Skip to main content
Governor JB Pritzker Illinois.gov Contact IDNR DNR A to Z

Bike Path Program

​Applications will be accepted 1/2/2020 through 3/2/2020!

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program was created in 1990 to financially assist eligible units of government to acquire, construct, and rehabilitate public, non-motorized bicycle paths and directly related support facilities. Grants are available to any local government agency having statutory authority to acquire and develop land for public bicycle path purposes. Revenue for the program comes from a percentage of vehicle title fees collected pursuant to Section 3-821(f) of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

BIKE PATH APPLICATION FORMS (NEW!)

BIKE PATH PROGRAM SUMMARY

What is the Bike Path Grant Program?

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program provides grants to eligible local governments for projects that develop or rehabilitate bike paths and/or acquire land for bike path development.

Application Deadline: 3/2/2020, 5:00pm

Grant Period: 2 years

Grant Amounts: $1,000,000 available; grants range from $0 - $200,000

Match: Grant covers 50% of project cost

Total Funding Available: TBD

Eligible Applicants: Units of local government that are authorized by Illinois law to expend public funds to acquire, construct, and rehabilitate public, non-motorized bicycle paths and directly-related support facilities.

Prequalification: ALL applicants must be registered on the State of Illinois Grantee Portal prior to the application deadline date. Click here​ for more information on GATA prequalification.

What fees are required for applicants and grant recipients?

The Bike Path grant program now requires a non-refundable Application Fee, and approved projects will be required to remit a Grant Award Fee.

What types of projects are eligible for grants?

The following types of projects are eligible for BIKE PATH funding:

  • Land acquisition of property in fee simple title, permanent easements, or long term leases, for securing a linear corridor/right-of-way to be used for bicycle path development

  • New bicycle path development (Must include trail construction. Site clearing and grading, surfacing, drainage, bridging, access control devices, fencing & signs are eligible project components)

  • Bicycle path renovation (may include site clearing and grading, surfacing, drainage, bridging, access control devices, fencing & signs)

  • Bicycle path support facilities and/or amenities (for example parking areas, access roads, shelters, lighting, benches, restrooms, safety lighting, potable water supply, and architectural/engineering services deemed necessary for proper design & construction)

  • Projects that have been awarded federal funds and have completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 engineering. (Applicants are strongly encourag​ed to contact IDNR Grants staff

Current Bike Path Grant Recipients

THE BIKE PATH GRANT NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY OPENS JANUARY 2, 2020 AND CLOSES MARCH 2, 2020 at 5:00 pm.

JOIN OUR E-MAIL LIST​ TO GET NOTIFICATIONS ON IDNR GRANT PROGRAMS