Some Eldridge Residents Are Fed Up: Why Walkable Cities Matter

A walkable city is a safe city – one in which pedestrians can safely walk and gain access to daily needs without a car being a necessity. A walkable city introduces several health and environmental benefits, helps create a tighter-knit more accessible community, and it saves the town money. I have studied and tinkered with urban design for nearly a decade, and I would love nothing more to implement that knowledge for the betterment of my community. Eldridge is better in terms of walkability than a lot of other cities and towns, but it still could improve. I’m not alone in this, many Eldridge residents aren’t entirely happy with the design of the city either.

What Residents Are Saying

It is important to recognize that many residents have safety concerns over car traffic in Eldridge. Many people have voiced these concerns, especially online. One resident is keen to point out that “If you live on the side side of town you will notice there are no playgrounds or parks for children. The only accessibility is bike path and you can’t get there safely from Lincoln.” Many residents are concerned about the safety of both themselves and their children. A lack of accessible green spaces for children is a fixable problem, and many have asked for change from the city council. Unfortunately, little change has been made and citizens feel as if they are shouting into a void, waiting for a return, but not getting one.

While Lincoln Road has been mentioned several times, there are other areas that residents feel are inadequately designed. One resident wrote that “On N. 7th in Eldridge, 25. We brought it up as a city Council meeting and asked for yield signs the (former mayor/council) replied 'Do you know how much street signs cost?' We have a lot of children living on this block and people are cruising up going 40+ or even faster.” It is important to recognize that many citizens don’t feel safe or comfortable in their own backyards, sometimes literally. I see you, I hear you, and I want change too.

Why Walkability Matters

As stated previously: a walkable city is one in which a resident could gain access to all of their daily needs without needing to utilize a car to get to those necessities. A town being walkable introduces several benefits, including but not limited to the following:

• Healthier citizens: As persons can freely traverse the town without needing an automobile, the barrier to exercise is lowered.

• Environmental benefits: With less cars on the road, less harmful products of driving a car are released into the environment, such as exhaust and brake dust.

• Tighter Community: If more persons are out in the community on foot, there will be more face-to-face interactions, which ultimately lead to a better community.

• Accessibility: If you don’t need a car to traverse the town, there is a cost barrier to local travel eliminated. Pedestrian-friendly architecture is often very beneficial to disabled persons as well.

• Saving On Costs: If you reduce the amount of pavement throughout the town, it is less surface area that you are made to maintain. Local businesses also see more organic interaction and the local economy improves.

Walkability and Youth Independence

A walkable Eldridge would reduce the burden on parents to constantly drop off and pick up children for school, sports, and other activities — I personally know how frustrating that can be. If the town were made safer and more accessible for walking and cycling, it would free up time for families, reduce traffic congestion around key areas like North Scott High School and the YMCA, and lower stress for everyone involved.

More importantly, improving walkability empowers students. Transportation is a major barrier to participation in extracurriculars, part-time jobs, or even just socializing with friends — especially for those without access to a car. In a town where many destinations are only safely reachable by vehicle, teens are left dependent on adults for mobility, which limits their freedom and independence. Students who can safely walk or bike to their destinations gain a sense of autonomy. It builds confidence and fosters a stronger connection to the community. It also makes the town feel more inclusive—not just for those who drive, but for younger residents, seniors, and those with disabilities or financial limitations.

A more walkable Eldridge would help create a culture where students aren't stuck waiting for rides or left out of opportunities due to lack of transportation. It’s about fairness, access, and helping youth thrive in a town that’s designed with them in mind.

State Of Eldridge: What Isn’t Working

While Eldridge does have extensive walking paths and sidewalks in most of the community, there is alway room for improvement, especially in standardization and access to other parts of the community. One area that could benefit from the addition of a sidewalk is along Lincoln Road on the southern side of Eldridge. Many have publicly voiced their concerns about drivers speeding down the road, with one Facebook user writing, “I have had to jump into the ditch twice walking. We have addressed city council numerous times that a sidewalk is clearly needed. No action has been taken.” Of course installing a path would require regrading and cost money, but the city spending money to improve the lives of its residents should be expected. Many feel as if we are shouting into a void. In the case of Lincoln Road, a sidewalk makes perfect sense, as you are linking housing around Rustic Ridge directly to the trail along First street, which is a clear path of convenience.

Too many errands require a car to complete. While many residents could walk or cycle to the grocery store, they drive the short distance instead, taking up massive amounts of space on the pavement. Many could walk to Whitey’s, but why risk getting hit by a speeding driver when you can use the drive through? 

Modifying Eldridge into a walkable city does not take away the ability of a resident to drive, or reduce their options; it would actually enhance it. With fewer cars on the road, we’ll spend less time searching for parking or waiting in traffic. With proper traffic calming measures, drivers are safer and more aware of their surroundings on the road.

How It Could Be Better

A Proposed Solution At The Intersection Of Lincoln and First Street

Making Eldridge more walkable doesn’t require a total redesign of the town—just smarter, more intentional improvements that connect where people live with where they need to go. Walkability isn’t about eliminating cars; it’s about making sure not everyone has to use one.

For starters, linking existing sidewalk segments would go a long way. There are areas where sidewalks just stop — forcing pedestrians into grass, gravel, or traffic. Standardizing sidewalk coverage across town, especially along major roads like LeClaire Road, South First Street, and Lincoln Road, would make everyday walking safer and more practical. These are not side streets — they’re thoroughfares people use to get to schools, shops, and neighborhoods. We also need to look at key connectors. For example, building a sidewalk along Lincoln Road would create a safe link between Rustic Ridge and the First Street trail, filling in an obvious missing piece. Even something as simple as repainting crosswalks, adding curb ramps, or installing yield signs where kids play could make a big difference. These fixes aren’t glamorous, but they’re the kind of improvements that make a town more livable.

Traffic calming is another essential piece of the puzzle. Tools like narrower lanes, speed bumps, and raised crosswalks can slow cars down in residential areas without major expense. Not only does this make walking safer — it makes driving less stressful, too.

Finally, we can look to other communities for inspiration. Towns like North Liberty and Marion have invested in mixed-use trails, small park networks, and safe bike infrastructure that connect neighborhoods with schools and businesses. There’s no reason Eldridge couldn’t do the same on a smaller scale. We’re not starting from zero. We have a great trail system, sidewalks in many neighborhoods, and a community that clearly wants this. What we need now is follow-through: better planning, more communication with residents, and the political will to invest in the kind of town we all want to live in.

Conclusion: What’s Next?

Eldridge is a community with so much potential—one that could thrive even more if we commit to improving walkability. This isn’t about perfection or overhauling everything overnight. It’s about taking concrete, visible steps that show residents their voices are being heard, and that safety and accessibility are real priorities, not just talking points.

What comes next is action. We start small: finish the missing sidewalks, repaint faded crosswalks, add signage where it’s clearly needed. We work with city council — not against it — by continuing to voice concerns and showing up with solutions, not just complaints. We ask for a walkability audit, or a citizen-led task force focused on pedestrian safety and neighborhood access. We gather feedback from students, families, seniors, and people with disabilities—those who are most impacted by limited mobility options.

If there’s one thing this article should make clear, it’s this: change is possible, and it doesn’t need to be dramatic to matter. A few good sidewalks, some slower traffic, and a mindset that prioritizes people over cars can transform how our town feels. Eldridge already has the foundation. It’s time to build on it. Let’s make Eldridge a town you don’t just drive through — let’s make it a town worth walking through.