-street riding, and designing better infrastructure for bicycling.

Percentage of arterial streets with dedicated bicycle facilities: 13%

Signature cycling events: Fort Wayne is home to several signature cycling events that appeal to a variety of cyclists: Parkview Cycling Festival, Mountain Bike Mayhem, 2011 Indiana Cyclocross Cup,  Three Rivers Velo Sport Festival Tour, Trek the Trails (Tuesdays, weekly), and the annual Chilly Challenge (January 1st).

Some coming bicycling improvements: In 2012, the City will construct a 1 mile Safe Routes To School sidewalk project that will connect 11 neighborhoods with 5 schools. Also, the construction of the Phase 1-B of the St. Joseph Pathway extension will be completed, which will connect 10 neighborhoods, 3 commercial districts, 4 educational institutions and 4 recreational areas. The City will extend its bicycle network by 10 miles of on-road bike facilities that will connect neighborhoods with schools, and will design a complete streets ordinance.