Mayor Daley not going to run for Mayor
The so-called biking mayor is stepping down.What do you think of the future of biking will be under a new mayor?
Views: 154
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on
-
Joel said:Was Daley actually that effective of a biking proponent? I mean in actual policy, work, etc. He can tout his green and cycling friendly position all day (and he does), but claiming to be something doesn't mean he actual does anything. I think Chicago has seriously fallen behind other big cities in making cycling a real mode of transportation.
I think Daley is, or was, a different kind of cyclist that most of us. I could be wrong about this.
I got the impression that a few years ago his family would go to Michigan for a weekend, he would go out an ride 100+ miles in one day, out-and-back to home or where ever they were staying. He would ride just to ride. He would ride alone.
I don't think he rode for touring. I don't think he rode for transportation. I don't think he rode in the city. I don't think he rode for entertainment. I don't think he rode for family activity. I don't think he rode for refreshment. I think he rode just to ride.
Again, I could be wrong about all of this. I suspect very few of us ride like he did, and probably can't understand why he would find it attractive. But - what difference does it make? We all have our different reasons for riding a bicycle.
-
Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on
-
I agree with Anne that Mayor Daley substantially helped improve our city's bicycling infrastructure from what it had been. I attended the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council Meeting yesterday, and I was impressed -- as I have been before -- with the intelligence and level of commitment among the people from CDOT, IDOT, the Mayor's office and Active Trans who work on making our city better for biking. Lord knows they sometimes don't get it right, but they are trying to tackle the problems facing our infrastructure with earnestness.
Mayor Daley stepping down is an opportunity for us as a community. As the months progress, let's analyze who we want as our next mayor, to help us implement the kind of infrastructure we've dreamed about. Cynicism is good, but let's not be blinded by it to the point of apathy and inaction.
All of that said, what do you guys think of 32nd Ward Alderman, Scott Waguespack. I'm told that he "gets it." He's apparently participated in the Ride of Silence. Here's what his website states regarding transportation issues:
Transportation and the CTA- I will demand accountability from CTA management and transportation agencies.
While most CTA dollars are not subsidized by the City of Chicago, we need to keep our eyes on how the system is operated and how city dollars are spent. We will continue to work with our federal and state legislators to bring funding to our ward to fix our aging transportation infrastructure. We are presently working with Metra to move in the direction of improving aging viaducts, bridges and support systems that traverse the city. I will continue to support programs such as Moving Beyond Congestion, and organizations that support other means of transportation, especially cycling and carpooling. We are dedicating funds to improve our bike lanes in the ward, and I support plans to improve and increase the number of bike lanes available for the growing number of cyclists in our city.
-
Permalink Reply by Davo on
-
Gives new meaning to mud flaps
Serge Lubomudrov said:We migh get a new kind of bike racks!
-
Permalink Reply by David on
-
I don't know Waguespack that well, but when you consider he's the Alderman for what is possibly the most active bike commuting ward in Chicago, a single line on his website touting vague undefined support for future goals is pretty weak tea. In the three years he's been there, has there actually been any improvements to the bike lanes in Wicker Park/Bucktown (that's not rhetorical, it's a real question)? I could be convinced otherwise, but there's not much on his website touting actual achievements. I like that he "gets it", but does he also get things done?
That said, does ATA or LIB or anybody send out candidate questionnaires and do candidate evaluations or anything like that, or do they avoid anything related to electoral politics in order to keep their non-profit status? Is there anything like a "Cyclists Democratic Club" in Chicago, a group that evaluates candidates, raises campaign funds, etc.?
Brendan Kevenides said:
All of that said, what do you guys think of 32nd Ward Alderman, Scott Waguespack. I'm told that he "gets it." He's apparently participated in the Ride of Silence. Here's what his website states regarding transportation issues:
Transportation and the CTA- I will demand accountability from CTA management and transportation agencies.
While most CTA dollars are not subsidized by the City of Chicago, we need to keep our eyes on how the system is operated and how city dollars are spent. We will continue to work with our federal and state legislators to bring funding to our ward to fix our aging transportation infrastructure. We are presently working with Metra to move in the direction of improving aging viaducts, bridges and support systems that traverse the city. I will continue to support programs such as Moving Beyond Congestion, and organizations that support other means of transportation, especially cycling and carpooling. We are dedicating funds to improve our bike lanes in the ward, and I support plans to improve and increase the number of bike lanes available for the growing number of cyclists in our city.
-
-
It is my understanding that Active Trans will send out questionnaires. Certainly hope they will.
Your questions, to which I have no answers, are fair and are exactly the type of questions that should be asked. . .
David said:I don't know Waguespack that well, but when you consider he's the Alderman for what is possibly the most active bike commuting ward in Chicago, a single line on his website touting vague undefined support for future goals is pretty weak tea. In the three years he's been there, has there actually been any improvements to the bike lanes in Wicker Park/Bucktown (that's not rhetorical, it's a real question)? I could be convinced otherwise, but there's not much on his website touting actual achievements. I like that he "gets it", but does he also get things done?
That said, does ATA or LIB or anybody send out candidate questionnaires and do candidate evaluations or anything like that, or do they avoid anything related to electoral politics in order to keep their non-profit status? Is there anything like a "Cyclists Democratic Club" in Chicago, a group that evaluates candidates, raises campaign funds, etc.?
Brendan Kevenides said:
All of that said, what do you guys think of 32nd Ward Alderman, Scott Waguespack. I'm told that he "gets it." He's apparently participated in the Ride of Silence. Here's what his website states regarding transportation issues:
Transportation and the CTA- I will demand accountability from CTA management and transportation agencies.
While most CTA dollars are not subsidized by the City of Chicago, we need to keep our eyes on how the system is operated and how city dollars are spent. We will continue to work with our federal and state legislators to bring funding to our ward to fix our aging transportation infrastructure. We are presently working with Metra to move in the direction of improving aging viaducts, bridges and support systems that traverse the city. I will continue to support programs such as Moving Beyond Congestion, and organizations that support other means of transportation, especially cycling and carpooling. We are dedicating funds to improve our bike lanes in the ward, and I support plans to improve and increase the number of bike lanes available for the growing number of cyclists in our city.
-
Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on
-
Waguespack is like 12 years old, if he somehow got into office he would get curbstomped by all the aldermen who have had Daley's boot on their neck for years and are going to be grabbing for every bit of power they can. Not that he doesn't have a future, but he's too green to pry away all the hands that will be grabbing for the wheel and steer it himself.
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Perz on
-
Okay, but what about a hundred mini Ditkas?
notoriousDUG said:Ditka doesn't care, at all, period.
This is why I believe he will make an excellent mayor.
Juan Dominguez said:You think Ditka cares about da cyclists?
notoriousDUG said:Personally I support Da Coach for Da Mayor, but that's just me.
Juan Dominguez said:It looks like all of us concerned chainlinkers will have to start looking at and talking about the upcoming candidates.
-
-
"Okay, but what about a hundred mini Ditkas?"
It would be close but still an outright advatage goes to da mini Dikas.
de one hundred mini Dikas would win by tree thousand votes to all the uder contestants combind.
Go Dika
-
Permalink Reply by payton on
-
FWIW, he did use his aldermanic menu money to repaint the area's bike lanes in 2009 or 2010 (can't remember offhand). CDOT has stymied attempts to add bike parking; CDOT doesn't have any more racks to offer, and trying to buy racks for CDOT has proven fruitless.
If you have any other ideas for improving cycling in Wicker Park-Bucktown, let me know!
David said:I don't know Waguespack that well, but when you consider he's the Alderman for what is possibly the most active bike commuting ward in Chicago, a single line on his website touting vague undefined support for future goals is pretty weak tea. In the three years he's been there, has there actually been any improvements to the bike lanes in Wicker Park/Bucktown (that's not rhetorical, it's a real question)?
-
Permalink Reply by spacemodular on
-
Damen going south from the 6 corner intersection (North, Damen, Milwaukee) has had the bike lane repainted this summer. This is across from Wicker park and right before Pritzker school on Schiller.
The police in conjunction with the bicycle ambassadors have had a number of events at the same intersection (North, Damen, Milwaukee) over the last 2 years. Traffic is definitely calmer there than anytime I remember in the past 10 years.
I am not sure if Waguespack had any part in these activities, but am guessing that he did. Anyway, biking is better in Bucktown/Wickerpark since he has been in office. Just my opinion...
payton said:FWIW, he did use his aldermanic menu money to repaint the area's bike lanes in 2009 or 2010 (can't remember offhand). CDOT has stymied attempts to add bike parking; CDOT doesn't have any more racks to offer, and trying to buy racks for CDOT has proven fruitless.
If you have any other ideas for improving cycling in Wicker Park-Bucktown, let me know! David said:I don't know Waguespack that well, but when you consider he's the Alderman for what is possibly the most active bike commuting ward in Chicago, a single line on his website touting vague undefined support for future goals is pretty weak tea. In the three years he's been there, has there actually been any improvements to the bike lanes in Wicker Park/Bucktown (that's not rhetorical, it's a real question)?
-
-
Thanks for that info, that's the kind of thing I was hoping to find out.
I'd note, though, that Damen south of North doesn't seem to be in Waguespack's ward, apparently south of North is Proco Moreno's ward.
spacemodular said:Damen going south from the 6 corner intersection (North, Damen, Milwaukee) has had the bike lane repainted this summer. This is across from Wicker park and right before Pritzker school on Schiller.
The police in conjunction with the bicycle ambassadors have had a number of events at the same intersection (North, Damen, Milwaukee) over the last 2 years. Traffic is definitely calmer there than anytime I remember in the past 10 years.
I am not sure if Waguespack had any part in these activities, but am guessing that he did. Anyway, biking is better in Bucktown/Wickerpark since he has been in office. Just my opinion...
payton said:FWIW, he did use his aldermanic menu money to repaint the area's bike lanes in 2009 or 2010 (can't remember offhand). CDOT has stymied attempts to add bike parking; CDOT doesn't have any more racks to offer, and trying to buy racks for CDOT has proven fruitless.
If you have any other ideas for improving cycling in Wicker Park-Bucktown, let me know! David said:I don't know Waguespack that well, but when you consider he's the Alderman for what is possibly the most active bike commuting ward in Chicago, a single line on his website touting vague undefined support for future goals is pretty weak tea. In the three years he's been there, has there actually been any improvements to the bike lanes in Wicker Park/Bucktown (that's not rhetorical, it's a real question)?
-
Permalink Reply by Duppie on
-
So does repainting a number of bike lanes make him a good mayoral candidate?
What I would look for in a candidate is his/her ability to create a balanced budget, solve the underfunded pension plan riddle, etc, etc.
Because making progress will cost money. If the city has no money we will never see large scale improvements to bicycling related infrastructure, no matter how pro-bike a candidate is
payton said:FWIW, he did use his aldermanic menu money to repaint the area's bike lanes in 2009 or 2010 (can't remember offhand). CDOT has stymied attempts to add bike parking; CDOT doesn't have any more racks to offer, and trying to buy racks for CDOT has proven fruitless.
If you have any other ideas for improving cycling in Wicker Park-Bucktown, let me know!
David said:I don't know Waguespack that well, but when you consider he's the Alderman for what is possibly the most active bike commuting ward in Chicago, a single line on his website touting vague undefined support for future goals is pretty weak tea. In the three years he's been there, has there actually been any improvements to the bike lanes in Wicker Park/Bucktown (that's not rhetorical, it's a real question)?
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next ›
Groups
-
Critical Mass discussion
262 members
-
Chicagoland Beer Explora…
203 members
-
Chicago Randonneurs
269 members
-
Walk Bike Transit
63 members
-
British Bicycles of Chic…
172 members
© 2008-2016 The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.
Powered by
