The Chainlink

Is South half of the Lakeshore path safe?

Apologies if this is a ridiculous question but is biking on the southern half of the lakeshore path safe in the evenings? 

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Permalink Reply by Ricardo Cervantes on July 9, 2010 at 6:58pm
Oh great question....I always tell myself that I need to look for an alternative to this, and always forget.

XV said:
Are there any good ways to avoid the navy pier bridge clusterfuck when getting to the south part?
Permalink Reply by Michael on July 9, 2010 at 7:39pm
Here's how I do it:

Get off the lakefront path at Michigan Ave (and Oak Street) and head south on Michigan, one block south of Chicago, to Superior. Turn left.

Go one block east on Superior to St. Clair. Turn Right.

Go south on St. Clair to Grand. Turn Right.

Go one block west on Grand to Lower Michigan. Turn Left. You are now underground.

Take Lower Michigan south, across the river, and go about a block south of the river, to E. South Water. Turn Right.

Go about 50 ft. west on E. South Water to Garland Place. Turn left.

Take Garland south and you will return to street level at E. Lake. Turn left.

E. Lake one block to Michigan. Turn right.

Michigan one block south to E. Randolph. Turn left.

Go east on E. Lower Randolph, and keep a little to the left. When it splits into Upper and Lower E. Randolph, continue on Lower E. Randolph, underground, until you reach the Lakefront Path at Burnham Harbor.

Continue south on the LFP. You have just avoided the Lake Shore Drive Bridge.

XV said:
Are there any good ways to avoid the navy pier bridge clusterfuck when getting to the south part?
Permalink Reply by Craig S. on July 9, 2010 at 10:02pm
I find a happy place and ride through the area, doesn't take long and it ain't no big deal if you've armed yourself mentally against the walkers, joggers, meanderers, tourists, other bike riders, rental bike riders, four-wheelers, Segway groups and all ...

XV said:
Are there any good ways to avoid the navy pier bridge clusterfuck when getting to the south part?
Permalink Reply by Old Tom on July 10, 2010 at 10:59am
The South Side lakepath is frequented by gangs of drunk, rowdy kids and broken glass is often on the path leading to frequent flats.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on July 10, 2010 at 11:46am
Old Tom said:
The South Side lakepath is frequented by gangs of drunk, rowdy kids and broken glass is often on the path leading to frequent flats.

Really?

Or are you just trying to ensure that nobody comes south to mess up your ride?

My daily experience riding the south side lakepath is far different from this. After years of riding the path on my daily commute, I have had less than a handful of "sketchy" situations, nearly all of which occurred just north of the 31st street beach, and all in the mid- to late- afternoon. I've had no problems early in the morning, and no problems on my late night rides.

I rarely encounter glass. Had my share of pinch flats over certain bumps, and have had rock fragments from the running borders beside the path work their way into my tires. I get many more flats riding through downtown than I do on the south side of the LFP, and most of the flats I get on the LFP do not involve glass.

Like other posters have mentioned, just be sensible and trust your instincts. The south end of the LFP is a much better riding experience. During the summer, I hate riding north of Monroe Harbor during the day. It's just too insane. Riding the path south of Monroe Harbor is much, much better.
Permalink Reply by Tom James on July 10, 2010 at 11:51am
I totally agree with Joe. I live on the south side, right next to the point as a matter of fact, and am on the path frequently. I run out there between 9 and 11 pm, I ride my bike in the morning. Never had a problem. I never go north of the museum campus because it gets too crowded.



Joe Studer said:
Really?
Or are you just trying to ensure that nobody comes south to mess up your ride?

My daily experience riding the south side lakepath is far different from this. After years of riding the path on my daily commute, I have had less than a handful of "sketchy" situations, nearly all of which occurred just north of the 31st street beach, and all in the mid- to late- afternoon. I've had no problems early in the morning, and no problems on my late night rides.

I rarely encounter glass. Had my share of pinch flats over certain bumps, and have had rock fragments from the running borders beside the path work their way into my tires. I get many more flats riding through downtown than I do on the south side of the LFP, and most of the flats I get on the LFP do not involve glass.

Like other posters have mentioned, just be sensible and trust your instincts. The south end of the LFP is a much better riding experience. During the summer, I hate riding north of Monroe Harbor during the day. It's just too insane. Riding the path south of Monroe Harbor is much, much better.
Permalink Reply by S on July 10, 2010 at 3:15pm
Old Tom said:
The South Side lakepath is frequented by gangs of drunk, rowdy kids and broken glass is often on the path leading to frequent flats.

I have to agree with the others. I've been riding the south side of the path for several years since I live in hyde park and there's only been one or two sketchy situations that I've run into in that whole time. Frankly, I find the south side of the path to be much preferable because it's a lot less crowded and quite possibly a bit more scenic.

Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on July 10, 2010 at 4:18pm
There was some sketchiness earlier this spring, though nothing like as bad as the North Side was getting, but the increased police presence seems to have taken care of it.

Really the South Side generally is fine to ride in at night. Of course you don't want to go rolling through Englewood at 2 a.m., but I'd rather be in a down at heels South Side neighborhood than a generic North Side one at night. You might be slightly more likely to be beset by rowdy toughs but you're vastly less likely to be beset by drunk frat boys, and the traffic is much, much lighter, vastly decreasing your chances of getting plowed by a random drunk.
Permalink Reply by Little Phil on July 12, 2010 at 9:26pm
OMG

Watch out!!! There's lots of non white people there!!! Those coloreds turn into demons I tell ya!
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on July 12, 2010 at 9:34pm
I'd give XV the benefit of the doubt that this question comes from a safety standpoint due to the recent northside violence.

Little Phil said:
OMG

Watch out!!! There's lots of non white people there!!! Those coloreds turn into demons I tell ya!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on July 12, 2010 at 10:01pm
I've never seen glass on the lakefront path. The only location where I've encountered or heard about problems with thugs is where there are lots of shrubs close to the path behind McCormick Place, and those incidents I'm aware of were few and far between.

Joe Studer said:
Old Tom said:
The South Side lakepath is frequented by gangs of drunk, rowdy kids and broken glass is often on the path leading to frequent flats.

Really?

Or are you just trying to ensure that nobody comes south to mess up your ride?

My daily experience riding the south side lakepath is far different from this. After years of riding the path on my daily commute, I have had less than a handful of "sketchy" situations, nearly all of which occurred just north of the 31st street beach, and all in the mid- to late- afternoon. I've had no problems early in the morning, and no problems on my late night rides.

I rarely encounter glass. Had my share of pinch flats over certain bumps, and have had rock fragments from the running borders beside the path work their way into my tires. I get many more flats riding through downtown than I do on the south side of the LFP, and most of the flats I get on the LFP do not involve glass.

Like other posters have mentioned, just be sensible and trust your instincts. The south end of the LFP is a much better riding experience. During the summer, I hate riding north of Monroe Harbor during the day. It's just too insane. Riding the path south of Monroe Harbor is much, much better.
Permalink Reply by XV on July 12, 2010 at 10:11pm
haha being 'colored' myself it was more an issue of parts of the southside being the lawless murder epicenter of the city

Little Phil said:
OMG

Watch out!!! There's lots of non white people there!!! Those coloreds turn into demons I tell ya!

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